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Laturnus, Andrew (Pilot Officer)

Killed in Action 1944-May-13

Birth Date: 1921-May-07 (age 23)

Born: Liebenthal, Saskatchewan

Son of Lambert and Anna Laturnus of Wilkie, Saskatchewan.

Home: Revenue, Saskatchewan

Enlistment: Regina, Saskatchewan

Enlistment Date: 1942-04-30

Service
RCAF
Unit
431 (B) Sqn- Squadron
The Hatiten Ronteriios Warriors of the Air: Iroquois
Rank
Pilot Officer
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
Wireless Air Gunner
Service Numbers
J/86453
Prev: R/163628

Halifax B.Mk.III MZ629

Bombing Louvain Belgium 1944-May-12 to 1944-May-13

(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft

120 aircraft - 96 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters, 4 Mosquitoes - of 6 and 8 Groups. 3 Halifaxes and 2 Lancasters lost.

The bombing was more accurate than on the previous night and considerable damage was caused in the railways yards. The local report, which consolidates the 2 raids, confirms that the railways were badly damaged and says that parts of the system were still being repaired 6 months later. But civilian casualties were also heavy, with 160 people being killed and 208 injured in Louvain and its suburbs of Herent and Wilsele. Building damage in Louvain included 5 blocks of the university, 8 factories, 4 convents and a church

source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

Halifax aircraft MZ629 lost whilst engaged in a night operation to Louvain, Belgium. P/O.s A Laturnus, C.J. Campbell, E.D. Empey, A.E. Yarington, and F/O. S.M. Preston were killed. One Canadian, WO. Barzeele, was an Evader, Sergeant J.D. MacPherson RAF., not Canadian, missing presumed killed.

FAG lists date of birth as 1921-05-15

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Finadagrave.com

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

Home
Google MapRevenue, Saskatchewan
Target
Google MapLouvain Belgium
Burial
Google MapBrussels Town Cemetery
X 19 4

Halifax MZ629

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