Frederick Albert William Johnson
"Freddy" Wilson

Fred Wilson

RAF  RCAF   F/O   -   DFC

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WILSON, P/O Frederick Albert William Johnson (J85676) - DFC - No.441 Squadron
Award effective 7 July 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 2052/44 dated 22 September 1944.

Pilot Officer Wilson is a determined and gallant fighter. He has participated in a very large number of varied sorties during which he has destroyed six enemy aircraft. This officer has rendered much loyal and devoted service.

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Home in Port Arthur, Ontario;
enlisted in London, England, 15 June 1943 (RCAF?)
Award presented 26 June 1945.
Died in Oakville, Ontario, 12 May 1996.

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RCAF file 78/323 folio 9 has recommendation drafted by S/L J. D. Browne, 1 June 1944 when he had flown 238 sorties (277 hours ten minutes). His flying time was broken down as follows:

Defensive Patrols and Scrambles, 137 hours;
Fighter Sweeps, 35 hours;
Patrol of Naval Ships, 30 hours;
Ground Strafing, 11 hours;
Bombing, seven hours;
Escorting Bombers, 47 hours;
Flight from HMS Furious to Malta, four hours;
Flight from Malta to Mersa Matruh, six hours.

This officer commenced his operational career in January 1941. Since then, he has fought with distinction in the Western Desert, Malta, and for the past twelve months from this country. In addition to many successful attacks on ground targets and shipping he has destroyed 6 ½ enemy aircraft, probably destroyed two enemy aircraft and damaged a further three enemy aircraft. He is a determined and resolute fighter pilot and an invaluable member of his squadron. I strongly recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

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He reported to No.213 Squadron, 24 January 1941 while still in England, and flew off Furious for Malta on 21 May 1941 (one aircraft of squadron shot down into sea during flight). The next day he flew to Mersa Matruh and was attached to No.80 Squadron. Notable sorties include the following:

6 June 41: Patrol for mine laying aircraft (1.05)

8 June 41: Ground strafing, Ravak, Syria - scored hits on two Potez' and one bowser (1.25)

13 June 41: Escort to Blenheims - damaged a Potez (2.00)

22 June 41: Strafing on main highway near Beirut; escorting Blenheims to Beirut;
                   - destroyed two biplanes (1.50)

10 July 41: Strafing valley, Ryak Baalben; damaged one aircraft on Baalbeck (2.05)

10 Nov 41: With No.213 Squadron; scramble over Alexandria;
                 -  shared in the destruction of one Ju.88;
                 -  own engine damaged and baled out into sea 12 miles off Raseltin Lighthouse;
                 -  picked up after 1 ½ hours (1.00)

12 Mar 42: Non-operational flight; No.2 cut off his tail and he bailed out but
                 -  parachute did not open until 400 feet;
                 - "mobbed by masses of natives who thought him enemy.”

9 April 42: Patrol over Maryiut - unable to catch recce aircraft (1.05)

11 April 42: Patrol over Maryiut - squadron shot down Ju.88 (1.200

7 June 42: Sweep, Gazala and south to Acroma; bounced by 109s (1.15)

8 June 42: Sweep, Gazala; bounced again; damaged one Macci 202 (1.10)

9 June 42: Sweep, El Adem; bouncec by 109s and 202s; chases and chased but no results (1.45)

10 June 42: Sweep, Bir Hachiem and Gazala; several dogfights when jumped by 109s again (1.20)

12 June 42: Sweep over Gazela-Tobruk road; shot at 109s (1.05)

13 June 42: Sweep over Gazala; jumped by two 109s (1.10)

13 June 42: Sweep over El Adem road; jumped by ten 109s (.45)

14 June 42: Sweep east of Tobruk; dogfight again (1.05)

15 June 42: Patrol east and west of Tobruk; damaged one Bf.109 (1.15)

26 June 42: Sweep to Mersa Matruh; destroyed one Ju.87 and damaged of Ju.87 (.45)

27 June 42: Sweep, Sidi Heniesh area; destroyed one Ju.87 (1.25)

5 July 42: Sweep over line; jumped by Ju.88s and 109s.(1.00)

5 July 42: Sweep over line; dogfight with 14 MC.202s; damaged one (1.15)

8 July 42: Sweep over line; attacked 109s (1.35)

10 July 42: Patrol over line; shot up through cockpit by 109 (1.00)

17 July 42: Sweep over line; last sortie in No.213 Squadron (.35)

8 July 43: Escort for Beaufighters; first sortie with No.402 Squadron; recalled (.45)

11 Sept 43: Close escort to Marauders to Beaumont-le-Roger; bounced by FW.190s (1.50)

1 Mar 44: Escort to 22 Beaufighters to Den Helder; one 5,000-ton ship hit by cannon fire;
                    - last of 19 sorties with No.402 Squadron (2.00)

1 May 44: Escort to Mantes Gassicourt; first sortie with No.441 Squadron (2.15)

5 May 44: Sweep southeast of Lille; destroyed one FW.190 (2.40)

25 May 44: Dive bombing marshalling yards at Mons; last sortie on sheet (1.35)

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--- Canadian Aces ---

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On these pages I use info from the Air force Association of Canada's web site
in Hugh Halliday's excellent Honors & Awards section,
newspaper articles via the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC)
as well as other sources both published and private

 

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