Finch, George Herbert

Killed in Flying Accident 1945-03-17

Male Head

Birth Date: 1924

Born:

Son of the Revd. Canon William John Finch and Mrs. Finch, of Birtle Rectory, Manitoba.

Home: Birtle, Manitoba

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Decorations: DFC

Distinguished Service Cross

Service

RCAF

Unit

75 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)

Base

RAF Gianaclis

Rank

Squadron Leader

Position

Squadron Leader

Service Numbers

J/11101
Prev: R/110354

Home
Google MapBirtle, Manitoba
First Burial
Google MapAlamein War Memorial, Egypt
Born Melita, Manitoba 1923. Home Birtle, Manitoba. Enlisted Winnipeg 27 June 1941. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 20 September 1941), No.2 EFTS (graduated 5 December 1941) and No.7 SFTS (graduated 10 April 1942). Commissioned 1942. 75 Operational Training Unit. Baltimore aircraft FW 589 lost during gunnery practice over the Gulf of Suez. Addendum: - Distinguished Flying Cross -No.13 Squadron - Award effective 17 August 1944 as per London Gazette dated 25 August 1944 and AFRO 2231/44 dated 13 October 1944. The citation reads - "Since joining his present squadron, Flight Lieutenant Finch has completed operations from North Africa, Sicily and Italy. On one occasion whilst on anti-submarine control [patrol?] he sighted a U-boat which he immediately attacked and straddled with depth charges. On another occasion while taking part in a formation attack on a petrol dump in Italy his aircraft was damaged by heavy anti-aircraft fire. In spite of the loss of power occasioned by this, Flight Lieutenant Finch remained in his place in the formation until his engine ceased to function. He has always shown the greatest keenness for flying." Detail provided by H. Halliday, Orleans, Ontario.

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Baltimore FW589

Male Head

Squadron Leader Finch, George Herbert (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1945-March-17
Alamein War Memorial, Egypt

Martin Baltimore

A Royal Air Force Martin Baltimore IV/V bomber. Most aircraft were delivered to Commonwealth countries, a few were kept in the U.S. under the USAAF designation A-30.
USAAF - Official U.S. Air Force photo 051122-F-1234P-023

The Martin 187 Baltimore was a twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company in the United States as the A-30. The model was originally ordered by the French in May 1940 as a follow-up to the earlier Martin Maryland, then in service in France. With the fall of France, the production series was diverted to Great Britain and after mid-1941, supplied by the U.S. as Lend Lease equipment.

Development of the Baltimore was hindered by a series of problems, although the type eventually became a versatile combat aircraft. Produced in large numbers, the Baltimore was not used operationally by United States armed forces but eventually served with the British, Canadian, Australian, South African, Hellenic and the Italian air forces. it was subsequently used almost exclusively in the Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II.Wikipedia

Wikipedia Wikipedia Martin Baltimore Bomber

unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

YouTube Martin Baltimore Bomber