Lionel Gaunce facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lionel Gaunce
|
|
|---|---|
Portrait of Gaunce, made by Cuthbert Orde in 1941
|
|
| Born | 20 September 1915 Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada |
| Died | 19 November 1941 (aged 26) off the French Coast |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service/ |
Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1936–1941 † |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Commands held | No. 41 Squadron No. 46 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Lionel Gaunce (born September 20, 1915 – died November 19, 1941) was a brave Canadian pilot. He was known as a "flying ace" because he shot down at least six enemy aircraft. He served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II.
Lionel Gaunce was born in Lethbridge, Canada. He joined the RAF in 1936. After his training, he was sent to No. 3 Squadron. When World War II began, he was recovering from injuries. In early 1940, he went to France with No. 615 Squadron. He flew during the early parts of the Battle of France. He got his first aerial victory during the Battle of Britain. From late October 1940, he led No. 46 Squadron. He became sick at the end of that year.
After some time on ground duties, he returned to flying in July 1941. He became the commander of No. 41 Squadron. He was killed when his Supermarine Spitfire plane crashed into the sea. This happened off the French coast after it was hit by anti-aircraft fire.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the RAF
Lionel Manley Gaunce was born on September 20, 1915. His parents were Hope and Earl Gaunce. They lived in Lethbridge, a town in Alberta, Canada. He went to school in Edmonton. Before joining the RAF, he served for two years in the Canadian Militia. This was a part-time military force.
In January 1936, he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF). This was the United Kingdom's air force. He started his flight training at Ansty. He then became a pilot officer. This is a junior officer rank. He continued his training at Sealand. Once he earned his pilot's "wings" badge, he finished his training. In October, he was sent to No. 3 Squadron.
At first, No. 3 Squadron was based at Kenley. They flew Bristol Bulldog fighter planes. A few months later, they received newer Gloster Gladiator fighters. Gaunce was officially made a pilot officer in early 1937. Eighteen months later, he was promoted to flying officer. In April 1939, he became an acting flight lieutenant. This meant he was a leader of a group of planes. Two months later, he had a motorcycle accident. He was in the hospital for over a month. He spent more weeks recovering after that.
World War II: A Pilot's Story
Gaunce did not return to flying duties until after World War II began. He went back to his previous rank of flying officer. By this time, No. 3 Squadron was flying Hawker Hurricane fighters. In February 1940, he moved to No. 615 Squadron. This squadron was based in France. They flew Gladiator planes. They saw little action until May 10, when Germany invaded France.
His new unit's planes were upgraded to Hurricanes. They became very busy protecting bombers and stopping enemy planes. The squadron returned to England on May 23 for a rest. Gaunce and five other pilots were briefly sent to Manston. They joined No. 604 Squadron for a week. Then Gaunce returned to his squadron at Kenley.
Fighting in the Battle of Britain
No. 615 Squadron soon joined the air battles over the English Channel and southern England. On July 20, Gaunce destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane. This happened near Cap Gris-Nez in France. Five days later, he shot down another Bf 109 near Dover. On August 6, he was promoted to flight lieutenant.
On August 12, he was on a mission near Beachy Head. He shot down one Bf 109. He also claimed another as "probably destroyed." On August 16, he damaged a Messerschmitt Bf 110 south of Brighton. Two days later, near Kenley, he damaged another Bf 109. In this fight, his own Hurricane was shot down. He had to parachute out of his plane. He received minor burns.
For his success in these air battles, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. This is a military award for bravery in air combat. The award was announced on August 23. The official statement said:
This flight commander has shown great calmness and leadership. In July 1940, his flight helped stop an enemy air attack on Dover. Three of our planes were attacked by forty Junkers 87s. At least two enemy planes were shot down. Flight Lieutenant Gaunce has shot down three enemy aircraft since returning to England.
Gaunce was briefly in the hospital. He returned to No. 615 Squadron on August 26. That day, he destroyed a Bf 109 over the Thames Estuary. On the same day, he was shot down again. He parachuted into the sea. He was burned and in shock. He was treated at Herne Bay hospital. He did not return to his unit until September 15. By this time, the squadron was resting in Scotland.
In late October, Gaunce was promoted to acting squadron leader. He became the commander of No. 46 Squadron. This unit also flew Hurricane planes. It was based at Stapleford Tawney. By this time, the German air attacks on England were becoming less intense. So, the squadron was not in action very often.
On November 11, his squadron was sent to stop an attack by Italian planes. Gaunce shot down one Fiat CR.42 fighter. He probably destroyed a second one. He also shared in destroying a Fiat BR.20 bomber. The next month, he became ill. He had to give up command of No. 46 Squadron.
Later War Service and Final Mission
Gaunce was given non-flying duties for several months. In July 1941, he was given command of No. 41 Squadron. His new unit flew Supermarine Spitfire fighter planes. They were part of the Fighter Command's "Circus offensive." This involved flying missions into German-occupied France.
On August 20, he damaged a Bf 109 near Le Havre. The next day, he shared in the probable destruction of another near Dunkirk. He damaged a Bf 109 over Saint-Omer on August 27. The next day, near Le Havre, he damaged a second one. On September 1, his squadron leader rank became permanent. He damaged a Bf 109 south of Boulogne. This was his last aerial victory.
On November 19, he was flying a mission to France. His Spitfire was hit by anti-aircraft fire near Ivigny. He was seen crashing into the sea off Janville. It was believed he was killed.
Gaunce was survived by his wife, Queenie Paula Scott. They had been married for four years. He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial in England. After the war, a mountain in Alberta's Jasper National Park was named after him.
He is officially credited with shooting down six enemy aircraft. One of these was shared with another pilot. He is also credited with three aircraft probably destroyed (one shared) and six damaged.
