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Sutherland, Clarence Bentley "Larry"

Date of birth:
(Truro/Nova Scotia, Canada)
Date of death:
May 23rd, 2012 (Sebastian/Florida, United States)
Service number:
J.86114
Nationality:
Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Unit:
No. 207 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
July 11th, 1944
Citation:
"One night in June 1944, Flying Officer McIntosh and Pilot Officer Sutherland were rear and mid-upper gunners respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Cerisy. Just after crossing the enemy coast, Flying Officer McIntosh sighted a Junkers 88 coming in to attack. He promptly warned his pilot who took the necessary combat maneuver.
Both gunners then opened fire, hitting the enemy aircraft with well placed bursts, causing it to spin towards the ground with both its engines on fire.
Almost immediately another Junkers 88 was sighted. As the enemy aircraft came into range, Flying Officer McIntosh and his co-gunner met the attacker with devastating bursts of fire which caused it to explode in the air.
Half an hour later, these gunners engaged yet a third enemy aircraft. Following their accurately placed bursts of fire the enemy fighter fell away and was seen to catch fire before it hit the sea.
Flying Officer McIntosh and Pilot Officer Sutherland defended their aircraft with great skill and resolution and undoubtedly played a large part in its safe return. Their achievement was worthy of high praise.

Award effective 11 July 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 2052/44 dated 22 September 1944.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Unit:
No. 207 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
December 8th, 1944
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Citation:
"Pilot Officer Sutherland is an air gunner with a fine operational record. He has participated in the destruction of seven enemy aircraft and damaged one. Three have been destroyed since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. His aircraft have been in combat on other occasions and his accurate gunnery and coolness under fire have been outstanding. In July 1944 the bomber in which he was flying was attacked five times by enemy fighters near Stuttgart. This officer assisted in destroying two of them and driving off the remainder."

Second DFC received in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.
Award published in the London Gazette dated 8 December 1944 and AFRO 293/45 dated 16 February 1945.

Sources

  • - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 7th July 1944, Issue 36603, dated 11th July 1944
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 5th December 1944, Issue 36831, dated 8th December 1944
    - Find a Grave
    - Aces of World War II

Photo