Day: April 12, 2019

Les grands oubliés du RCAF 404 Squadron – André Lauzon

Photos de la collection de la famille d’André Lauzon

André Lauzon

André Lauzon

Attaque_de_l'aviation

Attaque par des Beaufighters

Beaufighter_atteint_de_balles_2

Dommage au Beaufighter

papa et pilote 404

André Lauzon et David Andrews

papa squadron 404

André Lauzon

Papa_et_autre_aviateur

André Lauzon et David Andrews

Photo_de_grouge

 

Royal_Canadian_Air_Force

La traduction du commentaire laissé sur un site Internet, maintenant disparu et qui rendait hommage à l’escadrille 404, nous en dit plus long sur les faits d’armes d’André Lauzon et de son frère d’armes le pilote David Andrews.

La page web de l’histoire du 404e Escadron est bien présentée. J’ai été membre de l’escadron d’avril 1943 à juillet 1944. Le compte rendu des événements du 1er mai 1943 devrait inclure le nom du pilote et du navigateur qui étaient David Andrew comme pilote et André Lauzon comme navigateur. Ils pilotaient le Beaufighter “B”. L’avion a été touché par plus de 100 balles de mitrailleuses. Aucun canon de 20 mm n’a été tiré; le pilote du Messerschmitt n’avait manifestement pas engagé ses canons… Cela pourrait expliquer pourquoi le Beau a pu revenir avec deux pneus à plat, le moteur bâbord qui fuyait, sans pression d’air et sans hydraulique.
Nous apprécierions que les noms des équipages soient mentionnés. Andrew et Lauzon terminent tous deux un tour de 38 opérations, qui se termine en juillet 1944.
Je joins une photo du pilote David Andrew et du navigateur André Lauzon, ainsi qu’une photo de B prise par moi-même avant que le Beau ne soit remorqué hors des limites du hangar.

Images from the past

Beaufighter attacking T24 (source Internet)

Photograph of Squadron Leader William Ritchie Christison, who was awarded one of his Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) medals for this attack. He is standing by his Beaufighter.

RCAF photo

RCAF photo

Source Internet

 

Source Internet

William Ritchie Christison DFC (2) was born in Montreal, Québec (QC). His parents lived in Lennoxville QC and he enlisted in the RCAF in Sherbrooke, in July 1940. Christison received air crew instruction at various training schools in Canada and graduated from No. 7 Service Flying Training School in March 1941. He received his pilot officer commission in 1942 and by the time he joined No. 404 Squadron he had been promoted to Flight Lieutenant. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) effective October 17, 1944.

The citation refers in part to one sortie where he was flight commander in an attack upon enemy shipping in Le Verdon harbour. The citation says: During the action his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire rendering one engine useless. However, Flight Lieutenant Christison completed the attack and made a successful return flight, landing at an advanced base in France. This officer has led his squadron with great skill and has set a fine example to all.

On March 30, 1945 Christison was awarded a second DFC. The citation says: “Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has taken part in a number of attacks on enemy shipping and throughout has displayed courage and resolution of a high standard”.

In February 1945, Squadron Leader Christison participated in an attack against an enemy force of eleven vessels. The ships were sheltered by high cliffs rising steeply from the water’s edge and defended by anti-aircraft batteries on the shore.

In the face of fire from these guns and from those of all the enemy ships and also opposition from enemy fighters, Squadron Leader Christison led his squadron into the attack which was pressed home with the greatest determination. His undoubted skill contributed materially to the success achieved. Regrettably, Christison was killed in action with No. 404 Squadron on March 24, 1945.

 

 

 

 

Source Archives Canada