Page 10 - November (Remembrance)2020

Squadron Leader Robert Ross Ferguson F/Lt Don Walz
Nickname “Curly”
Bob Ferguson's flight training
took place over the winter of Walz was somewhat of
a rarity among airmen
1940-41. Assigned to Night
Fighter, 410 Cougar of WW2, having earned
a private pilot's licence
Squadron, whose job was to
protect the coast of Scotland prewar, when he owned
and, later, England. The first a
official sortie of No. 410
Squadron was from RAF half share in a deHavilland Puss Moth and logged 37
Drem, East Lothian, Scotland, hours flying.
th
on the night of June 4 1942,
when twelve Beaufighter Don enlisted in the RCAF in early 1941, though he was
crews took off. not called up until later that year.
Because he had previous flying experience, he was
It went on to become the top-scoring night fighter squadron
in the RAF Second Tactical Air Force during the period designated as a flying instructor, passing through schools
between D-Day and VE-Day. 410 Cougar Squadron at Moose Jaw and Trenton before being sent to instruct
supported the Allied forces flying nightly patrols during the at High River, Alberta and because so many BCATP
Normandy Landings and the Battle of the Bulge, during schools were operated by civilian contractors, he was
also given long-term leave from the RCAF. Don
which time and many of its pilots gained ace status.
Ferguson was promoted rapidly, achieving the rank of Flying instructed for about 18 months before he then to
Officer in October, 1942, Flight Lieutenant in January 1943, Dunnville, Ont., for training on Harvards. He went next
and Squadron Leader in January 1944. Ferguson also quickly to the RCAF Home War Establishment's 127 (Fighter)
developed a reputation for innovative training and Squadron at Dartmouth, N.S.
meticulous preparation with his squadron and took them up Christmas 1943 saw Don and 127 Squadron designated
at night where they would chase each other in the dark in the 443 Squadron being sent overseas to Digby. By the
time Walz caught up to the squadron, it was flying
order to improve their skills with the use of the radar. He
identified several weaknesses in the aerial gunnery courses Spitfire 5s under the command of S/L Henry Wallace
which were all taught with Spitfires while most pilots flew "Wally" McLeod, a Reginan who had 11 (some sources
other more heavily armoured aircraft. Hearing his criticism say 13) victories in the air fighting over Malta in the
Wing Commander Archie Winskill of RAF Winfield called on summer of 1942.
Ferguson to set up and develop a twin engine gunnery Walz's introduction to the new CO saw the latter toss
course. He did, and the course was very successful and soon him some pilot's notes, point to an aircraft and say,
pilots brought their own Mosquito or Beaufighter planes "There's your Spit ... now go out and fly."
with them for training from all over the UK. The students
were interviewed continually to refine the course and By late spring 1944, 443 Squadron, by now equipped
with the Spitfire IX, headed to Britain's south coast.
further improve the training before the pilots were posted to
aerial combat. During an escort mission during that time, Don was shot
down over France and escaped back to England with
Bob flew a de Havilland Mosquito fighter/ bomber during
WWll. When the Mosquito entered production in 1941, it help by the French.
was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world and Unfortunately in April 1945 Don was again shot down
entered widespread service in 1942. The Mosquito but this time was captured and became a POW till the
supported RAF strategic night fighter defence forces in the end of the war.
United Kingdom from raids, most notably defeating the With liberation came a flight back to London, the ritual
German aerial offensive Operation Steinbock in 1944. meeting with the Queen and a trip home to Canada.
Offensively, the Mosquito units also conducted night time Don, who was officially credited with four confirmed
fighter sweeps in indirect and direct protection of RAF
victories, stayed active in aviation, operating a crop-
Bomber Command's heavy bombers to help reduce RAF
dusting/charter firm at Moose Jaw.
bomber losses in 1944 and 1945.
Bob Ferguson gave up flying after the war but maintained an Sadly, Don passed away in May 2004.
interest in the 410 Squadron. Bob passed away on
September 19, 2006.