I really don't know if this site is active but here goes...
I have an ongoing research project concerning a Canadian pilot officer bomb aimer who was a crew member of Wellington HE545 'AS-H'. This aircraft went down on 29th March 1943.
I have traced this man's background and ran into a road block.
I need to know if it was possible that the squadron would have been stood down during the holidays (Christmas 1942-1943).
Is it also possible that idle aircrew members might have been authorized to come back to Canada during the period.
The reason for my research is that this man might have been my father.
I thank you for any information you might provide.
Wellington HE545 was with 166 Sqn and was shot down by Major Werner Streib of Stab1./NJG1 and crashed at Deelen airfield for his 44th victory he would survive the war with a total of 64 night victories and 1 day victory.
You can get a copy of his service record by writing to Personnel Records Centre, National Archives of Canada,
Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontarion K1A ON3 Canada. Be sure and give his full name and service number if you know it, if you don't let me know and I'll tell you what it is, its a free service but it may take a few months.
I have never heard of aircrew being sent back to Canada once they arrived in UK unless they evaded capture or were escaped pows.
RCAF Bomber Command air crew were entitled to home leave before begining their second tour of operations, after completing their first tour of operations and a further six months to a year instructing at an OTU. I know this was true to the end of 1943 but may have been changed in 1944
This was a 166 Squadron loss and the Air Bomber was Frederick Louis Edward Dupre. His entire war service file is available online here:
