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Canadian Pilots Bomb Jap Island
London, Dec. 31, 1945 - (CP) — Two Canadian Fleet
Air Arm pilots took part in the Royal Navy's recent attack on the Japanese-held
island of Car Nicobar — Sub.-Lt. B. L. Hayter of London, Ont., and
Sub.-Lt. D. J. Sheppard of Toronto — the naval affairs section of
the Ministry of Information said in a press release.
In one attack Hayter, 21, made a low dive on a group of Japanese soldiers
and, after a sharp burst, saw most of them lying on the ground killed
or wounded. Then he went on and set fire to landing barges.
Sheppard, 24, made three individual attacks on the island. On his first
low-level run he killed many Japanese soldiers as they ran across an airport
runway. Later he fired two landing barges, damaged military huts and attacked
antiaircraft posts and a wharf.
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Born in Toronto 21 January 1924.
Joined the RNVR Fleet Air Arm after graduating from school.
Started Pilot Course 38 at HMCS St. Vincent in May 1942.
Selected for pilot training with the US Navy.
Winged in the summer of 1943 he was posted to 1835 Squadron in October.
1835 being disbanded in December, he was then transferred to 1836
Squadron, part of 47 Naval Fighter Wing.
They boarded HMS Victorious in March 1944.
Was involved in the first successful attack of the Tirpitz, 3 April.
About this time he transferred to the RCNVR (on paper).
In June 1944, Victorious left for the Indian Ocean.
In December 1944 & January 1945 they were involved in several attacks on
Sumatran oil refineries & here is where he made his first claims.
Awarded his DSC in March 1945.
Victorious then headed East to join the British Pacific Fleet.
They operated with the US Navy during the invasion of Okinawa.
Here he claimed his last victory.
He was sent on leave to Canada when the fleet returned to Australia.
He saw no further combat as the war was drawing to a close.
After the war he transferred to the RCN.
Promoted to Commander in 1958.
He was CO of an Escort Destroyer in the early '60's.
He retired in January 1974 after serving at NATO HQ.
Last flight from Sunnybrook Hospital (Veterans Wing), Toronto, 2 May 2018.
So long brother.
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Toronto Airman Downs Fourth Jap
| July 4, 1945 - A Toronto pilot of
the Fleet Air Arm, Lieut. Donald J. Sheppard, Weybourne Cres., has
shot down his fourth Japanese plane in the recent British Pacific
Fleet attacks on the Ryukyu Islands in the Pacific. Lieut Sheppard,
whose first operation with the Fleet Air Arm was in the attack on
the German battle ship Tirpitz, bagged the Japanese plane after
a 20-mile chase at 20,000 feet. The enemy plane blew up as Sheppard
closed in and he was going so fast that he flew through the flames
of the exploding plane, burning the elevators and tail of his Corsair.
|
Don Sheppard |
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Victories Include :
4 Jan. 1945
24 Jan. 1945
29 Jan. 1945
4 May 1945 |
two Oscars
one Tojo
1/2 Tojo
1/2 Oscar
one Judy
|
destroyed
probable
&
destroyes
destroyed |
(east indies strike)
* |
5 / 0 / 0
*This was apparently confirmed later but according to Aces High, Don didn't know it at the time.
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--- Canadian Aces ---
Or check out
A great article on Don over at the Vintage Wings site
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