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RCAF FLYERS HELPED DEFEND SINGAPORE
Waterdown Man in Action Fought Over France
BEAT HUN FIGHTERS

With the R.C.A.F. Somewhere in England, June 1, 1942 — (CP) — Messroom chatter: First indication that R.C.A.F. flyers took part in the defence of Singapore comes with the news that Pilot Officer J.M. Barnes, of Toronto, has become attached to the Royal Australian Air Force.

Joins R.A.A.F.
Barnes escaped from Singapore and was taken to Australia, where the R.C.A.F. permitted him to remain to fly with the R.A.A.F. as a navigator.
Many Australian airmen fly with the R.C.A.F. fighter and bomber squadrons in Britain but this is the first time it has been announced that an R.C.A.F. flyer is to fly officially with the Australians.
Details of Barnes' escape were not available in London.
Germany's vaunted Focke-Wolf 190 fighter had its measure taken recently by Canadian Spitfire pilots, who drove off an attack on Boston bombers they were escorting near Abbeville, France.
W/C H. Blatchford, D.F.C., of Edmonton, shot down one FW190 in flames and F/L Frederick E. Green, of Toronto, damaged another. Blatchford's aircraft was damaged and he was obliged to make a forced landing when he returned to base. He suffered minor cuts and bruises.
Blatchford gave his victim such a blasting that he feared flying fragments would damage his own airscrew and wings.
"I fired two bursts into him at 250 yards," the wing-commander related afterwards, "and saw flashes in his fuselage, followed by smoke. I continued following and firing and he took practically no evasive action. The wreckage finally fell in flames.
"His No. 2 man, I knew, was not far off, but the last I had seen of him he apparently was being engaged by two Spitfires. At this stage my attention was distracted by what I thought was firing from two flak ships below, and while 1 was looking down I got a rude shock. From behind, cannon shells hit my left aileron, right wing and tire and missed my radiator by a narrow margin. The result was that my lateral control was unstable, my right flag was out of commission, the tire was burst and my landing gear was damaged."

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Dick Ellis & Rod Smith kicking back with S/P W.G.T. MacKay in the background

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NINE CANADIANS HONORED FOR VALOR IN AIR WAR
Commander of Famed R.C.A.F. "Demon Squadron" Receives D.S.O.

LAUD ACHIEVEMENTS
London, 4 Dec. 1942 — (CP) — A Distinguished Service Order for Wing Commander A. C. Brown of Winnipeg headed a list of awards announced today for nine Canadian airmen serving in the European and Middle East theatres of war.
Brown, commander of the famous R.C.A.F. demon squadron base in Britain, already had won the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded in today's list to Acting F/Ls W. M. R. Griffin of Toronto, R. I. A. Smith of Regina, P/Os Arthur Clifford of Unity, Sask., Frederick Waterman of Princeton, B.C., and Wireless Operator A. J. C. Van Rassel of Cochrane, Ont. Three men whose home towns were not known here got Distinguished Flying Medals, they are F/Ss F. H. Ballantyne and Warren H. Wortley, and Sergeant Russell Curtis.
Brown's decoration recognized his excellent leadership of the R.C.A.F. coastal command squadron. Griffin's was for varied types of successful operations, while Smith and Ballantyne were rewarded for good workmanship as Malta fighter pilots. Clifford, Waterman, Van Rassel, Wortley and Curtis all are fighting in the Middle East.

"Beyond Praise"
Griffin was praised for his conduct on "many sea-level reconnaissances in every type of weather, involving extremely accurate navigation and flying skill." Such sorties, the citation said, resulted in "much valuable shipping information."
"He has also led two attacks on shipping and locomotives over northern Holland. The officer's courage, leadership and flying skill have been beyond praise," it declared.
Smith has destroyed six enemy aircraft since he arrived in Malta. One day in October, he led a flight in "a determined attack on nine hostile bombers with a large fighter escort" and despite intense opposition, destroyed a Junkers 88 while other pilots shot down a Macchi 202.
Clifford was praised for consistently showing "the greatest determination and courage, pressing home his attacks regardless of the difficulties and dangers encountered."
Waterman was cited for a bombing incident at Tobruk last August when his aircraft developed engine trouble so that "evasive action was almost impossible." However, the citation said, "with great determination he proceeded to the target."

"Inspiration to Colleagues"
"Despite the difficulties of heavy gunfire and a concentration of searchlights Waterman with perfect calmness released his bombs along the jetties at Tobruk," it said, adding, "Waterman at all times has shown a sense of duty which has been an inspiration to his colleagues."
Ballantyne, who has destroyed at least five enemy aircraft and damaged others since July, on one occasion was separated from his section, but single-handed attacked three Messerschmitt 110's destroying one.
On another occasion the pilot attacked three Junkers 88s and while separated from his squadron was attacked himself by four enemy fighters. By "skilful maneuvering and great tenacity." his citation said, "he battled the enemy fighters and landed his aircraft safely." "Ballantyne," it added, "is a most courageous and brave fighter pilot who has played a worthy part in the defence of Malta."

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SMITH, F/L Roderick Illingworth Alpine (J4561) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.126 Squadron
Award effective 1 December 1942 as per London Gazette dated 4 December 1942 and
AFRO 2069/42 dated 18 December 1942.

Flight Lieutenant Smith has been responsible for [the] destruction of six enemy aircraft since his arrival in Malta. One day in October 1942 he led his flight in a determined attack on nine hostile bombers with a large fighter escort, and in spite of intense opposition by the fighters, Flight Lieutenant Smith personally destroyed a Junkers 88, while one Macchi 202 was destroyed by other pilots of his flight. This officer has always displayed the greatest determination and courage and during the recent hard fighting has been an inspiration to all. NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9606 has a slightly different text communicated from Headquarters Middle East to Air Ministry, 4 November 1942: This officer arrived in Malta on the 15th July 1942 and since his arrival has destroyed six enemy aircraft with one-half probably destroyed. On the 11th October 1942 he led his flight in a determined attack on nine Junkers 88s with a large fighter escort approaching Malta from the north. Bombers were intercepted before they could cross the coast and in spite of intense opposition by enemy fighters Flying Officer Smith destroyed one Junkers 88 while one Macchi 202 was destroyed and another damaged by his flight. He has always displayed the greatest keenness to engage the enemy at all times and his determination and courage during the recent hard fighting have been an inspiration to his flight and squadron.

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Periods of Leave Begin For Repatriated Fliers

Ottawa, Oct. 25, 1943 - (CP) - Complete with one small dog and 12 decorations, one of the largest groups of airmen returned from overseas now is going through the process of checking out at the R.C.A.F. Repatriation Pool at nearby Rockcliffe Air Station, for leave and duty.
The group includes fliers with long records in operations against the enemy and many ground crew remustered for air crew duties and back in Canada for flying training.
At their recent arrival by train at Ottawa, an R.C.A.F. band played as the train pulled in. Members of the Canadian Legion, Mayor Stanley Lewis of Ottawa, George McIlraith, Liberal Member of Parliament for Ottawa West, and a large group of airmen turned out to greet the veterans. Women of the Red Cross, co-operating with the legion, distributed hot tea and coffee, cigarettes, sandwiches and cake.
Group Capt. Geoffrey O'Brian, Officer Commanding the Repatriation Pool through which all returned airmen pass, assured them of a minimum of delay in their passage to leave at home.
The dog was Tommy, property of F/L A. G. Lawrence, D.F.C., of Brandon, a night fighter pilot. His feat in getting the grey, curly-haired dog out of England was considered "something" by his comrades on the home voyage.

Twelve Decorations
In all there were in the party six holders of the Distinguished Flying Cross, two of the Air Force Cross, three of the Distinguished Flying Medal and one of membership in the Order of the British Empire.
Two fighter pilots, who worked for six months or more at Malta during the heat of Mediterranean operations, were F/L J. F. McElroy, D.F.C., of Kamloops, B.C., and F/O J. H. Ballantyne D.F.M., of Toronto.
Other holders of decorations included P/O G. H. A. Marcotte, D.F.C., of Montreal, with two tours of operations and 1,110 hours flying on night bombing operations to his credit;
F/L R. I. A. Smith, D.F.C., of Regina, who has shot down six enemy planes; P/O W. R. Shellington, D.F.M., of Brantford; P/O S. J. Kernaghan, D.F.M., of Carttwright, Man., a Coastal Command pilot with four enemy planes to his credit;
F/L G. J. Gow, M.B.E., of Lethbridge, who was honored for special technical work in North Africa.

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JOHNSON WING BAGS 14 PLANES, DAMAGES SIX

By HAROLD MAYES
With the Tactical Air Force in Belgium, Sept, 27, 1944 - (Reuter) - W/C Johnny Johnson, Britain's leading fighter pilot, shot down his 38th German aircraft today as the Canadian fighter wing he commands destroyed 14 planes and damaged six in fierce battles along the Rhine east of the Holland salient.
Up to lunch time today Johnson's wing had brought its total of German planes destroyed in 1½ days to 23.
Another Canadian Spitfire wing, led by W/C Dal Russel, D.F.C. and Bar, of Westmount, Que., has a total of 30 planes shot down in 2½ days, 20 of them by a squadron led by S/L Dean Dover, D.F.C., of Toronto.
Four Canadian pilots got two kills each today. One of them, F/L Rod Smith, D.F.C., of Regina, attacked an Me-109 out of a formation of 10 German fighters with a four-second burst from 150 yards and saw it crash into the Rhine. Twenty minutes later he shot down another Me-109 as it was diving in an attempt to bomb the vital Nijmegen Bridge. The pilot of the plane was seen to drop out, but the parachute did not open.
Smith yesterday destroyed two FW190's and now is credited with 11 planes destroyed.
The Germans, who are operating in formations up to 50 strong, are taking a terrific beating in every combat. Although the totals are smaller because fewer German aircraft are engaged on a percentage basis, tactical air force pilots now are rivaling the first Battle of Britain days.
The Germans still seek security in large numbers, but their pilots are proving no match for those of the Allies.
Yesterday some German fighters trying to give close support to their troops between Arnhem and Nijmegen were operating at deck level while others gave cover at between 6,000 and 8,000 feet. But with continual harassing by Allied fighter patrols they met with little success.
The only time during the day when the Germans were on the winning side in a single air battle was when 30 of them pounced on six rocket-firing Typhoons, two of which are missing.
The Germans are using a mixed bag of aircraft at night in attacks on the salient area.
One Ju-87 was shot down last night, and the previous night an Me-109 was destroyed.
By day they are using some jet propelled Me-262s, which are a purely experimental type for bombing missions. Yesterday one was damaged by Spitfires.
With their road and rail links being attacked day and night by the Allied air forces, the communication problems for the Germans trying to defend their own country may soon approach a state of chaos.
The attacks on communications are being carried out without switching a single aircraft from tactical obligations in the immediate battle areas.
The whole weight of Allied air supremacy now is being used in a manner never previously achieved.

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FLYING OFFICER BERRYMAN
IN AIR BATTLES OVER HOLLAND
Takes Toll of Enemy During Terrific Action in Nijmegen Bridge Area

September 29, 1944 - While F/L George Johnson continues to lead Hamilton airmen in the destruction of enemy aircraft over France, the Low Countries and Germany, dispatches from the front line indicate the competition is keen and other Hamiltonians with new successes are crowding the leading scorer.

Downs Three
Over the Nijmegen Bridge yesterday, according to a Canadian Press story today, F/O Lloyd F. Berryman, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Berryman, 657 King street east, destroyed three enemy aircraft between dusk and dawn.
"Most potent destroyer was F/L Don Laubman, of Edmonton, who shot down four and damaged two others. F/O Lloyd Berryman, of Hamilton, Ont. was the next highest scorer with three destroyed and one damaged," according to the story.
"Laubman, whose total 'bag' now is 13 — all since D-day — downed his first two of the Wednesday total when his squadron, led by F/L Rod Smith, D.F.C., of Regina, eliminated eight German planes in an early morning patrol over the bridge area. Smith also shot down two to raise his total to 11.
"F/L C. W. Fox, Guelph, Ont., and Berryman each destroyed two others, and Fox damaged another two.
"Laubman completed his score in two separate afternoon patrols, while Berryman destroyed his third enemy plane and crippled another. Also during the afternoon F/O D. R. Jamieson, D.F.C., of Toronto, shot down a pair of Focke-Wulf 190's and F/L Baz Dean, of Cowansville, Que., drew his first blood by destroying a Focke-Wulf."

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SMITH, S/L Roderick Illingworth Alpine, DFC (J4561) - Bar to DFC - No.401 Squadron
Award effective 24 November 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 1/45 dated 5 January 1945.

Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader Smith has completed numerous sorties against the enemy. In four days he achieved the remarkable feat of destroying seven enemy aircraft. As squadron commander this officer led 412 Squadron on six missions in three days, during which period it destroyed twenty-seven enemy aircraft and damaged nine others. This was accomplished during the enemy's persistent efforts to destroy bridges in the Arnhem and Nijmegen area which were vital to our ground forces.

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Canadian Fighter Unit Downs 201 Nazi Planes

An Advanced R.C.A.F. Airfield in Holland, Dec. 18, 1944 - (CP) - Fliers of a Canadian Spitfire wing under G/C G. R. McGregor and W/C Dal Russel, both of Montreal, became the second to pass the 200 mark in German aircraft destroyed since the wing’s formation, when they shot down a pair of FW190's over Geldern in Germany.
First to establish the mark was the wing commanded jointly by G/C W. R. MacBrien of Ottawa, and W/C Johnny Johnson, whose fliers shot down five aircraft Oct. 8, raising their total to 202, and subsequently to 207.
The McGregor-Russel wing's total stands at 201.
The two Canadian units have destroyed 314 Huns between them since D-Day, scored more than 15 probables and damaged upwards of 200. In addition to crippling German road and rail transport with dive-bombing, as well as machine-gun and cannon offensives.
The first Jerry destroyed by McGregor-Russel pilots, July 19, 1943, was a FW190, joint victim of S/L Ian Ormston of Montreal, and S/L Bob Hayward of St. John's, Nfld. Since then many aces have been born within the wing. The most recent being F/L Don Laubman, of Edmonton, with 15 destroyed; S/L R. I. A. Smith, Regina, 11 destroyed; F/L W. J. Banks and F/O D. R. Jamieson, both of Toronto, each with eight destroyed.

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Victories Include : 18 July 1942 24 July 1942 28 July 1942 13 Aug 1942 11 Oct 1942 13 Oct 1942 14 Oct 1942 25 Oct 1942 7 July 1944 26 Sep 1944 27 Sep 1944 29 Sept 1944 5 Oct 1944 1/2 Ju88 one Ju88 one Ju88 one SM79 one Ju88 one Me109 one Ju88 one Me109 one FW190 two Me109s two Me109s two Me109s 1/5 Me262 probable [1] destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed damaged destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed [2] (126 Sq. BP952 "F") (126 Sq. aircraft "O") (126 Sq. aircraft "C") (126 Sq. AB465) (126 Sq. EP330) (126 Sq. EP573) (126 Sq. BR471) (126 Sq. BR311 "L") (412 Sq. ML113) (412 Sq. MJ461) (412 Sq. MJ461) (401 Sq. MJ448) (401 Sq. MK577) 13.2 / 0.5 / 1 [1] Shared with his brother Jerry [2] This was the first jet ever shot down in combat. Shared with Tex Davenport, Snooks Everard, Lloyd Sinclair & Johnny MacKay Score from Aces High 2nd Edition

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Obituary

The Globe and Mail of 24 April 2002 (among other papers) carried an obituary for Smith, giving his honours as DFC and Bar, LLB, and P.Eng.

"Died suddenly, Tuesday, April 16, 2002 in Vancouver. Predeceased by brothers Jerrold (Pilot Officer, RCAF, killed in action 1942) and Donald, Port Hardy, B.C. Cherished by his sister Wendy Noble of Toronto. Dearly loved Uncle to Jennifer, Donald and Roderick Noble of Toronto, Robert Snyder and Patrick Clarke of Fort McMurray, Alberta, and many great nieces and nephews. Will be profoundly missed by good friends in Canada and abroad. Rod attended Lakeview School and Central Collegiate in Regina. He was captivated by airplanes at an early age. In September 1940, at age 18, he joined the RCAF where his dream of flying Spitfires was realized. He trained in Canada and took operational training on Spitfire Is at Grangemouth, Scotland. As Flight Lieutenant he first saw action chasing Messerschmitts in the skies between Calais and Dunkirk. In May 1942 he was posted to Malta, joining RAF Squadron 126 of which, to his surprise, his brother Jerry was already a member. They flew as a pair, sharing in the probable destruction of a Junkers 88 bomber until, four weeks later, Jerry went missing and was subsequently presumed dead. During the fierce bombardment of the island, Rod shot down two more JU.88s, an Italian SM.79 and two ME.109Fs. In October 1942 he became Flight Commander and was shot down and baled out into the Mediterranean. After contracting jaundice Rod spent most of 1943 instructing and on leave in Canada.

In December 1943 he was posted to 401 Squadron at Biggin Hill which had Spitfire IXs, and in March 1944 became Flight Commander of 412 Squadron, Tangmere. During June 6, D Day, his squadron covered the Normandy beachhead, then the Battle of Normandy followed by a move to Brussels and in September covered the vital bridge at Nijmegen when the Arnhem airborne landing began. During this time Rod took command of 401 Squadron and shot down six ME.109Gs. He also shared in the destruction (in the air -jf) of the first enemy jet aircraft, a Messerschmitt 262, bringing the total number of enemy aircraft destroyed by him to 13 1/5. He was presented with the DFC by King George VI and later the Bar to the DFC. Rod returned to Canada in December 1944 and retired from the service in June 1945. He regarded his sojourn on Malta as the most vital period of his life.

Continuing his association with the Air Force in 1946, Rod joined 401 Squadron RCAF Auxiliary, flying Vampire jet fighters while attending McGill University where he received his P.Eng. He studied law at Osgood Hall, Toronto, and during the time was promoted to Wing Commander and appointed commanding officer of 411 Squadron from which he retired in 1952. He graduated from Osgood Hall in 1953 and moved to Vancouver where he was called to the Bar the following year. He first practiced with Lawrence Shaw McFarlane and Stewart, and later joined Campney Owen and Murphy in 1966, retiring from the partnership in 1987.

Friends and family spent many happy times on Rod’s boat, Kestral III. In retirement his home life was greatly enhanced when “Boofuls, his Siamese cat, took up residence, and it was in this period that he began, with great diligence and flair, to write his memoirs of World War Two. Attending fighter pilots’ reunions and researching his book connected him with old friends and fostered new friendships, some of whom were boyhood heroes, and many of whom were also writing. In Frankenburg, Germany, he visited the family of Heinz Heuser, whom he had shot down over Malta in 1942 and subsequently befriended. He returned to Malta for the 50th anniversary of the second great siege, and took part in celebrations in Normandy on June 6, 1994. The company of friends at the Vancouver Club and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club were a source of great pleasure to him, as were monthly outings to Boundary Bay Airport. Rod’s book was still in progress when he died.

Rod read widely and voraciously throughout his life. He was blessed with a prodigious memory, a fine intellect and a marvelous sense of humour. His interests ranged through poetry, history, music, astronomy and he kept abreast of aviation history and technology through his voluminous library on the subject. Rod made many deep and lasting friendships from all phases of his life. He was good-natured, kind and generous, and to those who loved him, utterly irreplaceable."

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His career is chronicled in Chris Shores' Aces High (2nd edition) & Malta: The Spitfire Years.
Also, Chris Shores has released a book called "The Spitfire Smiths" about Rod and his brother Jerry. Great read.

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Thanks go out to

sister Wendy for the photos & infos !