Joseph Larichelière facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Larichelière
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| Born | 3 December 1912 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | 16 August 1940 (aged 27) English Channel |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service/ |
Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Pilot Officer |
| Unit | No. 213 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
Joseph Émile Paul Larichelière (born December 3, 1912 – died August 16, 1940) was a brave Canadian pilot. He served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was known for shooting down six enemy planes in the air.
Joseph was born in Montreal, Canada. He joined the RAF in 1939. After learning to fly, he became a pilot for the Hawker Hurricane fighter plane. In May 1940, he joined No. 504 Squadron. Later, he moved to No. 213 Squadron. Joseph flew many missions during the early part of the Battle of Britain. He achieved all six of his victories in just three days in August 1940. He went missing during a battle and was believed to have died in action.
Early Life and Training
Joseph Émile Paul Larichelière was born on December 3, 1912, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His parents were French-Canadians. After finishing school, he went to the University of Montreal and graduated in 1933. He kept studying part-time while working.
In early 1939, he decided to join the Royal Air Force (RAF). He traveled to England to begin his flight training. Joseph started learning to fly at a school near Cambridge. He did very well in his training. On October 23, 1939, he officially became a pilot officer.
Joining the War Effort
Joseph became a pilot officer a month after the Second World War began. He continued his flight training and earned his pilot's "wings" in early 1940. By May, he was learning to fly the Hawker Hurricane fighter plane.
On May 18, he joined No. 504 Squadron. His squadron flew Hurricanes from Debden. They were getting ready to move to France to help the British forces fighting there. However, because Joseph was new, he was sent to No. 213 Squadron instead.
His new squadron was based at Wittering. They had just returned from France. A part of the squadron was still flying missions to France. They helped protect the soldiers being evacuated from Dunkirk. Joseph did not take part in these missions. Instead, he focused on becoming fully ready for combat.
Fighting in the Battle of Britain
In June, Joseph's squadron moved to Exeter in southwest England. Their job was to patrol the coast. Joseph flew these patrols often in July and August. The fighting became more intense as the Battle of Britain grew. By August, his squadron was flying up to eight patrols every day.
On August 13, a day known as Adlertag (Eagle Day), the German air force (Luftwaffe) launched a huge attack. They targeted RAF airfields. Joseph was on patrol when he saw a Junkers Ju 88 medium bomber. He chased it for 15 minutes, firing his Hurricane's machine guns. He damaged the bomber so much that it crashed into the sea. Soon after, he shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter that flew over the crash site.
Later that same day, Joseph accidentally flew into a group of Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighters. He quickly fired at one Bf 110 as he left. He saw it break apart in the air.
Two days later, on August 15, Joseph's squadron and two others were sent to stop a large group of German planes. These included Junkers Ju 87 dive bombers and their escorts, Bf 109s and Bf 110s. Joseph fought bravely. He destroyed a Bf 110 south of Portland. Then, he chased and shot down a Ju 87, watching it fall into the English Channel. When he returned to the main fight, he destroyed another Bf 110. One of its engines exploded, and it also crashed into the sea.
The next day, August 16, Joseph and his fellow pilots were sent to intercept another German bomber group heading for Portland. Joseph got into a dogfight over the Isle of Wight. He did not return to Exeter. It was believed he was shot down over the English Channel and died. His grave is unknown. He is remembered at the Runneymeade Memorial in Englefield Green. Joseph Larichelière is credited with destroying six enemy aircraft.
