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Finch, George Herbert DFC (Squadron Leader)

Killed in Flying Accident 1945-March-17

Male Head

Birth Date: 1924 (age 21)

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

Home: Birtle, Manitoba

Decorations: DFC


Distinguished Service Cross
Service
RCAF
Unit
75 OTU- Operational Training Unit
Rank
Squadron Leader
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Pilot
Service Numbers
J/11101
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.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Squadron Leader George Herbert Finch has no known grave.

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

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Martin Baltimore Bomber

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

YouTube Martin Baltimore Bomber

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (1), Canadian Aircraft Losses (24)
last update: 2021-08-26 20:35:52

Baltimore Mk.V FW589

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