Latta, John Blandford
- Date of birth:
- August 6th, 1914 (Vancouver/British Columbia, Canada)
- Date of death:
- January 12th, 1941
- Buried on:
- Air Forces Memorial Runnymede
- Service number:
- 42008
- Nationality:
- Canadian
Biography
John Blandford Latta was the son to Lieutenant-Colonel William S. Latta and Bertha A. Latta. He is being comemmorated at the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 33.
Promotions:
May 5th, 1930: Private;
April 29th, 1939: Acting Pilot Officer on probation;
November 5th, 1939: Pilot Officer on probation;
March 6th, 1940: Pilot Officer;
November 6th, 1940: Flying Officer.
Career:
May 5th, 1930 - February 16th, 1933: 16th Canadian Scottish Regiment;
February 1939 - November 1939: Operational Training Unit;
November 6th, 1939 - January 12th, 1941: No. 242 Squadron.
Victories:
May 29th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109E;
May 31st, 1940: Messrschmitt Bf 109E;
July 10th, 1940: Heinkel He 111;
August 21st, 1940: Dornier Do 17;
September 9th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109E;
September 15th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109E;
September 27th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109E;
September 27th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109E.
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- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Pilot Officer
- Unit:
- No. 242 (Canadian) Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- November 8th, 1940
Citation:
"Pilot Officer Latta has destroyed eight enemy aircraft in operations over France and this country. On one occasion, his squadron attacked a number of Messerschmitt 109's. This officer destroyed one and, although his own aircraft had been hit in the wings and tail by cannon shells, attacked and destroyed a second enemy aircraft. He has displayed thfe utmost coolness in the midst of fierce combat."
LG 34987/6441.
Sources
- Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
- - The London Gazette of 5th December 1939, Issue 34747
- The London Gazette of 26th March 1940, Issue 34817
- The London Gazette of 8th November 1940, Issue 34987
- The London Gazette of 7th january 1941, Issue 35037
- Ciel de la Gloire