Flight Lieutenant Stephen Arthur Bascom DFC was William Gerald Phelan’s bomb aimer. As Phelan he was also an Alouette.
Source: https://www.rcafassociation.ca
BASCOM, F/L Stephen Arthur (J23370)
– Distinguished Flying Cross
– No.420 Squadron
– Award effective 10 May 1945 as per London Gazette dated 22 May 1945 and AFRO 1147/45 dated 13 July 1945.
Born October 1916 in Whitby, Ontario; home in Toronto (bank clerk); enlisted there 26 April 1939 as Clerk.
Promoted LAC, 24 February 1940.
Promoted Corporal, 1 May 1940.
To AFHQ, 15 June 1940.
Promoted Sergeant, 1 February 1941.
To No.4 WS, 7 July 1941.
Remustered to aircrew and posted to No.1 ITS, 1 August 1942;
to No.4 AOS, 21 November 1942; graduated 5 February 1943 when commissioned; posted next day to Mountain View; to No.1 BGS, 22 February 1943.
To \ »Y\ » Depot, 2 August 1943; to United Kingdom, 28 August 1943.
Promoted Flying Officer, 5 August 1943; promoted Flight Lieutenant, 5 February 1945.
Retained rank of Flight Lieutenant as on 1 October 1946.
Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 June 1951.
Security Officer in postwar RCAF Headquarters.
Portrait painted overseas by Eric Aldwinckle.
Medal presented 1 April 1949.
No citation other than
« completed…numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty ».
DHist file 181.009 D.1746 (PAC RG.24 Vol.20608) has recommendation dated 11 January 1945 when he had flown 29 sorties (133 hours 33 minutes):
As Air Bomber, this officer has completed a large number of sorties against enemy targets, and his work in the air has always been of the highest standard. On several occasions, Flying Officer Bascom has coolly directed his skipper in an orbit in the face of very heavy defenses, to ensure the accuracy of his bombing. A resolute and determined Bomb Aimer, Flying Officer Bascom has contributed greatly to the success of his crew.
The sortie list was as follows: (details are from http://www.6bombergroup.ca/)
9 May 1944 – Calais (3.10)
20 Lancasters from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 88 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 433, and 434 Squadrons on an attack of 2 coastal gun batteries at Calais and St. Valery en Caux. The crews were over the targets at between 5,000 and 11,000 feet, releasing 928,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, they were accurately bombed.
10 May 1944 – Ghent (4.15)
24 Lancasters from 408 and 419 squadrons were joined by 90 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, 428, 429, and 433 squadrons on an attack of the rail yard at Ghent. The crews were over the target at between 9,000 and 11,000 feet, releasing 957,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, this attack was successful.
19 May 1944 – Mouliar? Merville-Franceville (3.30)
15 Lancasters from 408 Squadron were joined by 42 Halifaxes from 420, 425, and 426 Squadrons on an attack of the coastal guns at Merville-Franceville. The crews were over the target at between 7,000 and 8,500 feet, releasing 318,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports there was haze over the target and bombing was scattered.
F/O W. Phelan from 425 Squadron landed at Westcott on return.
22 May 1944 – Le Mans (3.20)
112 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 432, and 433 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the rail yards at Le Mans. The crews were over the target at between 7,000 and 9,000 feet, releasing 826,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused.
F/O W. Phelan from 425 Squadron had the stbd inner u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt J. Lecaille was involved in a collision over the target. The tail wheel was torn off. On landing the wing hit the ground and they ground looped. There were no injuries to the crew. P/O E. Laporte RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LK-810 coded KW-Y, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt N. Ward RAF
F/O J. Tetrault RCAF
F/Sgt J. Mallette RCAF
W/O1 J. Laing RCAF
Sgt J. Levasseur RCAF
Sgt R. McGowan RCAF–POW
6 crew were killed and 1 POW.
27 May 1944 – Bourg Léopold (4.20)
32 Lancasters from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 117 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, and 432 Squadrons on an attack of the military camp at Bourg Leopold. The crews were over the target at between 8,000 and 12,000 feet, releasing 1,191,000 lbs of high explosives.
According to reports, bombing was accurate.
F/O E. Kirk from 425 Squadron was attacked by an enemy aircraft, it was claimed destroyed. P/O L. Brochu landed at Chedburgh on return. P/O L. Terroux landed at Desborough on return. W/O2 J. Jean, F/Sgt J. Gaudry, W/Cdr L. Lecomte, P/O C. Jones, and P/O P. Hache landed at Barford St. John on return. W/O2 V. Vincent tried to land at Shipdham due to a fuel shortage. They overshot 4 times in poor visibility and crash-landed. The crew was not injured.
9 June 1944 – Le Mans (5.50)
76 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 431, 432, and 434 squadrons were joined by 24 Lancasters from 408 and 419 squadrons in attacking the airfield at Le Mans. The crews were over the target from between 1,000 and 7,000 feet releasing 838,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports this attack was successful and the airfield was well hit.
Sgt. T. Barton of 425 squadron was hit by flak and attacked by a JU-88. There was no damage or claim on the fighter and flak damage wasn’t serious.
10 June 1944 – Versailles (5.25)
100 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons were joined by 10 Lancasters from 419 squadron on an attack of the rail yards at Versailles. The crews were over the target from between 6,000 and 8,000 feet releasing 788,000 lbs of high explosives. The rail yards were well hit.
P/O L. Brochu from 425 squadron was hit by flak, was not serious. P/O P. Hache was attacked by a twin engine enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
14 June 1944 – St.Pol (3.50)
37 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons were joined by 155 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons on an attack of the rail yards at St. Pol and Cambrai. The crews were over the target at between 6,000 and 13,000 feet, releasing 1,518,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, there was some haze and cloud over the targets and bombing was scattered.
P/O L. Terroux from 425 squadron was attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.
15 June 1944 – Boulogne (3.30)
130 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons were joined by 32 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons on an attack of the dock and harbour area of Boulogne. Crews were over the target at between 9,000 and 17,000 feet, releasing 1,623,000 lbs of high explosives.
S/Ldr. J. Lecomte of 425 squadron was hit by flak, was not serious. F/Sgt. J. Landry was hit by flak, stbd outer u/s and holes in the fuel tanks. They landed safely at base on 3 engines. F/Sgt. J. Irvine had the stbd outer go u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines. F/O E. Kirk, RCAF (Evd), and crew failed to return from this operation.
+Sgt. C. Adams, RAF
F/O H. Facey, RCAF–POW
F/O D. Stubbs, RCAF–POW
F/O F. Hagen, RCAF–Evd
+P/O D. McEvoy, RCAF
F/Sgt. J. Furneaux, RCAF–Evd
P/O O. Collins, RCAF–Evd
2 of the crew were killed, 2 were POWs and 4 evaded capture.
16 June 1944 – Sautrecourt (3.55)
While part of the group went to Sterkrade, 101 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, and 433 squadrons were ordered to attack a V-1 site in the Pas de Calais area called Sautrecourt. The crews were over the target between 14,000 and 17,000 feet, releasing 760,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was well hit.
F/O W. Dennett from 425 squadron was attacked by 2 ME-110s. There was no claim or damage. + F/O H. Romuld was returning from this operation when he was fired upon by another Halifax. Gun fire came through the windscreen fatally wounding the pilot. The bomb aimer took over the controls and safely landed at Woodbridge.
21 June 1944 – St. Martin (4.10)
66 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, and 432 squadrons were joined by 39 Lancasters from 408, 419 and 428 squadron on an attack on a V-1 site at St.Martin L’Hortier. The crews were over the target at between 15,000 and 17,000 feet, releasing 830,000 lbs of high explosives. The target was cloud covered at the time of the attack.
66 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, and 432 squadrons were joined by 39 Lancasters from 408, 419 and 428 squadron on an attack on a V-1 site at St.Martin L’Hortier. The crews were over the target at between 15,000 and 17,000 feet, releasing 830,000 lbs of high explosives. The target was cloud covered at the time of the attack.
23 June 1944 – Bientques (4.20)
65 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, and 432 squadrons were joined by 39 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons on an attack of a V-1 site at Bientques. The crews were over the target at between 10,000 and 14,000 feet, releasing 865,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was well hit.
W/O2 J. Ryan from 425 squadron returned early as they were unable to raise the under carriage. F/O H. Gregson had the port inner go u/s outbound. Crew bombed and returned safely to base on 3 engines.
27 June 1944 – Forêt d’Eary (4.05)
41 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons were joined by 169 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons on attack of 2 V-1 sites at Wizernes and Foret D’Eary in the Pas de Calais area. The crews were over the targets at between 12,000 and 14,000 feet, releasing 1,513,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, all attacks were successful.
Sgt M. Lavoie from 425 squadron, flying Halifax III MZ-683 coded KW-A, was returning from Forêt D’Eary on 3 engines. On landing, the Halifax swung and crashed into LW-680 KW-U, which was loaded with bombs and MZ-618 KW-J, which had just returned from Foret D’Eawy. All aircraft caught fire. Aircrew and ground crew worked hard at extricating trapped crewmembers amid fires and huge explosions. All crewmembers were rescued with injuries, some serious. Air Commodore A. Ross was seriously injured in these explosions helping with the rescue of the trapped airmen, his arm was severed below the elbow. Lac MacKenzie and Lac Wolfe were also injured during this rescue. A/C A. Ross received the George Cross, F/Sgt J. St. Germain and Cpl M. Marguet the George Medal, Lac M. MacKenzie and Lac R. Wolfe a BEM, for acts of bravery during this trying time.
1 July 1944 – Biennais (4.10)
11 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, 431, 432, and 434 were ordered on an operation to the V-1 launching site at Biennais. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 14,000 feet, releasing 797,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was cloud covered.
3 July 1944 – Biennais (3.55)
99 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, 431, 432, and 434 squadrons were ordered on an attack of a V-1 site at Biennais. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 13,500 feet, releasing 786,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the sky was clear and this site was accurately bombed.
Note the date has to be validated because 4 July is mentioned in the Website Bomber Group 6.
6 July 1944 – Coquereaux (4.25)
12 Lancasters from 408 squadron were joined by 48 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, and 432 squadron on an attack of the V-1 site at Coquereaux. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 13,000 feet, releasing 389,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was clear and accurate bombing took place.
15 July 1944 – Nucourt (4.10)
27 Lancaster from 408 and 419 squadrons were joined by 64 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, and 432 squadron on an attack of the Nucourt V-1 storage site and the launching site at Bois des Jardines. The crews were over the targets at between 6,000 and 12,000 feet, releasing 1,023,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, both targets were accurately bombed.
F/O N. Streight and crew from 425 Squadron flying Halifax III LW-381 coded KW-B was attacked by a single engine enemy aircraft, which fired 2 rockets, there was no claim or damage.
17 July 1944 – Caen A.1 (4.05)
42 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 were joined by 155 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons on a number of attacks in the Caen and Mondeville areas. These attacks were made at dawn in direct support of the army. All the crews were over the targets from between 7,000 to 9,000 feet, unloading 1,750,000 lbs of ordinance. The German troops on the ground were hit hard and this was one of the best bombing raids that supported the army. A total of 6,800 tons of ordinance was dropped.
Note the date has to be validated because 18 July is mentioned in the Website Bomber Group 6.
18 July 1944 – Wesseling (5.20)
42 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons were joined by 111 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 432, and 433 squadrons on an attack on the oil plant Wesseling. The crews were over the target at between 11,000 and 14,000 feet, releasing 1,286,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the weather was clear and severe damage was done to this facility.
P/O V. Lacaille from 425 squadron returned early as the stbd outer caught fire after takeoff. They returned safely to base on 3 engines. + F/O A. Taillon RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-672 coded KW-N, failed to return from this operation.
+F/Sgt. W. Cameron RCAF
+Sgt. P. Kinnear RAF
+P/O J. Dufour RCAF
Sgt. J. Arsenault RCAF–POW
+P/O W. Watson RCAF
+P/O J. Giroux RCAF
+P/O N. Boucher RCAF
7 crew members were killed and one was a POW.
3 August 1944 – Forêt de Nieppe (4.15)
210 Halifaxes from 408, 425, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons were joined by 51 Lancasters from 408, 419 and 428 squadrons on an attack of two V-1 storage sites at Forêt de Nieppe and Bois de Cassan. The crews were over these targets at between 14,000 and 16,000 feet, releasing 2,266,000 lbs. of high explosives. According to reports, the weather was clear and severe damage was caused.
4 August 1944 – Bois de Cassan (4.55)
159 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 were joined by 42 Lancasters from 408, 419 and 428 squadrons on an attack on the V-1 storage site at Bois De Cassan. The crews were over the target at between 13,000 and 16,000 feet, releasing 1,856,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was damaged.
5 August 1944 – St. Leu d’Esserent (5.05)
172 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons were joined by 52 Lancasters from 408, 419 and 428 squadrons on an attack of a V-1 storage site at St. Leu D’Esserent. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 17,000 feet, releasing 2,553,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was good and damage was caused.
S/Ldr G. Philbin RCAF–Evd and crew from 425 squadron, flying Halifax III LL-594 coded KW-U, failed to return from this operation.
+F/Sgt W. Gracie RCAF
+P/O R. Reed RCAF
+P/O T. Lee RCAF
+F/O L. Stamp RAF
Sgt C. Hilliard RCAF–POW
+F/O G. Beresford RAF
+W/O B. Clark RAF
1 crewmember evaded, 1 was a POW and, 6 were killed after they were shot down by flak.
7 August 1944 – La Hogue (4.15)
182 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons were joined by 40 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons on an attack of German positions around Caen. The crews were over the target at between 8,000 and 10,000 feet, releasing 1,457,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, roads and the strong points were well cratered.
F/O H. Gregson from 425 squadron returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines. All other crews did not bomb on the master bomber’s orders.
Note the place has to be validated because Caen is mentioned in the Website Bomber Group 6.
9 August 1944 – Forêt de Nieppe (3.55)
104 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, and 432 squadrons were joined by 9 Lancasters from 408 squadron, on an attack of a V-1 launching and storage site at Foret de Nieppe in the Pas de Calais area. The crews were over the targets at between 11,000 and 17,000 feet, releasing 1,092,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the weather was good and all sites were accurately bombed.
W/O2 J. Ryan from 425 Squadron returned early, one engine was u/s after take off. They proceeded on to the target and the second engine threw the propellor. They landed safely at Manston on 2 engines. F/O N. Streight and crew, flying Halifax III LW-381 coded KW-B, was attacked by an ME-109, there was no claim or damage.
16 August 1944 – Kiel (5.30)
144 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, and 434 squadron were ordered to attack the port city of Kiel. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 310,000 lbs of high explosives and 545,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports the dock area and ship-building firms were damaged.
6 October 1944 – Dortmund (5.55)
248 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons were joined by 45 Lancasters from 419 and 428 squadrons on an attack at Dortmund. This was the greatest effort that the 6 group would send out during the war. The crews were over the target between 17,000 and 20,500 feet releasing 1,510,000 lbs of high explosives and 383,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and the transportation and industrial sections were well hit.
P/O A. Martel from 425 Squadron returned early due to the stbd inner going u/s. Landed at base on 3 engines. F/O G. Lareau returned early as they were unable to raise the under carriage. F/O T. MacKinnon and crewn flying Halifax III LW-381 coded KW-Bn were attacked by an ME-110, some strikes were seen and it was claimed damaged.
RCAF 425 Alouettes II 