Pilot Officer John Andrew "Bud" Allen RCAF, seconded to 93 Squadron R.A.F.
Bill Allen is the nephew of this fallen RCAF Pilot Officer assigned to the 93 Squadron at the time of his death on 12 April 1945 over northern Italy. He has a copy of his logbook from the RCAF from the time of his enlistment until his demise. His last logbook update was at the end of March 1945, a month-end summary of his flights for March 1945. He had accrued a total of 45 sorties over the length of his deployment as of that entry.
Bill's aunt passed along to him all of Bud's information, letters, family scrapbook, and military memorabilia. We had already returned his RCAF logbook to the RCAF Museum in Ottawa, Ontario. He is in possession of a certificate from the RCAF detailing his assignment to the RAF 93 Squadron and the location of his remains in an Allied war cemetery in Italy (See below).
Bill would appreciate any additional information you may have on his Uncle, the RCAF unit to which he may have belonged, details of the 93 RAF Squadron as constituted at the time of his assignment to that squadron, and any list of members that may belong to a Squadron Reunion Committee if such an entity exists. Bill was a baby in Port Colborne, Ontario at the time of completion of Bud's RCAF training in St. Catherine's, Ontario in 1944. Bud was deployed later that year to Cairo to begin his involvement in the war effort.
Please contact him direct at: Bill Allen bajaskylane@charter.net or at the following address:
2501 Temple Avenue
Unit 318
Signal Hill, CA 90755-4035
Tel: 00-1-310) 488-6900
Here are the paragraphs covering the period when Bud Allen was killed from the No 93 Squadron history:
"The final offensive in the Italian Campaign which began on 9th April saw the squadron working at full strength. For the first 8 days of the month objectives were mainly rail cuts on the Rouigo - Padova, Vicenza - Cittadella lines and many cuts were affected. Bombing and straffing attacks were also directed against enemy occupied sites on Islands in Lake Commachio and near to Port Garibaldi and it was during these operations that blaze bombs were used for the first time.
They proved most effective. The blaze bomb attacks were followed by H.E. bombs in the same areas.
The 8th Army push began on 9th April and in the afternoon of that day twelve aircraft of No. 93 Squadron in conjunction with aircraft of other squadrons attacked an area on the Senlo River to prepare the way for advancing troops.
Until the end of the month there was much activity and numerous sorties were flown, mostly against buildings and strong points. As enemy resistance began to lesson, Army Support targets became few and armed recces and offensive patrols became the order of the day. On 30th April, the last day on which the squadron was called on the attack the record number of 41 tanks, cars, and transport vehicles were destroyed and 21 damaged."
It would appear that Bud was killed only 18 days before serious hostilities ceased for No 93 Squadron.
FLIERS TO RECEIVE GOLD DUTY WINGS
Ottawa, Aug. 4-(UP)-Veteran R.C.A.F. fliers in operations all over the world soon will be wearing new wings. Bomber and fighter pilots, navigators, air bombers and gunners - who already wear the single or double wings of their flying category-are to be presented with a set of miniature gold wings on completion of a tour of duty, the R.C.A.F. announced.
The double gold wings centered by an operational "O" are about an inch and half wide, and will be worn on the left breast pocket just below the flap. The emblem is fashioned of sterling silver, the front face being gold.
Newspaper clipping reporting the loss of Bud Allen - killed in action. It says the following:
"Two Port Colborne youths have been reported missing on operations with the R.C.A.F. and R.A.F. overseas, The Tribune learned today. They are Pilot Officer John A "Bud" Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Allen, Steele Street, and Flying Officer Donald W. Wincott, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Wincott, Forest Ave.
A native of Copper Cliff, Ont. where he was born on Nov. 20, 1921, "Bud" Allen attended Steele Street public school and Port Colborne high school. Upon leaving school he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. on April 1, 1942. He graduated at Alyner Ont. in June, 1943 and went overseas the same month. He was transferred to the R.A.F. and trained in Cairo, Egypt. He had been on operations over Italy when he was reported missing, April 12.
"Bud" was prominent in high school sports and was a member of the "Cossa" football champions in 1939. He was a member of St. James' church.
A brother PO James G. Allen is overseas. One sister, Mrs. Jas. Spencer, is now on her way to join her husband in England, and another sister, Jean, is a nurse at the Niagara peninsula sanitarium."
PO. (BUD) ALLEN BURIED IN CEMETERY IN ITALY.
Mr. and Mrs. John S. Allen, Steele Street, have been officially informed that their younger son, Pilot Officer John Andrew (Bud) Allen, reported missing on April 12, is now reported to have lost his life on that day in action in Italy.
Pilot Officer Allen was a Spitfire pilot with Number 93 Squadron, R.A.F. and is buried in the British Empire cemetery at Faenza, Italy.
Statement of Service from the RCAF for Pilot Officer John Andrew "Bud" Allen RCAF.
Letter confirming the burial of Bud Allen in Northern Italy - 26Aug1045.
|
