Operation: Normandy invasion support

Date: 08th June 1944 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 63 Squadron (motto: Pone nos ad hostem - 'Follow us to find the enemy')

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: P8747

Code: -

Base: RAF Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire

Location: Bayeux, France

Pilot: F/O. Charles Norman Gall NZ/411492 RNZAF Age 23. Safe

REASON FOR LOSS:

Spotting for the Royal Navy when he was shot down by an Me109. The young New Zealand pilot baled out behind the newly taken allied lines.

Citation - Distinguished Flying Cross 06th November 1944:

'F/O. Gall has taken part in many operational sorties, including several photographic reconnaissances. His tenacity, skill and courage have been at all times outstanding and he has achieved some excellent results. On one occasion recently, Flying Officer Gall was forced to leave his aircraft by parachute when over France. Despite this trying experience he has continued to display undiminished enthusiasm for operational flying'.

Above: W/O. John Gordon Wilson NZ/417300 (killed 25th July 1943), Fl/Sgt. Charles Norman Gall NZ/411492, Fl/Sgt. Arthur Norman Sames NZ/411453 (died 12th December 1980) and Sgt. Keith Granville Taylor-Cannon NZ/412284 (killed 13th April 1945).

Citation - Mention in Despatches 01st January 1946:

'For distinguished service and devotion to duty. Served two tours, the first with 486 squadron RNZAF and the second with 63 squadron.

Above: Fl/Sgt. Arthur Norman Sames, of Onehunga,Fl/Sgt. Norman Edward Preston NZ.41937, of Wellington, Sgt. Donald Macalister NZ/415343, of Palmerston North, Sgt. Leo Walker NZ/412290, of New Plymouth, F/O. Ian Dousland Waddy NZ/402915, of Marlborough, F/O. John Gordon Thomson NZ/413510, of Manakau, and (in front) Fl/Sgt. Charles Norman Gall, of Waikato.

None - survived the war. F/O. Charles Norman Gall. Son of Adam Frederick Charles Gall (Died 03rd December 1958, age 72) and Christina (Died 03rd December 1958, age 69) Gall, sister of Aileen Alexander Close (née Gall - born 16th October 1921 - died 1984) of Ngaruawahia, New Zealand. Trained at No. 10 Service Flying Training School, Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada. Awarded pilot badge and promoted to sergeant on the 25th September 1941. Member of the ‘Caterpillar Club’.

Passed away at Warkworth on the 01st June 1971, age just 50. Buried at Purewa Cemetery, Meadowbank, Auckland, New Zealand on the 05th August 1971.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. Cherie Boggiss who photographed his grave for us in October 2021, 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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