Erly, James Paul

Born in Toronto, 1916, home there. Private, Canadian Grenadier Guards before joining RCAF, 1934. Trained at No.1 ITS, No.1 AOS, No. 1 BGS; graduated from No.1 ANSI 23 December 1940. Arrived at No.16 OTU, 16 February 1941; posted from No.16 OTU to No.106 Squadron, 3 May 1941; first appears in unit ORB, 4 May 1941. Killed in action, 22 August 1941 (Hampden AE220); buried in Germany. 106 Squadron (Pro Libertate). Hampden aircraft AE 220 failed to return from a trip to Mannheim, Germany. P/O. A.F. McGruer (RNZAF) Sgt.'s A.L. Rawlinson RAF) and M. Goddard (RAF) were also killed.- ERLY, Pilot Officer James Paul (J3264) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.106 Squadron - Award effective 2 September 1941 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1292/41 dated 7 November 1941. Cited among 51 decorated (five DSOs, 26 DFCs, 20 DFMs) with the following joint citation: In July 1941, large scale attacks were made on German warships at Brest and La Pallice (including the Gneisenau, Scharnhorst and Prince Eugene ). A smaller attack was made on Cherbourg. The operations were carried out in daylight and extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition were encountered by all aircraft when approaching the targets, which at Brest were protected by a balloon barrage. The aircrews engaged succeeded, nevertheless, in securing direct hits on their objectives and in inflicting very severe damage in the target area. During the combats with enemy fighters, 21 hostile aircraft were destroyed and others were severely damaged. The precise timing of the attack by the various formations of aircraft and their correct approach and accurate bombing of the objective in the face of such powerful opposition demanded great skill and high courage. The great success of these operations was largely due to the bravery, determination and resource displayed by the following officers and airmen, who participated in various capacities as leaders and members of the aircraft crews. Detail provided by H. Halliday, Orleans, Ontario.