_________________________________________________ Forced To Bail Out, Pilot Loses Life As 'Chute Fails To OpenMichael D. Gould, 36, of 495 E. 126th St., Cleveland, was killed instantly at 6:45 p.m. Monday when he "bailed out" of the plane he was piloting and plummeted 500 feet into a peach orchard along Route 84 on the E. W. Moore estate in Mentor. He struck the ground head first, his hand clutching the rip cord on a parachute that did not open. _________________________________________________ Three Empire Air Forces Participate in Ceremony(By C. W. MacQueen, Staff Writer - The Globe and Mail) Camp Borden, March 17, 1941 - The air forces of three nations of the British Commonwealth were represented at the wings ceremony which marked conclusion of the training period of Class No. 16 of the Air Training Plan here late this afternoon. The graduating class was composed two-thirds of members of the Royal Australian Air Force and one-third of students from the Royal Canadian Air Force. In addition there were several officers of the Royal Air Force in attendance at the ceremony in the huge drill hall.
Squadron Leader G. A. R. Bradshaw of the R.A.F. pinned the wings an each member of the class after Group Captain R. S. Grandy, officer commanding the station, had addressed the graduates. There was a decided change from the procedure which has marked the wings ceremonies in connection with other classes that have graduated lately. Close to one-third of those who received their wings this evening were addressed as pilot officers for the first time, while the remainder were called by their new rank of sergeant pilots. Up until today all graduates under the Commonwealth Air Training Plan have been leading aircraftmen. Among those who received their wings were the following: Royal Australian Air Force:
_________________________________________________ CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER VISITS AIR-FIGHTER DEPOT
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(By DOUGLAS AMARON) London, Nov. 23, 1941 - (CP) - Canadian fighter pilots, who celebrated the arrival of Air Vice-Marshal Harold Edwards in Britain by shooting down four German planes over Northern France, were visited today by the new air officer commanding the R.C.A.F. in Britain and his predecessor, Air Commodore L. F. Stevenson. Get First Huns |
Victorious members of an RCAF fighter squadron tell each other how they did it. Left to Right: F/L E.L. "Jeep" Neal, Quebec City, Qc; Sgt Don Morrison, Toronto, On.; Sgt Jeff Northcott, Minnedosa, Man,; P/O Ian Ormston, Montreal, Qc; Sgt Omer Levesque, Mont Jolie, Qc, and P/O Don Blakeslee of Fairport Harbour, Ohio. |
“He Simply Exploded”
Blakeslee, who enlisted at Windsor, Ont., said he spotted the Messerschmitts at 15,000 feet and dived on them at 6,000. "All we did was dive and a one-second burst got my man," he said. "He simply exploded."
Morrison, who earlier in his first week with the squadron, scored a probable, spotted three Germans on the tail of Neal's plane.
"I came up from below and knocked off one," Morrison said. "He apparently didn't know I was there. Later I nearly joined three Focke-Wolf 190's which I thought were Spitfires. I took a crack at the last one and when last seen he was pouring out black smoke."
The Canadian fighter squadron co-operated with an English squadron whose members bagged another two enemy craft.
A veteran RAF wing commander with a personal score of eighteen confirmed victories led the combined English-Canadian squadrons operating from the fighter command's top-scoring station. The six planes destroyed brought the station's total of aircraft shot down since the start of the war to nearly 900.
"We saw fifteen Messerschmitts about two miles below us climbing hard," the wing commander said in describing the action. "Leaving the British squadron on top, I sent down several sections of the Canadians to attack. I stayed with the others, keeping a look-out in case assistance was wanted. It wasn't. Those boys just sailed into the German fighters and they were a grand sight to watch, whooping down and mixing it with the Hun
Chased Into France
"After the fight had been going on for some time our pilots started to chase the Messerschmitts deeper into France, and, as I didn't want them to get too widely scattered, I told them over the radio to come back and call it off. It was well that they did, for another bunch of Messerschmitts had approached higher up."
The wing commander sent the English squadron after these, and one German fighter promptly was sent smoking down to earth. Both squadrons then started for home, running into another batch of enemy fighters on the way.
During the flight home Levesque, who transferred to the air force from a French-Canadian army unit, got his Nazi.
"He was having a tough struggle," the wing commander said. "The Messerschmitt he was fighting finally plunged into a wood just inside the French coast and exploded like a bomb."
Over the coast and the Channel the squadrons met more German fighters in ones and twos, and the commander estimated that they encountered about sixty in all.
"Really," he said, "it was a grand afternoon for both squadrons."
J. P. Bickel, Toronto mine owner, who has held positions of importance in the Ministry of Aircraft Production, arrived with Air Vice-Marshal Edwards, as did Brigadier G. R. Turner, who is returning to his post at Canadian Corps Headquarters after a visit to Canada.
Mr. Bickel was met by Sir Archibald Rowlands, Permanent Secretary of the Aircraft Production Ministry. He said he was here "for a couple of weeks."
Flight Lieutenant Bill Broadribb of Ottawa also accompanied Edwards.
The flight across the Atlantic was described as "cold.”
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By LOUIS V. HUNTER. An R.A.F. Station Somewhere in England, March 1, 1942 - (CP) - Canadian fighter pilots and bomber crews took part in Saturday's paratroop-Commando raid that destroyed an enemy wireless location station at Bruneval, France, but for a Canadian Spitfire squadron which formed part of the umbrella for the raid the dawn job was just the start of the day's work.
A few hours after the squadron completed what its members called a "routine patrol" it was in action again. It escorted Blenheim bombers in Saturday's daylight attack on Ostend, during which Sergeant Pilot Don Morrison, young Toronto flier who is the squadron's "high man," added to his score one plane probably shot down and one damaged. His tally had stood on Feb. 21 at two destroyed, two probables and one damaged.
Flight Lieutenant Al Harley of London, Ont., was one of those in charge of a section of Spitfires guarding the vessels carrying the returning paratroops. The squadron's commanding officer, Squadron Leader A. G. Douglas, R.A.F., and Flight Lieutenant Gene Neal of Quebec City were in charge of the other sections.
"It was just like an ordinary patrol," said lanky Flight Lieutenant Harley. "There wasn't a thing around, and I didn't even see the ships."
Pilot Officer Hugh Merritt of, Smithville, Ont., agreed it was a "dull trip." He said he met the convoy about midway across the Channel and "saw the ships all right, but I don't know yet what they did."
The airmen in Harley's section were Flight Sergeant Deane Macdonald of Toronto, Flight Sergeant Jack Ferguson of Victoria, a former star of the Calgary Bronks football team, and Sergeant Pilot Gerry Clarke of Winnipeg, who was reported missing after the afternoon operation.
Sergeant Pilot Jack Aubrey Ferguson of South Port Morien, N.S.; Flight Sergeant Jim Whitman of Edmonton, Pilot Officer Ian Ormston of Montreal, Pilot Officer Don Blakeslee of Cleveland, Ohio, and Morrison were the other pilots in the fighter screen.
Canadians in Crews
Canadian members of the crews of the Wellingtons and Whitleys, which carried the paratroops, included, besides pilots whose names are not immediately available: Flight Sergeant A. Bradshaw of. Edmonton, Wireless Operator-Air Gunner Sergeants L. J. Narveau of Cornwall, Ont. , and L. D. Jackson of Saint John, N.B., Air Gunner R. J. Heather of Toronto, Observer J. Dremers of Timmins, Ont., Wireless Operator-Air Gunners A. E. Shaw of Paris, Ont., and R. W. Taylor of Victoria, Observer T. R. Cattle of Toronto, Air Gunners D. F. Campbell of Toronto, R. J. Chisholm of Vancouver and H. W. Bydwell of Montreal and Wireless Operator-Air Gunner H. F. Tice of Hamilton, Ont.
During the second escort job of the day Morrison tackled a Focke-Wulf 190 which was roaring in to attack Ormston. It was the second time the dark-haired Toronto youngster had saved his Montreal companion from attack by a Nazi aircraft.
"Ormy," Morrison said, "was about 100 yards in front of me when the 190 suddenly appeared about fifty yards over my head, going for Ormy. I sort of pulled up after him and chased him around, but I took a squirt at him and saw the shells explode in the front of his cockpit. He just rolled over and went down in a dive with a trail of smoke behind him."
Went for Two More
Morrison followed the Nazi down to 12,000 feet in an 8,000-foot dive, but had to leave him "because I saw two more Jerries over on my left and went for them."
"They attacked a bunch of Spits," he continued. "One of them broke off and I took a squirt. He started shooting out black smoke and I was just about to close in and administer the coup de grace when two more Jerries came down and began to circle around. I figured it was time to go home—and did."
Morrison and his companions were uncertain what happened to Clarke. The Toronto flier said he did not see Clarke during the action and Harvey said he heard the Winnipegger report over his radiotelephone that he had been hit.
"We ran into a bunch of 190's on the way back and apparently one of them went for Clarke," Harvey said. "I heard him say his aircraft was hit but that he was all right. Later some one in another squadron saw a Spit going down and it must have been Gerry."
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BLAKESLEE, F/L Donald James Mathew (J4551) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.133 Sq.
Award effective 23 July 1942 as per London Gazette dated 14 August 1942 &
AFRO 1413/42 dated 4 September 1942.
This officer has completed a large number of sorties over enemy territory. He has destroyed one, probably two, and damaged several more hostile aircraft. He is a fine leader whose keenness has proved most inspiring.
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Late in the day, members of the Third American Eagle Squadron made a series of small-scale sweeps which "kept the enemy busy" over a 180-mile strip of the Channel invasion coast from Le Havre, up the coast to Dieppe and Abbeville, and over to Ostend, in Belgium, the Air Ministry announced. (Right) - The name of the game is Casino. In this photo from 22 May 1942, members of 401 Squadron kill time as they await the call to arms. In the foreground, Flight Sergeants C.S. Pope (left) and Ian MacLennan (who left for Malta a few days later) have a go while Sergeant Frank Duff and Pilot Officer Jack Tucker duel it out beside them. Looking on is Flight Sergeant Don Morrison who happens to be sitting on Blakeslee's box of personal belongings which are waiting to be transferred to Blakeslee's new home. |
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In "Fourth Mission Of The Day" by Gil Cohen, Blakeslee in depicted leaving his Spitfire after completing his 4th sortie on this long and harrowing day which saw approximately 5,000 Canadians, 1,000 British commandos and 50 American Army Rangers test German defenses by landing on the beaches of Dieppe. August 19th 1942, "Operation Jubilee" is now considered to have been one of the greatest air battles of the Second World War. Unlike D-Day, at Dieppe the Germans came out in force and the Allies had their single worst day of losses with 119 planes failing to return. The Luftwaffe, now with the "home-court" advantage, fared better with only 46 planes lost. Blakeslee was one of the fortunate ones, not only did he survive but he managed to destroy a Do217, probably destroy a FW190 and damage two other FW190s. |
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1944
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LONDON, Eng. 29 May 1944 -Two great American air forces totaling perhaps 3,700 heavy bombers and fighters struck synchronized blows from Britain and Italy today at eight Nazi aircraft factories and two airdromes in Eastern Germany, Poland, Austria, France, Belgium and Yugoslavia.
Preliminary reports of big scale activity supplementing the two heavy bomber broadsides suggested that the day's sorties might approach if not exceed a total of 6,000. SOME ARE LOST |
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From BETTY KNOX, 12 June 1944 - The Old Eagle Squadron hatched a brood of fledgling flyers and pushed them out of the nest in the fighter-bomber Mustang on D-Day.
Only five of the original Eagle Squadron are left now. Once there were 75 members of the unit that flew with the R.A.F. before America entered the war.
Don Blakeslee's fighter group, transferred to the U.S.A.A.F. in the fall of 1942. It is the highest scoring group in the U.S. Air Force, having accounted for 200 enemy airplanes in the air and 186 on the ground in the three months before D-Day.
Of the five veterans who remain, only three flew with the old outfit on "D" day.
The bulk of the squadron is made up of relatively new boys. Some of them in fact arrived the day before "D" day; since then these 19 and 20-year-olds, young in comparison with the old hands, are now flying from one to three missions a day.
In the ranks of Blakeslee's group are four of America's top five Fighter aces, none of whom has less than 27 kills to his credit. They are: Major James A. Goodson, with 30; Captain Don Gentile, with 30; Captain John Godfrey, with 29; and First Lieutenant Ralph Hofer, with 29.
The fifth, Major Bob Johnson, with 27, flies a Thunderbolt.
D-Day was an unlucky day for three of the big five.
After flying in all the major shows since the tough old days, Gentile, Godfrey and Johnson could not keep the most important date in their flying lives, because they were on long-overdue leave in the United States.
Crash-landed
As for Lieutenant Hofer, D-Day was different.
Two enemy troop trains did not get where they were going, or anywhere, because at 7 a.m. Hofer stopped them - with our bombs.
Major Goodson says it was a good day considering everything. With Goodson, "everything" includes almost not getting back. But he thinks he's pretty lucky. He is the only one of the five aces who is in Britain today.
That is because yesterday Hofer crash-landed on an emergency strip on the Allied beach-head. Hofer is doing O.K.
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13 Sept. 1944 - Lake County joins with Fairport in rejoicing over the safe arrival home of Col. Don Blakeslee, Eighth Air Force Mustang group commander, one of the outstanding heroes of World War II. MRS. GERALD JONES AND HER FAMOUS SON - Col. Don J. M. Blakeslee,
27-year-old commander |
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To Honor Ace Tonight14 September 1944 - Thousands plan to pay tribute tonight to Col. Don Blakeslee, Fairport's modest hero who won his way to fame the hard way and now is flight commander of the Eighth Army Air force. An international hero, Col. Blakeslee began his career in 1940 when he left the employ of the Diamond Alkali Co. in Fairport to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air force, in pursuance of his desire to make flying his life's work.
Col. Don Blakeslee |
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16 September 1944 - Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Jones of Fairport and Col. Don Blakeslee, Eighth Air force Flight commander, today expressed their appreciation for the reception given the famous war hero here Thursday.
They lauded the committee in charge, officials, all participants in the parades and program, and all who honored Col. Blakeslee in any way. Mrs. Jones expressed thanks also for the lovely corsages presented to her and for the patriotic bouquet sent to her son.
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401 Sq. 18 Nov1941 22 Nov 1941 8 Dec 1941 28 April 1942 30 May 1942 27 Jun 1942 133 Sq. 27 June 1942 18 Aug 1942 19 Aug 1942 4FG 15 Apr 1943 14 May 1943 20 Dec 1943 7 Jan 1944 6 Mar 1944 16 Mar 1944 18 Mar 1944 23 Mar 1944 22 Apr 1944 24 Apr 1944 30 Apr 1944 29 May 1944 2 July 1944 |
one Me109 one Me109 one Me109 one Me109 two FW190 one FW190 one Ju88 one Ju88 one FW190 one Do217 one FW190 two FW190s one FW190 one FW190 one Me110 one FW190 one Me210 one Me110 one FW190 one FW190 one He177 two Me109s 1.5 FW190 one FW109s 3/4 Seaplanes* one Me410 one Me109 |
damaged destroyed & damaged damaged probables damaged damaged damaged destroyed destroyed, probable & damaged destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed damaged destroyed damaged destroyed OTG destroyed destroyed damaged destroyed OTW destroyed destroyed |
14.5 / 3 / 11
plus 1.75 (& possibly 2 more w/401 sq.) On the Ground or Water
* 1/4 share of three (3 seaplanes destroyed On The Water by 4 pilots)
He is thought to have 'given' kills to new pilots on occasion therefore his score may be somewhat higher
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It is believed Blakeslee holds the record for the most combat hours
flown by an American during the war
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CLEVELAND, 17 Jan. 1946 - Seven of the nation's high-scoring Army Air force pilots will be honored here tomorrow at the heroes' day luncheon at the National Aircraft show.
Among the aces to be feted are Col. Don Blakeslee of Fairport, O., who scored 15 air victories, and Capt. Don Gentile of Piqua, Ohio's leading flyer with 32 victories.
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By WILLIAM JORDEN TOKYO, 11 January 1951 - (AP) - Two of America's top World War II aces, once friendly rivals in battles against Hitler's Luftwaffe, are competing with each other again against the Red enemy in Korea.
They are Lt. Cols. John C. Meyer of Forest Hills, N.Y., and Donald J. M. Blakeslee of Fairport, O.
They lead units equipped with America's latest types of Jet fighter planes.
Both fliers made amazing records over Europe.
Johnny Meyer is America's leading living ace from World War II. As commander of the 56th Fighter Group, Meyer was credited with 37½ victories. His group accounted for 1,011 enemy planes.
Don Blakeslee commanded the 4th Fighter Group in Europe. The outfit was credited with 1,016½ kills. Blakeslee himself piled up more combat time than anyone has ever flown in a single engine plane — more than 1,200 hours.
Blakeslee beat Meyer to the punch by taking his 27th Fighter Group out on its first combat mission in Korea Dec 7. Meyer, who now commands Blakeslee's old Fourth Fighter Group, was nine days behind.
The two aces have reversed their loyalties to aircraft. During World War II Blakeslee flew an F-51 Mustang, made by the North American Company. Now his outfit is equipped with Republic F-84 Thunderjets.
Meyer, in his World War II days, was devoted to his Republic F-47 Thunderbolt. He has switched to North American's F-86 Sabre, which he calls "the finest fighter plane I have ever flown."
The two fighting airmen are now in the air over Korea hammering hard at Communist targets. Meyer already has scored a victory over one Russian made MIG-15 jet. Blakeslee has taken his Thunderjet group out on many a close support mission, flying low over the front and raking enemy troops and supplies.
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On these pages I use Hugh Halliday's extensive research which includes info from numerous sources; newspaper articles via the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC); the Google News Archives; the London Gazette Archives and other sources both published and private.
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