Wellington Z8358 damaged by flak, further damaged on landing at Hutton Cranswick airfield.
On the night of 7th / 8th November 1941 the crew of this aircraft were tasked with flying an operational flight to bomb Berlin, they took off from Pocklington at
23.07hrs but due to heavy cloud they were unable to locate the target so bombed Kiel harbour which was much clearer of cloud. The Wellington was caught in searchlights
and was damaged by flak but the crew were able to evade being shot down and escaped. Crossing the English coast the aircraft began to run out of fuel. The crew managed to locate Hutton Cranswick airfield but the chosen area had a series of steel obstruction poles across it. The pilot was unable to see the obstructions until it was too late to avoid them and the Wellington sustained further damage to the port wing and tail upon striking these poles on landing at 08.03hrs.
Pilot - F/Lt John Emilius Fauquier RCAF (C/1399).
? - Sgt Scott (probably Second Pilot - Sgt William Lawrence Scott RCAF (R/61631) of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada.)
? - P/O G? Gibson.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Frank J Tatro RCAF (R/69827?), of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
? - "Sgt M R Robson." (Possibly wireless operator, Sgt Melvin Peter Frederick Robson RCAF).
? - Sgt Andrew.
He was awarded the DFC for service with 405 Squadron, Gazetted on 4th August 1942, the citation reads.. "Throughout the many sorties in which he had participated this officer has displayed the highest quality of courage and leadership. His ability and grim determination to inflict the maximum damage on the enemy have won the admiration of the squadron he commands. Wing Commander Fauquier took part in the two raids on Essen when a thousand of our aircraft operated each time. He is an exceptional leader."
He was awarded the DSO for service with 405 Squadron, Gazetted on 17th September 1943, the citation reads.. "This officer is a first-class leader whose skilful and courageous example has proved most inspiring. His sterling qualities were well illustrated during an operation against Peenemunde one night in August 1943, and again a few nights later in an attack against Berlin. Wing Commander Fauquier has displayed boundless energy and great drive and has contributed, in a large measure, to the high standard of operational efficiency of the squadron he commands."
He was also awarded the Bar to the DSO for service with 405 Squadron, Gazetted on 3st March 1944, the citation reads.. "This officer has commanded the squadron with notable success during the past nine months. He has frequently taken part in sorties against distant and well defended targets including several attacks on the German capital. He is a forceful and gallant leader whose outstanding ability and unswerving devotion to duty have been reflected in the fine operational work performed by the whole squadron. Group Captain Fauquier has set an example of the highest order."
He was awarded the Second Bar to the DSO, Gazetted on 1st June 1945, for service with 617 Squadron, the citation reads.. "Since assuming command of the squadron in December 1944, this officer has taken part in almost all the sorties to which the formation has been committed. Early in February 1945, Group Captain Fauquier led the squadron in an attack on the U-Boat pens at Poortershaven. Photographs obtained showed that the bombing was accurate and concentrated. Since then, this officer has participated in a number of sorties during which the railway viaduct at Bielefeld, a railway bridge over the river Weser and a viaduct over a flooded meadow near to Ardbergen bridge were all rendered unusable by the enemy. By his brilliant leadership, undoubted skill and iron determination, this officer played a good part in the successes obtained. He has rendered much loyal and valuable service." He was also Mentioned in Despatches, and received the Legion of Honour (France) and Croix de Guerre avec Palm (France).
John Fauquier was born in March 1909 in Ottawa and is regarded as being Canada's greatest bomber pilot. He served in Royal Highlanders of Canada from 1929 to 1931. He learnt to fly at a civilian flying club and then formed Commercial Airways, at Noranda, Quebec and prior to enlisting into the RCAF on 1st November 1939 he had already flown some 3000 hours. He received his commission on enlisting and served as a flying instructor in Canada until June 1941 when he was posted overseas. After arriving in the UK he was posted to 22 OTU in August 1941 and to 405 Squadron on 20th September 1941. He was promoted to S/Ldr on 13th December 1941 and W/Co on 23rd March 1942. After serving with the RCAF Overseas HQ and No.6 Group HQ he was posted back to 405 Squadron on 18th April 1943 where he served until January 1944. After promotion to G/Cpt he had further spells at Group HQ and a promotion to Air Commodore but he later dropped a rank to G/Co and took a posting to Command 617 Squadron (Dambuster Squadron) in December 1944 after it's commanding officer was posted to instructional duties. He was re-patriated to Canada in October 1945 and left the RCAF two months later. He died in Toronto in April 1981. As would be expected for such a time-served pilot and superb leader he received a number of awards.
The Sgt Scott listed above was almost certainly serving as second pilot on this aircraft and was the airman I suggest above. WO1 Scott was reported missing flying Ops to Bremen and failed to return when Halifax W1110 crashed into the North Sea off Holland on 27th June 1942. He was twenty three years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.