Operation: Patrol

Date: 30th July 1944 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 184 Squadron (motto: Nihil impenetrabile - 'Nothing impenetrable'). 129 Wing

Type: Typhoon IB

Serial: JP495

Code: BR-?

Base: B.5 ALG Le Fresne Camilly, Calvados, France

Location: Aunay-sur-Odon

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Henry Mathias Laflamme J/15983 (R/74490) RCAF Age 23. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 19th December 1942 flying Hurricane Iic HU508 whilst with 33 squadron took off from Benina airfield in Benghazi, Libya at 06:55 hrs. Th conditions were described as half-light with the flare path unlit. Realised he had drifted to the left and during correction struck the tail of Hurricane BV137 which was parked in the dispersal area. After his aircraft hit the ground his port wing hit the port undercarriage of Hurricane Z5061 before coming to rest. No injuries to the pilot but the three aircraft received category II damage.

Taking off at 16:55 hrs with 5 others - 3 sections of 2 led by Fl/Lt. Gross, F/O. Orr and Fl/Lt. Laflamme. Each aircraft were armed with 8 rocket projectiles and tasked with an attack on German tanks on roads leading south of Aunay-sur-Odon.

The Squadron dived from 12,000 to 2,000 feet out of the cloud in slight dive coming out over target area. A considerable amount of light flak was encountered. Fl/Lt. Lanausne received a direct hit, turned over on his back and was seen to hit the ground. None of the other pilots saw bale out.

Due to cloud only Fl/Lt. Douglas Haig Gross fired his rockets. The remaining 5 landed safely back at the advanced landing ground by 18:00 hrs, although 3 aircraft had suffered damage from the flak.

Burial details:

Body recovered by Canadian army on the 01st August 1944 three miles north east of Aunay-sur-Odon and buried on the 04th August 1944.

Fl/Lt. Henry Mathias Laflamme. Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery. XVIII. H. 4. Born on the 18th June 1921 in Wales, Ontario. Worked as an office clerk at chicken hatchery for 2 years prior to service. Enlisted on the 14th November 1940.

Trained at No. 2 Service Flying Training School at Uplands. No. 1 Initial Training School in Victoriaville. No. 13 Elementary Flying Training School in Eugene. Awarded his pilot wings in September 1941 and promoted to sergeant. Posted to No. 9 Service Flying Training School at Summerside. Embarked Canada for England on the 18th September 1941. With No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre on the 28th September 1941. Further training with No. 56 Operational Training Unit. Joined 601 squadron at Duxford on the 29th November 1941. Posted to 33 squadron on the 21st February 1942. Awarded commission on the 03rd September 1942. Returned to England on the 19th January 1944. Joined 184 Squadron on the 08th June 1944.

Son of Henry Mathias (died 1974, age 81) and Albertha Laflamme (née Poitevin - died 1963, age 65) of Wales, Ontario. One brother, Hoch, and two sisters Rose Marie and Francoise (died 2000, age 68). Epitaph: 'Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him, O Lord'.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the National Archives Kew, AIR-27-1138-23/24. Paradie RCAF Archives, Government of Canada.

Pages regarding 1944 Losses
Pages detailing RCAF Losses

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