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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.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

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

Photo

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