Operation: Dive Bombing, France

Date: 12th August 1944 (Saturday)

Unit No: 438 (Wild Cat) Squadron, RCAF, 143 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: MN687

Code: F3:S

Base: ALG B.9 Lantheuil, France

Location: Le Haut des Vers, France

Pilot: Flt Lt. Theodore Alexander ‘Ted’ Bugg J11316 RCAF Age 24. KiA

Above: Flt Lt. Theodore Alexander ‘Ted’ Bugg from his Service Record

438 Sqn, Typhoon Ib, MN538, FS:N:

On the 12th June 1944 returning from a successful dive bombing mission against vehicle concentrations near Verdun in France Plt Off. Bugg’s Typhoon began to lose oil pressure and eventually the engine cut out. He was forced to bale out into the sea off St. Catherine’s Point, Isle of Wight at 13:15 hrs. He spent 15 mins in his dinghy before being picked up by the Royal Navy and was back with his unit the next day.

REASON FOR LOSS

On the 12th August 1944 at 19:00 hrs Flt Lt. Bugg took off from B.9 Lantheuil with two other Typhoons detailed to bomb a bridge that it was vital to destroy.

Note: the bridge is believed to be the one crossing the River Orne and is some 1¼ km (¾ ml) due north of Saint-Philbert-sur-Orne and less than 170 m. (550 ft) due west of where Flt Lt. Bugg’s aircraft crashed.

At approximately 19:20 hrs whilst diving on the target Flt Lt. Bugg’s Typhoon exploded in mid-air. Intense, accurate, heavy and light Flak was encountered and it was believed that his aircraft had received a direct hit. He was not seen to bale out.

The bombs from the other two aircraft overshot the target and no results were observed.

The RCAF Overseas Headquarters (HQ) received a letter from a Mr. Maurice Adam of Route du Fauconnier, Mayenne in France. He wrote that he was staying at No. 5 Le Haut des Vers when a fighter plane was shot down by German Flak and crashed in the garden. The pilot’s remains were buried in the southern corner of the garden. Mr. Adam found the identity bracelet of the pilot which he handed into the police station at Falaise, some 14½ km (9 mls) ENE of Le Haut des Vers. The name 'TED BUGG' was inscribed on one side of the disc and on the other side was ‘J11316 Love Ruth’.

Burial details:

Above: Grave marker for Flt Lt. Theodore Alexander ‘Ted’ Bugg (Courtesy of Woose – FindAGrave)

Flt Lt. Theodore Alexander ‘Ted’ Bugg. Recovered from Le Haut des Vers on the 6th July 1945 and laid to rest at the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, XVIII.H.13. Inscription: “I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH. 2.TIM. IV.7”. Born on the 16th April 1920 in Robsart, Saskatchewan. Son of Thomas Osborne and Vivian Belva (née Crowky) Bugg of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Husband of Ruth Irene (née Smillie) Bugg, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Researched by Ralph Snape and dedicated to this pilot and his family.

Other sources as quoted below:

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