 F/Lt. Harry James Hardy,
D.F.C., C.D. Born in Virden, Manitoba, Harry Hardy joined
the R.C.A.F. in 1941 where he was introduced to the tiger
Moth. At #6 Service Training School at Yorkton, Saskatchewan,
he trained on Cessna Cranes and received his wings. He subsequently
also flew Lysanders, Bolingbrokes, Hurricanes, Kittyhawks
and Harvards.
He was posted to England in 1943
and joined #61 O.T.U. at Rednal, where he flew Spitfires.
One day in April, his Spitfire was involved in a mid-air collision,
and he was left with only his seat. Next was Hawker Hurricanes
at #3 Tactical Exercise Unit in Scotland, and a spell on Typhoons.
Further training at Bognor Regis (#83 Group Support Unit)
preceded his move into operations with 440 Squadron, operating
from B9 Cruelly, France.
F/Lt. Hardy lost 'Pulverizer 1'
when the whole squadron became lost while flying from Amiens
to Brussels, and all nine aircraft force landed. 'Pulverizer
2' crash landed during the 'Battle of the Bulge' when hit
by flak from a tank, but Hardy baled out again. 'Pulverizer
3' was taken off the line, presumably due to flak damage.
Finally, 'Pulverizer 4' was the Typhoon he flew to the end
of his tour. F/Lt. Hardy flew a total of 96 sorties. During
his flying career, he had three forced landings and two bale-outs.
 F/O John Porter is from Prince George, B.C. and joined the R.C.A.F. in August
1941. In England he was posted to 247 Squadron R.A.F. at Bradwell
Bay in Essex. He flew Typhoons and completed his tour in November
1944. Awards include A/C Europe Star, 1939 - 45 Medal, France/Germany.
 F/O
A. M. Scott. After training in Canada and a stint flying Miles Masters at
Turnhill, England, Scott converted to Typhoons and joined 440
Squadron at Eindhoven, Holland. He flew a total of 30 operational
trips. Among his many exciting experiences was a spectacular
wheels-up landing in his Typhoon near the Rhine River after
his tail had been damaged by flak.
|
 F/Lt.
Robert E. Spooner,
D.F.C., joined the Air Force in 1941 at High River, Alberta.
In September, 1944 he commenced operations against the enemy
with 438 Squadron at Melsbroek, flying Typhoons. By November
he was a Flight Commander, and flew support for the Nijmegan
attack and in the Ardennes. Other adventures included train-strafing
and a mid-air collision in cloud, with both aircraft returning
safely to base. F/Lt. Spooner completed 97 sorties.
F/Lt. C.
Ivan Smith joined the R.C.A.F.
in 1941. His first operational flights were with 268
Squadron. Total sorties: 104. |
