John Emilius Fauquier: Difference between revisions
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| name =John Emilius “Johnny” Fauquier |
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Revision as of 22:10, 26 April 2008
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John Emilius “Johnny” Fauquier | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 March 1909 |
| Died | April 3, 1981 (aged 72) |
John Emilius “Johnny” Fauquier, DSO**, DFC (March 19 1909 - April 3 1981) was a pioneering Canadian aviator and exceptional Second World War Bomber Command leader.
Early years
John Emilius "Johnny" Fauquier was born at Ottawa, Ontario on March 19, 1909, educated at Ashbury College and then entered the investment business at Montreal, Quebec where he joined a flying club. After earning his commercial pilot's licence he formed Commercial Airways at Noranda, Quebec and prior to the Second World War had flown some 3,000 hours as pilot in command on bush operations.
Second World War
He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939 as a Flight Lieutenant, completed an advanced course and served until mid-1941 as instructor of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan instructors. After a short period in England at a glider and paratrooper training center, he was posted to No. 405 Squadron and by February 1942 had been promoted to Wing Commander and given command of the squadron. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry.
Shortly afterwards he was seconded from operations to the RCAF's Overseas Headquarters for staff duties, then served a short term with No. 6 Group before once more taking command of No. 405 Squadron. In 1943 he was promoted to Group Captain, for his leadership of that squadron., which had become a member of No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group.
During the epic raid on Peenemunde, Germany, during August of 1943, he acted as deputy master bomber, making 17 passes over the target. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) with the following citation: "This officer is a first-class leader whose skillful and courageous example has proved most inspiring. His sterling qualities were well illustrated during an operation against Peenemunde one night in August and again a few nights later in an attack on Berlin. Group Captain Fauquier has displayed boundless energy and great drive and has contributed, in large measure, to the high standard of operational efficiency of the squadron he commands."
During January 1944 he completed his second tour of operations with No. 405 Squadron after flying 38 sorties. He was then awarded a Bar to his DSO with the accompanying citation: "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."
After promotion to Air Commodore, which rank precluded his operational flying, he voluntarily reverted to Group Captain so that he might begin a third tour of operations, this time as commanding officer of No. 617 Squadron (Dambuster) , Royal Air Force, which he led from December 1944. Subsequently he led them on raids against submarine pens, viaducts and the last of the German battleships, Tirpitz. Under his command No. 617 Squadron dropped the first 22,000 pound "grand slam" bombs. To conserve them, he developed the tactic of flying low near the target while the squadron released several bombs at a time. As soon as the target was hit, he signaled the remaining bombers to return to base, with their bomb loads intact.
With the end of the war in Europe, he was awarded a second Bar to his DSO, the only Canadian officer to be so decorated, with the following citation: "Since assuming command of No. 616 Squadron in December, 1944, this officer has taken part in almost all of the aerial 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 Portshaven. 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 at Bremen, and a viaduct, were all rendered unusable to the enemy. By this 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."
Honours and legacy
References
- Oswald, Mary, They Led the Way, Wetaskiwin: Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, 1999. ISBN 0-9684843-0-1