Back in Britain 11 April 1944. With 443 Squadron from 30 April to 22 October 1944 Returned to Canada, 27 November 1944 Various short postings (Lachine, Moncton, No.1 NA65 Yarmouth & 161 Sqn.) in Maritimes area until his release on 18 January 1946 Postwar he finished pre-medical studies but then sold insurance as the Medical Schools were all full Award for DFC presented 16 April 1948 Rejoined the RCAF, 18 June 1951 attending the Officer's School in London, Ont. and PRST, Calgary Early in 1952 he attended No.1 OTU (F) at Chatham and was subsequently posted to 430 Squadron at North Bay Killed in a flying accident, 24 June 1952. He apparently tried to force-land a Sabre after engine failure During the war he claimed 167 sorties (202 hours) in North Africa, and his second tour was 134 sorties; total combat time in two tours was 388 hours ten minutes. |
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CANADIAN PILOTS IN LEADING ROLE BLASTING ROMMEL
Sgt. John Maloney, of Hamilton, Among Flyers Fighting in Middle East
Dominion Airmen Battering at Supply Lines Constantly, Strafe Troops
The following dispatch has been received from Flight Lieutenant Kenneth MacGillivray, public relations officer, R.C.A.F., in the Middle East, and former Hamilton newspaperman.
At an R.A.F. Airport Beyond Tripoli, Jan. 28, 1943 — (Delayed) — (BUP) — Battering at enemy supply columns and transport whenever they show themselves, Canadian pilots in R.A.F. fighter squadrons are maintaining the strafing operations which played such an important part in Rommel's exodus from Tripolitania.
Leading his flight in daily patrols over enemy territory, Flight-Lieutenant Gordon Troke, of Wolfville, N.S., has destroyed an estimated 31 enemy Lorries and five grounded aircraft, while his aerial combat claims total four shot down and as many damaged. F/L Troke has been involved in 56 "dog fights," in the air.
Another Canadian fighter pilot, Flying Officer Neil Russell, 2339 Dow Avenue, New Westminster, B.C., had a narrow escape a few days ago in a duel with a Messerschmitt 109 at Kir Dufan. Slightly wounded in the back of the head, Flying Officer Russell was momentarily stunned. He fell forward on his stick, which threw the plane into a sharp dive. All the time, his hand was clenched on the firing button. He recovered consciousness in time to pull out and inflict damage on the Messerschmitt.
In hospital, surgeons removed seven small pieces of shrapnel from his scalp. After four days rest, he was back in the air, eager to add to his score of one enemy aircraft destroyed, several damaged, and several destroyed on the ground.
Also in the thick of current fighter "strafing" operations is Warrant Officer Frank Pledge, 103 Morrison Avenue, Toronto. His plane has been several times damaged by ground firing.
Warrant Officer Hugh O'Brien; 10033 91st Avenue, Edmonton, had a close shave this week when driven off his course by bad weather. He emerged from a low-hanging cloud to find himself directly over enemy anti-aircraft guns.
With his plane riddled with "flak" and the controls damaged, he managed to return to his base without injury.
Other R.C.A.F. fighter pilots in this area of the Middle East include Sgt. Jack Nichols, of Digby, N.S.; Sgt. Charles Swan, of Chauvin, Alta., and Sgt. John Maloney, Cope Street, Hamilton, Ont.
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TROKE, F/L Gordon William (J15777) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.250 Sq.
Award effective 11 February 1943 as per London Gazette dated 23 February 1943 and
AFRO 513/43 dated 26 March 1943.
This officer has skilfully led his flight and the squadron in many sorties. He has destroyed three enemy aircraft, two of which he shot down on one sortie. He has also assisted in the destruction of two more enemy aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Troke has invariably displayed great keenness and devotion to duty.
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Victories Include :
| 5 July 1942 10 July 1942 19 Oct 1942 31 Oct 1942 7 Nov 1942 9 Nov 1942 17 Nov 1942 19 Nov 1942 16 Jan 1943 21 Jan 1943 26 Feb 1943 8 Aug 1944 29 Sep 1944 |
one Ju88 two Ju88s one Me109E one MC202 one Me109 one Me 109 one Ju52 one Me109 one MC202 1/2 He111 1/2 Ju88 one Ju52 one Ju88 one Me109 1/4 Me109s two Me109 one Me109 |
probable & damaged OTG destroyed & destroyed damaged damaged destroyed & damaged damaged destroyed destroyed destroyed OTG destroyed OTG probable destroyed * destroyed & damaged |
6.25 / 1 / 5
plus 2 / 1 / 2 On The Ground
* Shared w/ Sharman, Herrell & Wegg
Score from Aces High 2nd Edition, Shores & Williams
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Related Sites : |
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Top photo from "The Royal Canadian Air Force At War 1939-1945" * (L. Milberry & H. Halliday)
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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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