HOME WAR ESTABLISHMENT
Canada, because of the Japanese threat, had to organize a defensive structure to protect our west coast. It was called WESTERN AIR COMMAND. All of Canada's Armed Services were to be involved. The Royal Canadian Air Force was given the task of organizing air operations to guard our sea lanes, ports and coastal communities.
When the United States asked Canada to provide squadrons to help guard US coastal facilities and communities in Alaska, the RCAF initially supplied four squadrons of which two were Fighter Squadrons and two were Bomber-Reconnaissance squadrons,
These squadrons were organized into two Wings: X Wing and Y Wing. Each Wing was made up of one Fighter and one Bomber-Reconnaissance squadron. These two Wings flew protective patrols over Anchorage, Kodiak Island and Annette Island.
No. 111 (F) Squadron was in X Wing.
Later, as the battle progressed and US Forces were able to go on the offensive, X Wing pilots were attached to USAAF 11th Fighter Squadron, This change in workload resulted in reassigning the X Wing Bomber-Reconnaissance Squadron and adding a Fighter Squadron (RCAF No. 14 Squadron). Both X Wing squadrons flew attacking raids against Japanese installations on Kiska Island in the Aleutian chain.
No. 111 (F) Squadron took orders from and reported to Western Air Command through X Wing. The WAC and Wing officers who were in 111 Squadron's chain of command are listed below:
Canada, because of the Japanese threat, had to organize a defensive structure to protect our west coast. It was called WESTERN AIR COMMAND. All of Canada's Armed Services were to be involved. The Royal Canadian Air Force was given the task of organizing air operations to guard our sea lanes, ports and coastal communities.
When the United States asked Canada to provide squadrons to help guard US coastal facilities and communities in Alaska, the RCAF initially supplied four squadrons of which two were Fighter Squadrons and two were Bomber-Reconnaissance squadrons,
These squadrons were organized into two Wings: X Wing and Y Wing. Each Wing was made up of one Fighter and one Bomber-Reconnaissance squadron. These two Wings flew protective patrols over Anchorage, Kodiak Island and Annette Island.
No. 111 (F) Squadron was in X Wing.
Later, as the battle progressed and US Forces were able to go on the offensive, X Wing pilots were attached to USAAF 11th Fighter Squadron, This change in workload resulted in reassigning the X Wing Bomber-Reconnaissance Squadron and adding a Fighter Squadron (RCAF No. 14 Squadron). Both X Wing squadrons flew attacking raids against Japanese installations on Kiska Island in the Aleutian chain.
No. 111 (F) Squadron took orders from and reported to Western Air Command through X Wing. The WAC and Wing officers who were in 111 Squadron's chain of command are listed below:
Western Air Command
Wing Commander/ (Pilot) Ernest Archibald "Ernie" McNab OBE, DFC
C134 Very successful fighter and leader in Europe. The picture on the left shows him when he was Squadron Leader of #1 (Canadian) Squadron dated September 12, 1940. He is standing in front of his Hurricane 1 in Northolt, England. He returned to Canada and briefly commanded 118 (f) Squadron from April 5, 1941 to July 22, 1941 at Rockcliffe (Ottawa) Ontario. He was promoted in the Fall of 1941 and served as Wing Commander to RAF 111 Squadron in its early days. He joined Western Air Command around the same time that 111 Squadron did. He rose to command the Western Air Command in the late stages of the war. He was the Wing Commander in January, 1942, around the time when 111 Squadron redeployed from Ottawa to British Columbia. Here is how Air Force Association of Canada summarized his military career: "C134 S/Ldr. Ernest A. McNAB DFC l (RCAF) Squad. From Rosthern SK, Born in 1905. He took command of l (RCAF) Squad. at St. Hubert in November 1939. He was leading the squadron when it arrived in the UK on 20 June 1940. On 15 August he destroyed a Do17 while flying with 111 Squad. On the 26th another Do17 destroyed. On 15 September a He III destroyed and on the 27th a Me ll0 destroyed. He was awarded the DFC 22/10/1940. In November he returned to Canada and in June 1941 was given command of 118 Squad. and took it to Dartmouth, NS for East Coast defence. He was made an OBE 13/6/46 and also held the Czech Military Cross. He retired from the RCAF
in October 1957 as a G/Capt. and settled in Vancouver. He died 10 Jan. 1977." He was from Regina.
For more information on W/C McNab, click here and also see this link.
Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1 Confirmed.
Photo Department of National Defence, PL -104443 taken at Northolt on September 12, 1949.
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C134 Very successful fighter and leader in Europe. The picture on the left shows him when he was Squadron Leader of #1 (Canadian) Squadron dated September 12, 1940. He is standing in front of his Hurricane 1 in Northolt, England. He returned to Canada and briefly commanded 118 (f) Squadron from April 5, 1941 to July 22, 1941 at Rockcliffe (Ottawa) Ontario. He was promoted in the Fall of 1941 and served as Wing Commander to RAF 111 Squadron in its early days. He joined Western Air Command around the same time that 111 Squadron did. He rose to command the Western Air Command in the late stages of the war. He was the Wing Commander in January, 1942, around the time when 111 Squadron redeployed from Ottawa to British Columbia. Here is how Air Force Association of Canada summarized his military career: "C134 S/Ldr. Ernest A. McNAB DFC l (RCAF) Squad. From Rosthern SK, Born in 1905. He took command of l (RCAF) Squad. at St. Hubert in November 1939. He was leading the squadron when it arrived in the UK on 20 June 1940. On 15 August he destroyed a Do17 while flying with 111 Squad. On the 26th another Do17 destroyed. On 15 September a He III destroyed and on the 27th a Me ll0 destroyed. He was awarded the DFC 22/10/1940. In November he returned to Canada and in June 1941 was given command of 118 Squad. and took it to Dartmouth, NS for East Coast defence. He was made an OBE 13/6/46 and also held the Czech Military Cross. He retired from the RCAF
in October 1957 as a G/Capt. and settled in Vancouver. He died 10 Jan. 1977." He was from Regina.
For more information on W/C McNab, click here and also see this link.
Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1 Confirmed.
Photo Department of National Defence, PL -104443 taken at Northolt on September 12, 1949.
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(X) Wing Command
Wing Commander (Pilot) Arthur Deane Nesbitt, D.F.C.
C1327 He attended Course #4 at #1 Service Flying Training School, Camp Borden, Ontario, receiving his Wings on May 23, 1940 along with George J. Elliott. Both men took a turn as Squadron Leader of 111 Squadron. In the photos above, his Distinguished Flying Cross Ribbon is evident below his Wings. He won the DFC for his gallantry in the Battle of Britain. He arrived to take command of the brand new 111 (f) Squadron on November 3, 1941. He stayed with the squadron until they were trained and ready to take up operations in Alaska when he assumed command of the Wing which contained 111 Squadron. The bottom left photo dispels any myth that command was glamorous. Click here for Wikipedia LINK. Also, see this website for more information about his military career and this one for his entry in The Canadian Encyclopedia. The Air Force Association of Canada summarized his career this way: "C1327 F/O Arthur D. NESBITT 1(RCAF) Squad. Born in Montreal 1904 He shot down a Me ll0 on 04 September 1940 and the 15th a Me109 In March 1941 he took command of the Squad. now numbered 401 and led in until September. He was awarded the DFC 23/9/41.and made an OBE 1/1/46 He was released as a W/Com. He died in 1979"
Airforce Magazine (Vol 36, issue 1) reported his death: April 16, 2012. There is a beautiful description of his career at this site.
Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1, Confirmed
Photo on right and signature from the Collection of Flt. Lt. George Schwalm, courtesy of his nephew, Bob Hofland. Photo top right, extracted from the 1942 Squadron Portrait, Department of National Defence PBG 1657. He is in position #012 in the portrait. Photo on top left is DND PMR 76485; bottom left is PMR 76186, appreciation to Captain Fred Paradie.
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C1327 He attended Course #4 at #1 Service Flying Training School, Camp Borden, Ontario, receiving his Wings on May 23, 1940 along with George J. Elliott. Both men took a turn as Squadron Leader of 111 Squadron. In the photos above, his Distinguished Flying Cross Ribbon is evident below his Wings. He won the DFC for his gallantry in the Battle of Britain. He arrived to take command of the brand new 111 (f) Squadron on November 3, 1941. He stayed with the squadron until they were trained and ready to take up operations in Alaska when he assumed command of the Wing which contained 111 Squadron. The bottom left photo dispels any myth that command was glamorous. Click here for Wikipedia LINK. Also, see this website for more information about his military career and this one for his entry in The Canadian Encyclopedia. The Air Force Association of Canada summarized his career this way: "C1327 F/O Arthur D. NESBITT 1(RCAF) Squad. Born in Montreal 1904 He shot down a Me ll0 on 04 September 1940 and the 15th a Me109 In March 1941 he took command of the Squad. now numbered 401 and led in until September. He was awarded the DFC 23/9/41.and made an OBE 1/1/46 He was released as a W/Com. He died in 1979"
Airforce Magazine (Vol 36, issue 1) reported his death: April 16, 2012. There is a beautiful description of his career at this site.
Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1, Confirmed
Photo on right and signature from the Collection of Flt. Lt. George Schwalm, courtesy of his nephew, Bob Hofland. Photo top right, extracted from the 1942 Squadron Portrait, Department of National Defence PBG 1657. He is in position #012 in the portrait. Photo on top left is DND PMR 76485; bottom left is PMR 76186, appreciation to Captain Fred Paradie.
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Group Captain (Pilot) Kenneth Burns Conn DFC
C1262 He was a pilot in WWI with 20 victories to his credit. He became an historian who joined the RCAF in WWII to serve in an administrative role. He rose because he was hard nosed and skilled at picking the right person for a job. He organized the RCAF to tell its story during the war but also had other duties. In the spring of 1943, he was Group Captain of 111's group. He received the monthly summaries of squadron operations. On June 27, 1943, he signed 111's monthly summary. On March 23, 1944, he was appointed to the role of Chief Historian of the Air Force. He survived the war and returned to his first love: history. He oversaw the creation of the first history of Canadian warfare in the air. It was called "The R.C.A.F. Overseas: the First Four Years" and was released in October, 1944. He was from Toronto. Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1 Confirmed
Photo extracted from Hugh Halliday's article The Air Historian, Part 1, see link.
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C1262 He was a pilot in WWI with 20 victories to his credit. He became an historian who joined the RCAF in WWII to serve in an administrative role. He rose because he was hard nosed and skilled at picking the right person for a job. He organized the RCAF to tell its story during the war but also had other duties. In the spring of 1943, he was Group Captain of 111's group. He received the monthly summaries of squadron operations. On June 27, 1943, he signed 111's monthly summary. On March 23, 1944, he was appointed to the role of Chief Historian of the Air Force. He survived the war and returned to his first love: history. He oversaw the creation of the first history of Canadian warfare in the air. It was called "The R.C.A.F. Overseas: the First Four Years" and was released in October, 1944. He was from Toronto. Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1 Confirmed
Photo extracted from Hugh Halliday's article The Air Historian, Part 1, see link.
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Wing Commander (Pilot) Gordon R. McGregor O.B.E., D.F.C., CdeG (French), OONK (Dutch)
C936 He had learned to fly before the war on his own. He went overseas in June, 1940 as Flight Commander in RCAF #1 Squadron. He was 38 years old when he flew against the Germans in the Battle of Britain. He distinguished himself and was one of the first members of the RCAF to be decorated in WWII. He was made Squadron Leader of RCAF #1 Squadron on November 2, 1940. The middle photo shows him as S/L, RCAF #1 Squadron in Europe, Autumn, 1940. He is with the Padre and several pilots on readiness alert. He moved to RCAF #2 (later renumbered 402 Squadron) in January, 1941 as Officer Commanding. The following April, he was made Wing Commander Flying. He continued to take part in attacks against the Luftwaffe.
In Alaska, he commanded the X Wing consisting of 111 (f) Squadron and 8 (BR) Squadron. and, later, 14 (F) Squadron. For his leadership in the Aleutian Campaign, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire. The Air Force Association of Canada summarized his military career this way: "C936 F/Lt. Gordon R. McGREGOR DFC l(RCAF) Squad. Born in Montreal 26 September 1901. He shot down a 0017 on 26 August 1940. a He lll on 11 September, a Ju88 on the 2th. and Me 109s on the 30th and 05 October. He was awarded the DFC 25/10/1940. And commanded the squadron November and December. In January 1941 he was given command of 2(RCAF) Squad. which was re-numbered 402 Squadron on 01 March 1941. He then formed and commanded a Wing in Canada to give air support to the USA in Alaska. He was made a OBE 11 January 1943 and promoted to G/Capt. He was the oldest Canadian Fighter pilot to see action in the war. He was released from the RCAF 27 November 1945. He died in Montreal 08 March 1971." See this link for a full listing of his accomplishments and awards.
Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1, Confirmed.
C936 He had learned to fly before the war on his own. He went overseas in June, 1940 as Flight Commander in RCAF #1 Squadron. He was 38 years old when he flew against the Germans in the Battle of Britain. He distinguished himself and was one of the first members of the RCAF to be decorated in WWII. He was made Squadron Leader of RCAF #1 Squadron on November 2, 1940. The middle photo shows him as S/L, RCAF #1 Squadron in Europe, Autumn, 1940. He is with the Padre and several pilots on readiness alert. He moved to RCAF #2 (later renumbered 402 Squadron) in January, 1941 as Officer Commanding. The following April, he was made Wing Commander Flying. He continued to take part in attacks against the Luftwaffe.
In Alaska, he commanded the X Wing consisting of 111 (f) Squadron and 8 (BR) Squadron. and, later, 14 (F) Squadron. For his leadership in the Aleutian Campaign, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire. The Air Force Association of Canada summarized his military career this way: "C936 F/Lt. Gordon R. McGREGOR DFC l(RCAF) Squad. Born in Montreal 26 September 1901. He shot down a 0017 on 26 August 1940. a He lll on 11 September, a Ju88 on the 2th. and Me 109s on the 30th and 05 October. He was awarded the DFC 25/10/1940. And commanded the squadron November and December. In January 1941 he was given command of 2(RCAF) Squad. which was re-numbered 402 Squadron on 01 March 1941. He then formed and commanded a Wing in Canada to give air support to the USA in Alaska. He was made a OBE 11 January 1943 and promoted to G/Capt. He was the oldest Canadian Fighter pilot to see action in the war. He was released from the RCAF 27 November 1945. He died in Montreal 08 March 1971." See this link for a full listing of his accomplishments and awards.
Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1, Confirmed.
Photo on right courtesy of Harry McFee. Note: see Harry's book For We Were Young and We Had Wings, Vanwell Publ., 2004 and his gorgeous "tribute" website. The photo on left and Signature from the Collection of S/L Ramsay, courtesy of his daughter and son-in-law Christie Anne and Bo Jensen. The centre photo comes from National Archives of Canada.
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Wing Commander (Pilot) Robert Ellis Evan "Bob" Morrow DFC
He was the last W/C for 111 Squadron and 14 Squadron. He had already had an illustrious career in Europe flying Hurricanes and leading 402 Squadron. He joined 402 Squadron in May, 1941. He began flying Spitfires with 402 in June, 1942. By mid-December, he was promoted to Squadron Leader and replaced the retiring Squadron Leader of 402 Squadron. The picture on the left shows him being decorated in February, 1944. He had already got the DFC (see ribbon under wings). After 161 sorties over Europe, he was repatriated to Canada and promoted to Wing Commander. He was to assume control of X Wing which included 111 Squadron, part of the Western Air Command. However, he was delayed for a few weeks while he recovered from a bail-out injury near Umnak Island. His son, R.C. Morrow, shared his father's log entry for the crash: "May 6, 1943, A/C 42-9205, Pilot: self, Crash - take off; Bailed out, Recovered from water; flying time: .10 hrs." You have to admire the wit and understatement of a guy who, after a crash, major injury and protracted recovery, credits himself with 6 minutes of flying time for the incident. He worked cooperatively with the USAAF leadership and was able to persuade the American command that RCAF fighters could participate in the attacks against the enemy. That announcement boosted Canadian morale enormously.
He was born in Alberta but enlisted from Toronto. Click here to see him listed with other RCAF WWII pilots who earned honorable mentions. After the war, he practised Law and developed business interests. On March 9, 1998, Wing Commander Morrow died in Montreal.
Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1 Confirmed
Photo 1 from Brown & Lavigne, Canadian Wing Commanders of Fighter Command in WWII. 1983, Battleline Books, p228; Photo 2 Courtesy of Harry McFee; ; Signature from the Squadron Daily Diary.
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He was the last W/C for 111 Squadron and 14 Squadron. He had already had an illustrious career in Europe flying Hurricanes and leading 402 Squadron. He joined 402 Squadron in May, 1941. He began flying Spitfires with 402 in June, 1942. By mid-December, he was promoted to Squadron Leader and replaced the retiring Squadron Leader of 402 Squadron. The picture on the left shows him being decorated in February, 1944. He had already got the DFC (see ribbon under wings). After 161 sorties over Europe, he was repatriated to Canada and promoted to Wing Commander. He was to assume control of X Wing which included 111 Squadron, part of the Western Air Command. However, he was delayed for a few weeks while he recovered from a bail-out injury near Umnak Island. His son, R.C. Morrow, shared his father's log entry for the crash: "May 6, 1943, A/C 42-9205, Pilot: self, Crash - take off; Bailed out, Recovered from water; flying time: .10 hrs." You have to admire the wit and understatement of a guy who, after a crash, major injury and protracted recovery, credits himself with 6 minutes of flying time for the incident. He worked cooperatively with the USAAF leadership and was able to persuade the American command that RCAF fighters could participate in the attacks against the enemy. That announcement boosted Canadian morale enormously.
He was born in Alberta but enlisted from Toronto. Click here to see him listed with other RCAF WWII pilots who earned honorable mentions. After the war, he practised Law and developed business interests. On March 9, 1998, Wing Commander Morrow died in Montreal.
Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1 Confirmed
Photo 1 from Brown & Lavigne, Canadian Wing Commanders of Fighter Command in WWII. 1983, Battleline Books, p228; Photo 2 Courtesy of Harry McFee; ; Signature from the Squadron Daily Diary.
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Wing Commander (Pilot) Paul Brook Pitcher
He was brought in (Spring, 1943) to provide temporary replacement (several weeks) while W/C Robert E. E. Morrow, 111's last W/C,
was in hospital due to a bail-out injury. W/C Pitcher was a lawyer in Montreal when he enlisted. He was an early RCAF-er and had a low
service number: # 615. He got his Wings in 1939 and went to the Battle of Britain. He flew Hurricanes with RCAF 1 Squadron then commanded 401 Squadron and 411 Squadron. He also commanded 417 Squadron in northern Africa just before coming to 111. This is how Air Force of Canada Association summarized his military career: "C625 F/O Paul B. PITCHER 1(RCAF) Squad. Born in Montreal 05 August 1913. He was with 1(RCAF) Squad when it arrived in the UK 20 June 1940. He shot down a Me109 on 05 October. He took command of the squadron on 13 December 1940 until 11 March 1941 when the squadron became 401(RCAF) He later formed 411(RCAF) Squad. at Digby until 16 December 1941 when he went on leave to Canada. He took command of 417(RCAF) Squad. and took them to the Middle East. On 17 November 1942 he was repatriated to Canada and served with SASO at Western Air Command, Vancouver. He was released on 28 November 1944 as a W/Comm. He died in 1998."
Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1 Confirmed
Photo came from The Canadian Fighter Pilot & Air Gunner Museum website (see link). It is PL7011. : Signature from the 111 Squadron Daily Diary.
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He was brought in (Spring, 1943) to provide temporary replacement (several weeks) while W/C Robert E. E. Morrow, 111's last W/C,
was in hospital due to a bail-out injury. W/C Pitcher was a lawyer in Montreal when he enlisted. He was an early RCAF-er and had a low
service number: # 615. He got his Wings in 1939 and went to the Battle of Britain. He flew Hurricanes with RCAF 1 Squadron then commanded 401 Squadron and 411 Squadron. He also commanded 417 Squadron in northern Africa just before coming to 111. This is how Air Force of Canada Association summarized his military career: "C625 F/O Paul B. PITCHER 1(RCAF) Squad. Born in Montreal 05 August 1913. He was with 1(RCAF) Squad when it arrived in the UK 20 June 1940. He shot down a Me109 on 05 October. He took command of the squadron on 13 December 1940 until 11 March 1941 when the squadron became 401(RCAF) He later formed 411(RCAF) Squad. at Digby until 16 December 1941 when he went on leave to Canada. He took command of 417(RCAF) Squad. and took them to the Middle East. On 17 November 1942 he was repatriated to Canada and served with SASO at Western Air Command, Vancouver. He was released on 28 November 1944 as a W/Comm. He died in 1998."
Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1 Confirmed
Photo came from The Canadian Fighter Pilot & Air Gunner Museum website (see link). It is PL7011. : Signature from the 111 Squadron Daily Diary.
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Flying Officer (Signals) H. C. Thompson
C8313 He was promoted to Flying Officer on July 4, 1942 at Elmendorf. While 111 (F) and 8 (BR) Squadrons were serving in Alaska, he was stationed at "X" Wing Headquarters at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska. He served both squadrons in "X" Wing although he was formally attached to No. 8 (BR) Squadron.
This is all we know and we need a picture of him. Help!
The signature was extracted from a service record on a report from a committee on which he was a member.
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C8313 He was promoted to Flying Officer on July 4, 1942 at Elmendorf. While 111 (F) and 8 (BR) Squadrons were serving in Alaska, he was stationed at "X" Wing Headquarters at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska. He served both squadrons in "X" Wing although he was formally attached to No. 8 (BR) Squadron.
This is all we know and we need a picture of him. Help!
The signature was extracted from a service record on a report from a committee on which he was a member.
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