254524 Albert Jacob Augustine Royal Canadian Air Force 432 (Leaside) Squadron from:Ontario, Canada (d.10th Aug 1990) The following was shared with me by the son of my step-grandfather Albert Jacob Augustin), when I asked him for information regarding my grandfather's service in the war.
My father joined the RCAF I believe in 1943 at Westdale High School in Hamilton. It operated as a school during the daytime and served as a training facility all night. At one time the school was the largest building in the British empire complete with rifle range in the basement. After his basic training he was selected for aircrew and became an air gunner. Next stop was Gimli, Manitoba, for air gunnery training before going overseas.
He joined the 432 Squadron known as Leaside which was located at East Moor in England. It was part of the 6 Bomber Group and he flew as a tail gunner in a 4 engine Halifax bomber. He completed 36 missions with most being over industrial targets over Germany. His squadron flew night missions while the Americans flew during the daylight. He completed an extra 6 missions (30 was a normal tour) so he could return to Canada on leave in 1945.
When he got to Toronto by train at Union Station in 1945 he heard the war in Europe was over. He was assigned to train on new Lincoln bombers for the war in Asia after his leave ended. Fortunately the war ended and he was mustered out.
He and your grandmother went to England to attend the Bomber Group reunion at York, England, in the late 1980s. It was a highlight of the last years of his life. His 432 Squadron also had reunions in Toronto which he attended as he kept in touch with his fellow aircrew after the war ended.
Evidently the casualty rate was 50% for bomber command aircrew, with the life expectancy of a tail gunner of 8 missions. Grumpy was a very fortunate to survive his extended tour of duty.
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