Prise 1
Vétérans des bombardements
Date de diffusion : 7 mai 1995
Trois vétérans de l’escadron des Alouettes, Paul Bourdages sans-filiste, Roland Roy, navigateur et Jean Ouellette, bombardier, et le pilote Roger Coulombe de l’escadron 426 se rappellent leurs missions en Allemagne :
Prise 2
Une lectrice m’a demandé si j’avais plus d’information sur le Berlin Kid.
J’ai trouvé la citation pour sa DFC.
COULOMBE, WO (now P/O) Joseph Albert Roger (R96703/J19380)
– Distinguished Flying Cross
– No.426 Squadron
– Award effective 25 January 1944 as per London Gazette dated 8 February 1944 and AFRO 644/44 dated 24 March 1944. Born 12 September 1920; home in Montmagny, Quebec; enlisted Quebec, 21 July 1941. Trained at No.3 ITS (graduated 14 March 1942), No.11 EFTS (graduated 4 June 1942) and No.13 SFTS (graduated 25 September 1942). Posted overseas, October 1942; commissioned 21 November 1943; repatriated 18 June 1945; released 6 September 1945. Served in RCAF Primary Reserve, 10 September 1954 to 15 November 1956. Award presented 25 February 1949.
Warrant Officer Coulombe has completed many sorties including eight against Berlin. One night in December 1943 he took part in an attack on the German capital and whilst over the target his aircraft was intercepted by a fighter. The enemy aircraft made several attacks but Warrant Officer Coulombe skilfully evaded them without sustaining damage until the final attack when one of the bomber’s engines was hit. Later the aircraft was hit by shrapnel. The hydraulic system was damaged and one of the petrol tanks was pierced. Nevertheless Warrant Officer Coulombe flew the damaged bomber back to this country. This Warrant Officer has invariably displayed great skill, courage and resolution.
NOTE:
DHist file 181.009 D.4431 (RG.24 Vol.20649) has interesting correspondence on another « unofficial » award. On 31 March 1944, S/L C.L. Tufts, on behalf of Base Commander, No.62 Base, reported that the Secretary to British Legation, Panama, had forwarded to Bomber Command twelve watches, the gift of Senor Adalbert Fastlich, who asked they be given to the bomber crew that had dropped the largest weight of bombs on Berlin. The watches were anti-magnetic, water-proof and shock-proof. Bomber Command allotted two watches to certain Groups to distribute. HQ No.6 Group had concluded that two squadrons – No.426 and 408 – had dropped the largest loads on Berlin. The CO of Station Linton was asked to choose an officer from one and an NCO from the other « who not only made the most trips to Berlin but dropped the heaviest loads. » On 6 April 1944, CO of No.426 Squadron nominated Pilot Officer Coulombe, who had flown 12 trips to Berlin with the following loads:
Date H.E. INCENDIARIES
23.8.43 1 x 4,000 2 x 90 four-lb, 2 x 8 30-lb.
3.9.43 1 x 4,000 3 x 90 four-lb, 3 x 8 30-lb.
18.11.43 1 x 4,000 3 x 90 four-lb, 1 x 8 30-lb.
23.11.43 1 x 4,000 6 x 90 four-lb, 2 x 8 30-lb.
26.11.43 1 x 4,000 3 x 90 four-lb, 1 x 8 30-lb.
2.12.43 1 x 4,000 6 x 90 four-lb, 2 x 8 30-lb.
16.12.43 1 x 8,000 2 x 90 four-lb.
29.12.43 1 x 4,000 7 x 90 four-lb, 2 x 8 30-lb.
20.1.44 1 x 4,000 3 x 90 four-lb, 3 x 150 four-lb, 2 x 8 30-lb.
27.1.44 1 x 4,000 2 x 150 four-lb.
30.1.44 1 x 4,000 4 x 90 four-lb., 2 x 150 four-lb., 3 x 8 30-lb.
24.3.44 1 x 1,000 6 x 90 four lb, 9 x 8 30-lb.
« On two occasions this officer’s aircraft was attacked and badly damaged by fighters over the target, and for one of these sorties he was awarded an immediate DFC. He is a very keen and reliable pilot and it is highly recommended that he be presented one of the watches. »
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Souvenirs de guerre 