Repatriated to Canada in August 1944. Returned to UK, 20 January 1945. Promoted to Wing Commander and posted to 126 Wing on 27 January 1945, serving there until 6 August 1945 and then again from 21 September 1945 to 30 March 1946. Repatriated in March 1946, having completed three tours of operations. He was released from the RCAF, 3 June 1946 and got himself a job as a pilot for TCA (later Air Canada). Active in the RCAF Auxiliary from 14 August 1947 to 1955. In 1955 he joined Trans-Air Limited & became it's General manager in April 1956. In 1959 he was Vice-President in charge of survey operations, Spartan Air Services. |
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Discussing the days successes are Jeep Neal, Don Morrison, Jeff Northcott, Ian Ormston, Omer Levesque & Don Blakeslee
Canadians Bag 4 Nazis In Honor of New Chief
(By DOUGLAS AMARON) London, 23 Nov. 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.
Less than twenty-four hours after he stepped from a plane which brought him from Canada, Vice-Marshal Edwards went to the Canadians station and heard first-hand accounts of the engagements of the previous day, which are considered by air authorities to be one of the finest performances of the war in the particular type of operation in which the Canadians were engaged.
The Canadians, who also were credited with one probably destroyed and four seriously damaged enemy aircraft, were the toast of the station, and received an informal message of congratulations from Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air, and a formal message from Air Vice-Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, under whose command the squadron operates.
"Congratulations on a splendid showing. Well done, Canadians!" said Vice-Marshal Leigh-Mallory's message, read to all the squadron's personnel.
Like an excited crowd of youngsters who have just won a football game, the Canadians talked shop most of the day, telling and retelling about their combats with what was estimated to be a force of at least sixty German fighters.
Get First Huns
Attention centered on Pilot Officer Ian Ormston of Montreal, Pilot Officer Don Blakeslee of Fairport Harbor, Ohio; Sergeant Omer Levesque of Mont Joli, Que., and Sergeant Don Morrison of Toronto, each of whom shot down his first plane of the war.
It was a particularly satisfying day for Blakeslee, Levesque and Morrison. Levesque, in addition to his confirmed victory, came to grips with a second Nazi and last saw him breaking up in mid-air, while Blakeslee and Morrison also both inflicted serious damage on a second German plane.
The squadron's commanding officer, Squadron Leader Norman Johnstone of Winnipeg and Regina, and Sergeant Jeff Northcott of Minnedosa, Man., were given credit for the other damaged German aircraft.
"Those boys made a might good show of it," said Johnstone, beaming with fatherly pride. "The odds were considerably against them, both in numbers and in consideration of the sweep that took us over enemy territory. It was the first real flight for a majority of them, and they pitched right into battle with plenty of courage and no end of ability."
Ormston, who, with Flight-Lieutenant E. L. Neal of Quebec City and Blakeslee and Morrison dived into a group of Messerschmitt 109's and new Focke-Wulf 190's, literally blew his Messerschmitt out of the air.
Levesque, who said that "once in action I forgot the perils because things were happening too fast," forced the pilot of the first plane he attacked to bail out and shot part of the wing off the second.
“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-storing 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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1943
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Canadian Fliers Slam Germans at Week-End
London, June 27, 1943 - (CP) - Royal Canadian Air Force pilots shot down four enemy aircraft during the week-end, attacked enemy airfields, laid mines in enemy waters and blasted a train in enemy-occupied territory, it was disclosed tonight.
Two of the enemy aircraft went to S/L Charles Cecil Moran, 28, of Trenton, Ont., and one to W/C J. E. Johnson, an Englishman serving with the R.C.A.F. Johnson raised his score to 19 in a conflict near St. Omer, France. Two pilots shared in destruction of the fourth.
Moran, commander of an Intruder squadron of the Fighter Command, finished off his two planes over an airfield south of Paris on Saturday night.
Johnson and his wing were flying to Northern France when they spotted 36 enemy fighters and tried to engage them, but the Germans scurried away.
The Canadians jumped six others coming from the west. Johnson hit a Focke-Wulf 190 in six or seven places and saw it dive in a cloud of smoke.
Meanwhile, pilots of another Canadian Spitfire Wing under W/C Lloyd V. Chadburn of Aurora, Ont., were having a busy time escorting a group of fighters that were attacking an enemy convoy within range of the heavy coastal defenses of Holland.
Toronto Men Made Kill
In this action F/L Jack Rae, 760 Spadina, Avenue, and F/O Bob (Dagwood) Phillips, 207 Strathmore Boulevard, Toronto, shared honors in bringing down a Focke-Wulf 190.
S/L Geoff Northcott of Minnedosa, Man., and W/C Chadburn damaged an ME-109 and a Focke-Wulf 190, respectively.
Flying a Mosquito, Moran in the other encounter saw the light of Avord airfield and found five planes circling it.
"We stooged around a bit," Moran said, "and watched two land and two more take off. So we waited for our chance. A short burst of cannon fire hit one and when it went down in flames we were able to identify him by the light of his fire.
"He was a Heinkel 111. Ten minutes later we attacked a Junkers 88, he added. "There was an explosion and the plane hit the ground and blew up."
Seeing a bomb hit the base of a radio pylon at Bourges, Moran gunned the mast. He found a moving train on his way home and shot up the locomotive head on.
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AERIAL ATTACK AGAINST ENEMY GROWS IN FURY
Mosquito Squadrons Wing Deep Into France to Inflict Damage
QUIET OVER WEEKEND
London, June 28, 1943 — (CP) — A large force of United States heavy bombers attacked targets in France late today.
London, June 28, 1943 — (AP) — R.A.F. Typhoons and Hurricanes sank two enemy ships early today, drove another blazing on a beach and brought three more to a standstill after a night in which R.A.F. Mosquito squadrons winged deep into France to hammer airports and railways in the mounting Allied aerial offensive. The latest engagement was reported by the Air Ministry to have taken place off the coast of Holland where swift R.A.F. fighters found five enemy coastal vessels sailing in a line.
Attack in Waves
These vessels were attacked in waves and the final wave of flyers also attacked ships, believed to be tugs, trying to aid the convoy. One R.A.F. plane was lost, the Air Ministry announced, in contrast to the German high command's claim that nine were shot down. The Germans also asserted that the convoy suffered only minor damage.
Hurtling through intense antiaircraft fire, fighters closed in to 500 or 600 yards with guns blazing in the initial attack on the convoy. An explosion and yellow flames suggesting an ammunition fire burst out of one 800-ton ship, which was beached, the Air Ministry said.
One pilot saw a 600-ton ship sink within 10 minutes. When the second wave of planes came over, another 600-ton ship had disappeared.
Other Typhoon bombers arriving later found two more ships which looked like tugs ploughing to the assistance of the remaining two vessels at a standstill. One of these poured out smoke after hits were registered all over her, it was stated.
In the blows by the Mosquitoes the Air Ministry said two railway yards were hit, locomotives were raked with machine-gun fire and R-boats off Cherbourg were straddled with bombs.
There were no indications that British planes were over Germany during the night.
It was the first time after seven consecutive nightly attacks against the Ruhr and western Germany that the R.A.F. failed to strike at war plants in Germany proper.
It was the ninth night, however, of the current Allied aerial offensive against Hitler's Europe.
The week-end assaults slackened in intensity, however, from the punishing raids last week on the Ruhr and on airports and railway targets in France.
Bad weather hampered operations Saturday. American bomber crews returned with bomb racks still loaded because they could not spot their objectives through heavy cloud formations and following an air force policy of not bombing indiscriminately over France.
The R.A.F. and R.C.A.F. followed up Saturday night with raids on unspecified targets in western and northwestern Germany, and on objectives in France.
Nazi shipping off the Dutch coast was attacked Sunday by R.C.A.F. planes and three escort vessels and a supply ship were reported probably damaged.
Pilots attacking the convoy had a busy time. F/L Jack Rae and F/O Bob Phillips, both of Toronto, shared honours in downing a Focke-Wulf 190. S/L Geoff Northcott of Minnedosa, Man. and W/C Lloyd V. Chadburn, Aurora, Ont., leader of the flight, damaged an ME-109 and a Focke-Wulf 190 respectively.
(A German communiqué, broadcast from Berlin and recorded by the Associated Press, said 60 British bombers and fighters attacked a convoy off Scheveningen, the Netherlands. It asserted that nine of the raiders were shot down and the convoy "succeeded in putting into its harbour destination with only minor damage.")
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German Chemical Works At Leverkusen Are Hit During Night Offensives
Düsseldorf Is Attacked — Five Bombers Lost in Widespread Raids
London, Aug. 23, 1943 — (CP) — R.A.F. and Canadian bombers returned to their crushing attacks on Germany last night after an interval of two nights and the Air Ministry announced that the chemical works at Leverkusen, six miles north of Cologne, were the special target.
The German radio said that Düsseldorf, in the Rhineland, also was attacked and that 11 British fighters and a "number" of bombers were shot down in "random" attacks on other objectives in the western Reich. The Air Ministry described these as intruder patrols over railway targets and airfields.
The Air Ministry said five bombers were lost in the night's activities.
Canadian Plane Missing
R.C.A.F. headquarters announced that one of the missing bombers was Canadian. It said several squadrons of the R.C.A.F. bomber group were out with the R.A.F. and that at the same time R.C.A.F. Mosquitos on intruder patrol attacked railways and airfields in France and Belgium.
Over Leverkusen and other targets, heavy clouds made it difficult to see results, the air communiqué said.
Leverkusen was bombed twice in 1940 but has not been a specific target since.
Hardly had the night raiders returned than light bombers and fighter sped out by daylight today to resume the assaults.
The night attack ended a lull that had lasted since Thursday night when Mosquitos struck at Berlin.
Spitfires were out in force during the day and RAF medium bombers attacked the St. Omer freight yards. The Air Ministry said the planes were not challenged.
A Canadian Spitfire wing encountered more than 15 Messerschmitt 109s over the Gosnay area in northern France. The English leader, W/C J. E. Johnson, shot down an enemy aircraft to become the second highest scoring pilot still serving with the fighter command, with 23 victims.
The Vichy radio said American planes raided a place in Normandy.
F/O R. S. Middlemiss of Montreal, a member of the R.C.A.F. Wolf Squadron, damaged a Messerschmitt in the Canadian-Nazi scrap over the Gosnay area.
During these night operations, it was learned today, S/L G. W. Northcott, of Minnedosa, Man., was credited with shooting down an enemy aircraft over France.
Enemy raiders scattered bombs in East Anglia and also rumbled over southeast England last night. At least two were shot down. An alarm sounded in London soon after midnight but no incidents were reported.
Late yesterday marauder medium bombers of the United States 8th Air Force attacked an enemy airfield at Beaumont Le Roger in occupied France. Escorting R.A.F. and R.C.A.F. Spitfires and the bombers knocked down nine enemy fighters. One bomber and eight Allied fighters were listed as missing, but all the Canadian aircraft returned safely.
During the operation an unidentified Canadian squadron leader shot down a Focke-Wulf in one of the "great many" combats fought by the R.C.A.F. fighter wing, an R.C.A.F. communiqué said.
During Sunday, British and Canadian intruders attacked enemy shipping, airfields transport and communications, continuing the Saturday night train-busting expedition that saw R.C.A.F. pilots smash up a number of engines and enemy aircraft.
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Four Awards Made to Canadian Airmen
Ottawa, Aug. 28, 1943 — Air Force headquarters last night announced award of Distinguished Flying Crosses to S/L G. W. Northcott of North Minnedosa, Man.; F/L J. A. Rae of 760 Spadina avenue, Toronto and P/O A. G. Brunet of 22 Arthur avenue, St. Thomas, Ont., and made public the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal to P/O, then Sgt., W. L. Canter of 252 Grace street, Toronto.
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NORTHCOTT, S/L Geoffrey Wilson (J15088) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.416 Squadron
Award effective 12 August 1943 as per London Gazette dated 27 August 1943 and
AFRO 2322/43 dated 12 November 1943.
This officer, who has completed fifty-five operations, has displayed outstanding ability. He has destroyed three enemy aircraft and damaged several more. In addition he has participated in several effective attacks on shipping. By his personal example he has won the confidence of all with whom he has flown.
NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/4995 has recommendation drafted by W/C Lloyd Chadburn, 26 July 1943.
This officer has completed one tour of operations and is now starting his second. He has at all times shown a keen desire to destroy the enemy wherever they are found. He has completed 55 sweeps over enemy territory and spent four months in the defence of Malta. As Squadron Commander of 416 Squadron he has proved himself a very efficient and capable leader instilling confidence in officers and men of the squadron. He has personally destroyed three enemy aircraft, probable destroyed one more and damaged five others as well as completing a number of effective strikes against enemy shipping.
On 26 July 1943, G/C E.A. McNab wrote:
This officer is an aggressive and intelligent Squadron Commander who inspires confidence in his pilots and airmen. Through his personal ability he is deserving of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
This was endorsed by Air Vice-Marshal Roderic Hill, Air Officer Commanding, No.12 Group, on 1 August 1943 and approved by Air Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command on 11 August 1943.
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RCAF FIGHTERS DESTROY 24 ENEMY PLANES
London, 3 October 1943 - (CP) - Hitting hard at Hitler's
Western European aerial defenses, Fighter Command aircraft shot down 24
enemy fighters over occupied territory today, with Canadian aces bagging
nine of the total.
F/Sgt. H. W. Bowker of Granby, Que., and F/O
Art Coles of Vancouver led the Canadians by blasting two Germans each.
Others fell to S/L R. W. McNair of North Battleford,
who got his 16th victim in leading the Canadian Red Indian Squadron, W/C L. V. Chadburn of Aurora, F/O W. G. Dodd of Winnipeg, F/O Frank Packard of Montreal, and P/O John Hicks of Ottawa.
The Canadians, providing a strong escort for day-long bombing raids, met
and bested the Nazis in a series of heavy dogfights in which, as S/L G. E. W. Northcott of Minnedosa, Man.,
commented, "The Jerries were in a scrapping mood for once."
Two Canadian planes were lost.
Scattered 28 ME-109's
The biggest fight involved the City of Winnipeg and City of Oshawa Squadrons
which ran into 30 Messerschmitt 109's and scattered them after 20 minutes when Chadburn
and Dodd sent two German planes down to earth spiraling smoke.
Coles, former Dominion downhill ski champion, destroyed two Focke-Wulf
190's in separate engagements, blowing the wing off one. Packard's victory,
his first, was scored by riddling his foe at the top of two barrel rolls
the German made before Packard's Spitfire. Bowkers' pair came in a scrap between his squadron and 15 Focke-Wulf 190's near
the French coast.
Besides McNair's victim the Red Indian squadron shot down two other planes - making
a total of three of the seven Nazis destroyed by fighters escorting bombers
on the Holland airfields attack. McNair's engine gave out as the enemy
went down, and as McNair attempted to glide over the Channel he dropped
9,000 feet before the engine started again. This was the third time he
experienced trouble. Once he glided home all the way from France after
the engine failed, and another time he was forced to bail out over the
English Channel.
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Big Blows Delivered Against Kassel and Frankfurt By Allies
R.A.F. and Canadians Lose 28 Bombers in Assault Made During Night
London, Oct. 4, 1943 — (CP) — R.A.F. and Canadian heavy bombers hit Kassel, 91 miles northeast of Frankfurt, last night in the fourth big blow in six months against that manufacturing center for Nazi fighter planes, locomotives and other important war machines, it was announced today.
Aircraft from the Canadian bomber group were out in considerable numbers.
The assault was officially described as heavy. It cost 24 bombers.
Four of the missing bombers were Canadian. The R.C.A.F. participation in the raid was by Halifax bombers and their crews reported the bombing was well concentrated with many large fires started. At the same time Canadian Mosquitoes made intruder patrols over northern France and the Low Countries, without loss.
Today in daylight, American heavy bombers supported by long-range fighters swept into Germany and attacked targets in Frankfurt, which is 91 miles southwest of Kassel.
Today's raid by the American bombers and their escorts was the first daylight attack of the war on Frankfurt.
Split Enemy Defences
The twin blows followed the now-familiar Allied strategy of splitting the German defences, as the cities lie less than 100 miles apart, one east of the Ruhr and the other southeast.
While the R.A.F. and R.C.A.F. heavy bombers were delivering last night's major raid, light Mosquitoes dropped explosives on Hanover, 160 miles west of Berlin, in the second blow at that industrial city in six days. It was raided in force by the R.A.F. and R.C.A.F. on September 27.
Three enemy patrol boats in the Bordeaux area were damaged, mines were scattered through enemy shipping lanes and a Junkers-88 was shot down by still other Mosquitoes ranging the French Channel coast.
Five hundred tons of bombs were dropped Saturday night on Munich, the Nazi party's birthplace and a main supply outlet from southern Germany into Italy. The industrial city of Hagen was attacked Friday night.
The British-Canadian smash at Munich highlighted the obvious Allied intention to subject all of Germany to a two-directional air offensive from Britain and eventually from Italy — for it followed by less than 48 hours the first American heavy bomber raid on the same city from northwest African bases.
The American attack on Munich was carried out in daylight Friday simultaneously with, a similar raid on a Messerschmitt factory at Wiener-Neustadt, near Vienna. A communiqué announced significantly that both formations had been transferred recently to the Northwest African Air Command from Britain and the Middle East.
Heavy bombers, escorted by fighters, smashed at northwestern Germany by daylight Saturday and attacked port installations at Emden. Then, rounding out the week-end offensive, R.A.F. and Allied medium bombers swept out in daylight yesterday and attacked enemy airfields and other installations in France and Holland.
Besides battering airfields, these armadas bit another chunk from Hitler's western European aerial defences as escorting fighters knocked down 24 enemy planes, of which nine fell to Canadians. An Air Ministry official said this was the greatest number ever destroyed by the R.A.F. and R.C.A.F. in one day's offensive over enemy territory.
Top scorers in the weekend scrambles were F/S H.W. Bowker, of Granby, Que., and F/O Art Coles of Vancouver, who got two Germans each. Others were credited to S/L R.W. (Buck) McNair of North Battleford, Sask., who hung up his 16th victory; W/C L.V. Chadburn of Aurora, Ont.; F/O W.G. Dodd of Winnipeg; F/O Frank Packard of Montreal, and P/O John Hicks of Ottawa.
German fighters were out in force to combat the heavy weekend blows and put up some heavy dogfights. Summing it up, S/L G.E.W. Northcott of Minnedosa, Man. said, "The Jerries were in a scrapping mood for once."
Two Canadian planes were lost of a total Allied loss of 11.
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BAG 3 NAZIS, 5 LOCOMOTIVES
London, Oct. 24, 1943 - (CP) - R.C.A.F. Spitfire and Mustang squadrons today destroyed at least three Nazi fighters and one reconnaissance aircraft during a busy day escorting bombers, patrolling and sweeping Northern France. Five locomotives were shot up and a number of aircraft were damaged with the loss of one Spitfire.
S/L G. W. Northcott of Minnedosa, Man., shot down a Focke-Wulf fighter while his Spitfire squadron was escorting United States medium bombers attacking an air base at Montdidier, France.
F/O J. D. Browne of Forham Park, N.J., flying in a Spitfire wing commanded by W/C Hugh Godefroy of Toronto, destroyed a Messerschmitt 109 and damaged another during a sweep over France. Other members of the wing damaged at least two more.
P/O Gordon Driver, 14 Willowbank Blvd., Toronto, damaged a Focke-Wulf 190 during a melee in which the Canadians were outnumbered nearly 4 - 1. S/L Charles Magwood of Toronto, leader of the Red Indian Squadron, also damaged a Focke-Wulf.
From this scrap S/L Robert A. Buckham of Vancouver, leader of the Wolf Squadron, returned home with a damaged motor that had been holed by a cannon shell.
Details of other successes were not immediately available.
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Canadians Bag 4 Planes
Five Locomotives Were Shot Up in Raid Over France
LONDON, Eng., 25 Oct. 1943 — R.C.A.F. Spitfire and Mustang squadrons Sunday destroyed at least three Nazi fighters and one reconnaissance aircraft during a busy day escorting bombers, patrolling, and sweeping northern France. Five locomotives were shot up and a number of aircraft were damaged with the loss of one Spitfire.
DOWNS PLANE
S/L G. W. Northcott of Minnedosa, Man., shot down a Focke-Wulf fighter while his Spitfire squadron was escorting United States medium bombers attacking an air base at Montdidier, France.
P/O J. D. Browne of Florham Park, N.J., flying in a Spitfire wing commanded by W/C Hugh Godefroy of Toronto, destroyed a Messerschmitt 109 and damaged another during a sweep over France. Other members of the wing damaged at least two more.
WERE OUTNUMBERED
P/O Gordon Driver of Toronto, damaged a Focke-Wulf 190 during a melee in which the Canadians were out numbered nearly 4-1. S/L Charles Magwood of Toronto, leader of the Red Indian Squadron, also damaged a Focke-Wulf.
From this scrap S/L Robert A. Buckham of Vancouver, leader of the Wolf Squadron, returned home with a damaged motor that had been holed by a cannon shell.
TOP SCORER
F/O L. W. (Larry) Seath of St. Lambert, Que., was the top scorer in the Mustang Squadron commanded by S/L R. A. Ellis of Montreal West. Seath shot down a Henschel 126, a high-wing two seated army co-operation plane, damaged a twin-engined Heinkel 111 and immobilized an electric train.
Later, F/O Alan T. Carlson of Calgary shot down a Focke-Wulf 190 after a 10-minute dogfight while three other pilots from the same squadron — F/Os George Roberts, Calgary, Ian McLeod and E. (Gus) Garry, Ottawa, damaged another FW190. It was the second big day for this Mustang squadron which shot up 12 locomotives Saturday.
CRASHED IN FLAMES
"I spotted the Henschel at about 1,000 feet above low cloud," said Seath. "I caught up with him and gave him a good burst. Then he blew up and crashed in flames."
F/O Georges Burroughs of Toronto and an American airman flying with another Mustang outfit shot up three locomotives and damaged a power pylon.
P/O Francis Sorge of Pincher Creek, Alberta, attached to an R.A.F. Spitfire squadron, was credited with destruction of a Messerschmitt 109 while he was helping to escort medium bombers on an attack.
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500 American Bombers Blast Submarine Base In Biggest Day Attack
London, Nov. 3, 1943 - (AP) - The largest force of heavy bombers ever sent out by the United States Air Force — probably 500 or more — battered its way with long-range fighter protection through strong German opposition to smash the important port and naval base of Wilhelmshaven and other targets in North-western Germany today.
The raiding force destroyed 34 German planes, 18 falling to the heavy bombers and 16 being shot down by the escorting fighters. In other daylight operations over Occupied France and Holland, Spitfire pilots knocked down 12 German fighters, all but one being victims of Canadian pilots. Medium bombers destroyed two, bringing the total loss for the day to 48 for the Nazis.
The total Allied losses for the day were five heavy bombers, two medium bombers and three fighters, a joint Air Ministry and United States Air Force communiqué said.
The cross-Channel air war continued after dark with a short alert in London — indicating Britain's 13th German raid in 19 nights — and German radio stations went off the air, often a sign that the R.A.F. is raiding the Continent.
(D.N.B., German agency, said in a broadcast that the R.A.F. bombed Cologne Wednesday night.)
The record raid by the heavy bombers followed earlier sweeps over the Continent by 8th Air Force medium bombers escorted by R.A.F., Dominion and Allied Spitfires in attacks on enemy airfields at St. Andre de L’Eure and Tricqueville in France and Amsterdam-Schipol in Holland.
In other operations Typhoon bombers raided shipping along the French coast, damaging 12 barges and four boats
Today's attack was the sixth American raid on Wilhelmshaven and the third assault on which escorts went all the way to the target and back with the bombers but it was the fighters' longest trip. The other two-way trips were to Emden, a little short of Wilhelmshaven,
Vigorous opposition by groups of as many as 75 German fighters were reported by the fliers. But they were unanimously enthusiastic about the way the two-engine twin-tail Lightnings — flying close to the bombers while Thunderbolts provided high and surrounding cover — kept the Germans on the run.
Nine of the German fighters destroyed by Spitfires were victims of an R.C.A.F. fighter wing commanded by W/C Lloyd V. Chadburn of Aurora, Ont., and were destroyed as the fighters protected Allied bombers raiding Schipol Airdrome at Amsterdam. The other two were shot down by S/L Charles Magwood of Toronto and F/L John Sherlock of Calgary while escorting bombers in a raid on St. Andrew de L’Eure Airport in France.
Chadburn and F/L Jack Mitchner of Kitchener, Ont., each got two planes. Other Canadian victors: F/L Danny Noonan, Kingston, Ont., 1½ planes; F/L Arthur Sager, Vancouver, one-half plane; F/L Doug Booth, Vancouver, F/L Jeff Northcott, Minnedosa, Man., and a Toronto flying officer named Jacobs, one each.
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R.C.A.F.'S BAG DURING WEEK INCLUDES SUB
Ottawa, Dec. 17, 1943 (CP) — Mosquito pilots of the R.C.A.F. overseas destroyed one Heinkel 111 and damaged another during the last week, while the two-man crew of another Mosquito shot down three of four bombers destroyed over England last Friday and a Coastal Command Flying Fortress, whose second pilot was a Canadian, sank a U-boat after two depth-charge attacks.
In addition, the R.C.A.F. said in a summary of overseas operations tonight, Spitfire squadrons of the RCAF were active last Monday carrying out sweeps in support of United States Flying Fortresses and Liberators hammering targets in Northwest Germany. Two squadrons later escorted Marauders of the United States Army Air Force in an attack on Schipol airfield in Amsterdam.
Last Tuesday P/O C. B. Witt of Morden, Man., shared in the victory of a Coastal Command Beaufighter squadron off the coast of Norway. Two Beaufighters were patrolling when they saw a Dornier three-engined, long-range flying boat ahead. They immediately attacked it and set it on fire.
Crew of the Fighter Command Mosquito which destroyed three bombers last Friday was F/O R. D. Schultz of Bashaw, Alta., and F/O Vernon Williams of Hamilton, the plane's pilot and navigator respectively.
They took off to intercept enemy bombers attacking England and shot down a Dornier 217, blowing it up in mid-air. They then encountered and destroyed another Do217, accounting for their third victim after their own aircraft had been damaged and was flying on only one engine.
New Base Effective
The Coastal Command plane which sank the U-boat was captained by an Englishman. The submarine was the first victim to fall to a squadron operating from newly acquired bases in the Azores.
F/O D. Thompson of Westmount, Que., second pilot, described the second attack against the U-boat as "a beautiful straddle."
The Heinkel 111 shot down Sunday was destroyed by F/L Robert Kipp of Kamloops, B.C. The second Heinkel was severely damaged by F/O J. Johnson of Omemee. Kipp's navigator was F/O Pete Huletsky of Montreal and Johnson's was F/O J. Gibbons of Vancouver. The combat occurred in daylight over France. (Johnson and Kipp shared them both –jf)
Squadrons commanded by S/L E. L. (Jeep) Neal, D.F.C., of Quebec; S/L I. G. Ormston, D.F.C., of Montreal; S/L George C. Keefer, D.F.C., of Charlottetown; S/L R. A. Buckham, D.F.C. (United States), and S/L G. M. Magwood, D.F.C., of Toronto carried out sweeps on Monday.
In close escort of United States heavy bombers were squadrons commanded by S/L G. W. Northcott, D.F.C., of Minnedosa, Man., and S/L F. E. Green, D.F.C., of Toronto.
The squadrons commanded by Buckham and Northcott escorted the American marauders in their attack on Schipol airfield.
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NORTHCOTT, S/L Geoffrey Wilson, DFC (J15088) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.402 Squadron
Award effective 29 December 1943 as per London Gazette dated 31 December 1943 &
AFRO 297/44 dated 11 February 1944.
Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has participated in a large number of sweeps, during which he has destroyed four enemy aircraft, bringing his victories to at least nine destroyed. Squadron Leader Northcott's fine fighting spirit has been an inspiration to all members of the squadron he commands.
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1944
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Behind The Lines
 Jeff Northcott & Lloyd Chadburn |
August 19th 1944 - "Come on up and fight" is what the boys of the City of Winnipeg fighter squadron are saying these days to the Luftwaffe, as they escort Allied bombers, according to an R.C.A.F. public relations story But the German pilots, probably remembering the severe mauling the Canadian squadron gave them in months gone by — notably in August and September, 1943, when 43 German planes were shot down for a loss of only one Canadian aircraft, and that from engine trouble — seem loath to try conclusions with them. The Winnipeggers are distinctly bored and they admit it. They haven't seen a German in months and although they see all the bombing and have some bird's-eye views of the action in France, "We never get a shot at a German," says F/L W. G. Dodd, Winnipeg. The squadron's early days in Britain were exciting enough. The late W/C L. V. Chadburn, D.S.O. and Bar, D.F.C. of Aurora, Ont., was its wing commander in 1940 when the Winnipeggers landed in Britain in June. Their squadron commander was S/L G. W. Northcott, D.F.C. and Bar, of Minnedosa, Man., and a fine team he and Chadburn were. Such famous flyers as the late Paddy Finucane and the present leading British Empire fighter ace, W/C Johnny Johnson, with 35 aircraft destroyed to his credit, also flew with the wing for a time. None of the present pilots are "originals" of the squadron but a number of the ground crew boys are. They include Sgt. S. H. Baker, aero-engine mechanic, of Ancaster, Ont. |
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12 DECORATED FOR GALLANTRY IN AIR FIGHTING
Ottawa, 25 Sept. 1944 - (CP) - S/L G. W. Northcott of Minnedosa, Man., has added the Distinguished Service Order ribbon to decorations that include the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, it was disclosed tonight.
Northcott's award was announced by Air Force Headquarters with two other DSOs, six DFCs and three Distinguished Flying Medals for gallantry overseas.
Northcott won the new decoration for inspiring leadership in fighter operations over the Normandy beaches. The recipients:
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER
Sqdn. Ldr. G. W. Northcott, Minnedosa, Man.
Sqdn. Ldr. H. T. Tilson, Regina,
Sqdn. Ldr. D. J. Williams, Vancouver.DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
FO. C. J. Kirkpatrick, 149 Arkell St. W., Hamilton.
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NORTHCOTT, S/L Geoffrey Wilson, DFC (J15088) - Distinguished Service Order - No.402 Squadron
Award effective 26 September 1944 as per London Gazette of that date &
AFRO 2373/44 dated 3 November 1944.
This officer has completed two tours of operational duty and throughout has set an example of skill, gallantry and devotion to duty of the highest order. In recent operations in Normandy, his squadron has provided fighter cover over the beaches and convoy area, often in bad weather and, during these missions, Squadron Leader Northcott has displayed gallant and inspiring leadership. This officer has destroyed nine enemy aircraft.
Public Record Office Air 2/9159 has recommendation by W/C John Checketts drafted 11 July 1944 stating he had flown 303 sorties (450 operational hours of which 150 hours had been since his previous award. The submission read:
Squadron Leader Northcott is now completing his second tour on operations and has destroyed nine enemy aircraft, including two bombers, probably destroyed one and damaged six enemy aircraft.
During his first tour of operational duty in England and later in Malta he displayed exceptional ability and keenness as a fighter pilot during a particularly difficult period.
Since taking command of No.402 (Canadian) Squadron in June 1943, he immediately showed himself to be an exceptionally aggressive and capable leader and has led the wing on many occasions.
During recent operations in Normandy his squadron has provided fighter cover over the beaches and convoy area, usually before first light and after dark, often in very bad weather conditions. No.402 Squadron under his exceptional leadership has discharged its tasks in an exemplary manner in keeping with the traditions of the RCAF.
The inspired leadership and example set by this fine officer is worthy of special recognition. I therefore strongly recommend him for the Distinguished Service Order.
The Group Captain commanding Tangmere Sector (name illegible on form) wrote on 15 July 1944:
I have known this officer for a considerable period in Tangmere Sector and regard him as a fine natural leader and an outstanding Squadron Commander. He has been recommended for appointment as a Wing Leader on several occasions in view of his exceptional qualifications which are reflected in the splendid morale and efficiency of his squadron in which he has inspired and developed an aggressive spirit.
Squadron Leader Northcott now returns to Canada for a rest. I strongly recommend this gallant officer for the immediate award of the Distinguished Service Order.
An Air Commodore (name illegible) wrote on 31 July 1944:
Throughout this officer’s second tour he has show an splendid aggressive spirit and remarkable powers of leadership. The latter has been an inspiration to all who followed him, particularly during the invasion of Normandy operation. I consider his very large total of operational hours flown, coupled with his very fine leadership and personal successes obtained during the two tours well merits the award of the Distinguished Service Order to this very fine officer.
The award was further recommended by Air Marshal Roderic Hill, Air Officer Commanding, Air Defence Great Britain, on 10 August 1944, and approved by Air Chief Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Allied Expeditionary Air Force, on 14 August 1944.
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19 Canadians Decorated At Buckingham Palace
London, July 3, 1944 - (CP) - Three decorations, the highest number ever presented to a single Canadian flier at one time since Flt. Lt. George (Buzz) Beurling of Verdun, Que., was decorated, were handed by the King today to Wing Cmdr. Geoffrey Northcott of Minnedosa, Man. The fighter ace received the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar.
Nineteen Canadian Army and Air Force men and women were decorated by His Majesty at a Buckingham Palace investiture a few hours before he left with the Queen on a four-day State visit to the Isle of Man
While Wing Cmdr. Northcott refused to discuss the exploits which won him the triple award, records show him winning the DFC in August, 1943, after flying 55 operations as a Spitfire pilot and the bar to the DFC came three months later. The DSO he received for "outstanding actions over the Normandy Beaches" during the invasion of France last June.
Northcott is 25 and a wartime volunteer known in the Air Force as an expert in attacks on shipping.
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"The Last Patrol" by Lance Russwurm. Click on it to learn more.
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Victories Include :
| 22 Nov 1941 12 Feb 1942 16 May 1942 23 June 1942 26 June 1942 9 July 1942 13 July 1942 13 Aug 1942 27 June 1943 2 Aug 1943 22 Aug 1943 4 Sept 1943 3 Oct 1943 24 Oct 1943 3 Nov 1943 1 May 1945 |
one Me109 one Me109 one Me109 one Me109 1/2 Z1007 one Me109 one Ju88 one Ju88 1/2 Ju88 one Me109 two Me109s one FW190 one FW190 one Me109 one FW190 one Me109 one FW190 |
damaged damaged damaged damaged damaged probable destroyed damaged destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed damaged destroyed destroyed damaged |
(Spitfire AD418, "Y") (no identifiable aircraft) (No.603 Sq. Malta, "C") (No.603 Sq. Malta, "N") (No.603 Sq. Malta, "Z") (No.603 Sq. Malta, "N") & (No.603 Sq. Malta, "N") (No.229 Sq. Malta, "L") (No.402 Sq., EP120 "A") * (EP120) * (EP120) * (EP120) * (EP120) * (EP120) * (BM535, "A") (Spitfire coded JEFF) |
8.5 / 1 / 7.5
* - This Spit V (EP120 - below) is still flying today
and bares the paint scheme of the RCAF's 402 "City of Winnipeg" squadron's AE-A as Northcott flew
her.
It is owned and operated by The Fighter Collection based at Duxford.
The photo was taken at the "Sally B Party" in 2007 by Mike Sampson
& is copyright by Mike and used with his permission
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NORTHCOTT, S/L Geoffrey Wilson, DSO (J15088) - Officer, Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords (Netherlands)
Award effective 6 February 1948 as per AFRO 81/48 of that date.
Public Records Office Air 2/9293 has recommendation drafted when he was a Wing Commander:
In operational commend of No.126 Wing, Royal Air Force, stationed at the aerodrome Heesch from February until April 1945, through his excellent work has greatly contributed to the liberation of the Netherlands.
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| This photograph which is supposed to show Northcott, is, in my opinion, a photo of someone else. Who it is, I do not know, but Jeff's face is quite unique and I do not see how it could possibly be him. If anyone can positively identify it as being him (or someone else), please let me know. |  |
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Related Sites :
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Thanks go out to
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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