The J. Laporte Crew of 425 Squadron at Tholthorpe standing in front of aircraft Halifax III PN 172 coded KW-G.
The crew members are, left to right:
F/Sgt L. Veronneau, RCAF,
mid-upper gunner; F/Sgt R. St.Onge, RCAF, rear-gunner; F/O P.
Rodrique, RCAF, Navigator; F/L R. Laporte, RCAF, Pilot;
F/O J. Foley, RCAF, bomb aimer; P/O J. Arcand
, RCAF,
flight engineer; and
F/Sgt J. Lamontagne, RCAF, wireless op.
F/O J. Foley, RCAF, bomb aimer; P/O J. Arcand
, RCAF,
flight engineer; and
F/Sgt J. Lamontagne, RCAF, wireless op.This is the crew that was attacked and shot down over Belgium
on the night of 15-16 March 1945. On the
return leg from their mission, they were spotted by German searchlights
and being unable to hide from them due to clear weather, became
easy prey to JU 88 fighters. All bailed out except the flight engineer,
J Arcand who died that night. The pilot, J.Laporte landed on a barn,
his parachute then folded and he slipped off the barn and hurt his back
hitting the ground. They were rescued and helped by friendly Belgium
farmers.
