GUNDY, WO (now P/O) Richard Montross (R160449/J86500) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.101 Squadron - Award effective 2 October 1944 as per London Gazette dated 17 October 1944 and AFRO 2637/44 dated 8 December 1944. Born in St.Thomas, Ontario, 1921; home in Toronto. Enlisted in Toronto, 20 April 1942. Trained at No.6 ITS (graduated 23 October 1942) and No.4 AOS (graduated 5 February 1943). Commissioned May 1944. No citation other than "completed...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty". Public Records Office Air 2/9025 has recommendation dated 13 July 1944 when he had flown 30 sorties (199 hours 40 minutes).

2 Dec 43 Berlin Fairly concentrated attack with good results.
20 Dec 43 Frankfurt Large fire to east and others in target area.
23 Dec 43 Berlin many fires taking hold; good attack.
1 Jan 44 Berlin Attack well developed; fires concentrated around markers.
2 Jan 44 Berlin Explosions and incendiary fires seen through cloud. Attack well concentrated.
5 Jan 44 Stettin Many large incendiary fires in target area, especially in south section.
20 Jan 44 Berlin When attacking target, aircraft was engaged by three enemy fighters.
27 Jan 44 Berlin Flares shot down by light flak; marking rather scattered.
30 Jan 44 Berlin Glow of fires seen through thick cloud in target area.
15 Feb 44 Berlin Target marking good; glow of fires in target area clearly seen.
19 Feb 44 Leipzig Two large areas of red glow overlapping reflected on thick clouds.
20 Feb 44 Stuttgart Many flares shot down by flak; fires to north of target area.
24 Feb 44 Schweinfurt Good marking. Smoke obscuring target. Fires visible for 200 miles on return.
15 Mar 44 Stuttgart Fires concentrated around markers. Visual Monika unserviceable prior to attack.
18 Mar 44 Frankfurt Early in attack, not many markers seen, but these were accurately placed.
22 Mar 44 Frankfurt Good attack. Many incendiary fires and one large explosion.
24 Mar 44 Berlin Marking scattered. No target indicators seen until leaving target.
26 Mar 44 Essen Large orange explosion seen in target area. Flak came up through cloud.
30 Mar 44 Nuremburg Good visibility; effective enemy opposition; marking well grouped.
10 Apr 44 Aulnoye Successful attack indicated good results.
18 Apr 44 Rouen Opposition encountered was moderate, resulting in heavy and concentrated attack.
20 Apr 44 Cologne Large explosion in target area; widespread fires in heavy attack.
30 Apr 44 Maintenon Attack very successful. Target located and destroyed.
11 May 44 Hasselt Bombs brought back on instructions of Master Bomber.
19 May 44 Orleans A concentrated attack. Target well marked.
21 May 44 Duisburg Bombed sky markers; no results seen.
22 May 44 Brunswick Bombed fires. Markers scattered.

24 May 44 Aachen A very good attack.
27 May 44 Aachen Concentrated bombing on PFF markers.
31 May 44 Trappes Red target indicators subject to concentrated bombing.

Warrant Officer Gundy, a Canadian, has carried out 30 successful sorties in his first operational tour as an Air Bomber, and throughout the time he has been with the squadron has displayed a constant spirit of determination and a very high standard of keenness and efficiency.

The sorties made by Warrant Officer Gundy against some of the most heavily defended targets in Germany include nine attacks on Berlin, and on all of these operations, in the face of most intense enemy opposition, he has always directed his captain with unerring skill and judgement.

With complete disregard of enemy opposition, this Warrant Officer has completed his allotted task with a high degree of courage, skill and initiative, and by his cooperation, coolness and devotion to duty has contributed in no small measure to the splendid results achieved by his crew.

It is recommended that Warrant Officer Gundy's courage, devotion to duty and fine record of achievement merit consideration for an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Dave Wallace

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