MORRISON, S/L Howard Allan (J4898) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.405 Squadron - Award effective 1 September 1944 as per London Gazette dated 15 September 1944 and AFRO 2373/44 dated 3 November 1944. Born 10 December 1919 in Winnipeg; educated at Lauder, Brandon and University of Manitoba (pre-medical, two years). Postal clerk between studies. Enlisted in Winnipeg, 25 September 1940. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 12 November 1940), No.10 EFTS (graduated 4 January 1941), and No.5 SFTS (graduated 17 March 1941). Commissioned 1941. Trained as instructor at Trenton, the instructed at No.3 SFTS; went on to OTU at Pennfield Ridge; posted overseas 22 June 1943. Repatriated to Canada, 1945. Posted to Directorate of Operational Training at AFHQ. To RCAF Staff College, 1946 and then back to AFHQ (Directorate of Training). DFC and DSO presented by Governor General, 2 December 1946. Remained in postwar RCAF. Joined No.426 Squadron in 1948. Awarded AFC (5 June 1952) for services on Korean Airlift; awarded Queen's Coronation Medal, 23 October 1953 (Station Rockcliffe). To AFHQ in 1955 (Directorate of Postings and Careers); November 1956 became base commander of RCAF part of UNEF. January 1957 returned to Canada as CSO Air Transport Command where he remained until September 1959; to Uplands as CO, CEPE. July 1961 he became Air Commander of UN Forces in Congo; remained until April 1962 when he was made CO of Uplands. August 1963 he became CSO, ATC, Trenton. In April 1968 he became Vice Commander of Central NORAD Region. Died in Vancouver, 23 October 1983. No citation other than "completed...many successful operations during which [he has] displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty." Public Records Office Air 2//9276 has recommendation dated 22 June 1944 when he had flown 32 sorties (176 hours five minutes), 27 October 1943 to 15 June 1944. // 27 October 1943 - NICKELLING Paris (4.10) // 2 December 1943 - Berlin (6.00) // 3 December 1943 - Leipzig (7.10) // 20 December 1943 - Mannheim (5.45) // 23 December 1943 - Berlin (7.30) // 29 December 1943 - Berlin (6.15) // 1 January 1944 - Berlin (7.05) // 2 January 1944 - Berlin (6.30) // 5 January 1944 - Stettin (8.30) // 21 January 1944 - Magdeburg (6.25) // 27 January 1944 - Berlin (7.15) // 28 January 1944 - Berlin (7.45) // 25 February 1944 - Augsburg (6.55) // 1 March 1944 - Stuttgart (6.55) // 15 March 1944 - Stuttgart (6.40) // 18 March 1944 - Frankfurt (4.35) // 22 March 1944 - Frankfurt (5.20) // 24 March 1944 - Berlin (6.50) // 30 March 1944 - Nuremburg (6.50) // 18 April 1944 - Tergnier (3.00) // 20 April 1944 - Lens (3.00) // 24 April 1944 - Karlsruhe (5.45) // 27 April 1944 - Friedrichshaven (7.00) // 8 May 1944 - Haine St.Pierre (2.35) // 10 May 1944 - Ghent (2.35) // 11 May 1944 - Boulogne (2.15) // 19 May 1944 - Le Mans (4.00) // 22 May 1944 - Le Mans (3.30) // 27 May 1944 - Rennes (3.40) // 28 May 1944 - Mardyck (1.40) // 11 June 1944 - Tours (2.20) // 12 June 1944 - Amiens (4.55) // 14 June 1944 - Cambrai (2.40) // 15 June 1944 - Lens (2.45) // This officer is a very capable Captain and Flight Commander who has completed 32 operational sorties against such heavily defended enemy targets as Berlin, Frankfurt and Stuttgart. Both on operational duty and ground duty, this officer has set a fine example to those serving under his command by his devotion to duty and determination to complete the most difficult tasks allotted to him. Undoubtedly this officer has contributed in no small way to the successes attained by this squadron. Strongly recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross. // MORRISON, W/C Howard Allan, DFC (J4898) - Distinguished Service Order - No.405 Squadron - Award effective 27 October 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2637/44 dated 8 December 1944. // In September 1944, Wing Commander Morrison captained an aircraft detailed to attack Le Havre. Whilst over the target, heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Undeterred, this captain endeavoured to press home his attack. His aircraft was hit and sustained serious damage. The aircraft became almost uncontrollable. A fire started and the fuselage became filled with smoke. The flames spread quickly and it was evident that the aircraft could not be saved. Displaying great coolness, Wing Commander Morrison ordered his crew to leave by parachute. He himself would not leave until he was satisfied that all his comrades were clear. When he finally jumped the aircraft was down to a low altitude. This officer has invariable displayed the highest standard of courage and devotion to duty. He has completed very many sorties and, in his determination to complete his missions successfully, has often remained over the target for long periods. // NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9160 has recommendation drafted 18 September 1944 by W/C C.W. Palmer. He had flown 49 sorties (247 hours 34 minutes) of which 17 sorties (71 hours 29 minutes) had been since his previous award. // On the morning of the 8th September 1944, Wing Commander Morrison was captain of an aircraft detailed as Master Bomber for an attack on the strongly defended enemy port of Le Havre. On arriving in the target area, weather conditions were found to be extremely poor, and in endeavouring to complete his task satisfactorily, the captain went down to a very low level. The aircraft, engaged by accurate anti-aircraft fire was hit and set on fire. The flying controls were severely damaged and it became very hard to control the aircraft. The fuselage soon filled with fire and blinding smoke, and the captain ordered the crew to bale out. He remained in the aircraft, ensuring that the rest of the crew had all baled out successfully, even though there was an imminent danger of the aircraft blowing up. The captain finally baled out at an extremely low altitude. The skilful airmanship, utter disregard for personal safety, and, above all, the concern evinced by this officer for the well-being of his crew, is most commendable and in keeping with the highest traditions of the Service. // Wing Commander Morrison has, on many occasions, remained over the target area for a considerable period in the course of his duties, and has always shown a disregard for personal safety that is most commendable. // In his capacity as Flight Commander, he has contributed a great deal towards the high standard of training in the squadron, and the fine example he has set has done much to keep the morale of the squadron at a high level. // This officer has now completed a second tour of operations, many sorties having been directed against heavily defended German targets. He has, at all times, shown exceptional keenness and devotion to duty. Strongly recommended for the immediate award of the Distinguished Service Order. // On 19 September 1944, G/C G.P. Dunlop, Officer Commanding, Station Gransden Lodge, wrote: // Wing Commander Morrison’s double tour of operations has been marked by outstanding service both in his capacity as a Flight Commander and as a captain. He has constantly shown keenness and devotion to duty of the highest order. Strongly recommended. // This was endorsed on 20 September 1944 by the Air Officer Commanding, No.8 Group, who merely noted, “Strongly recommended”. // The website “Lost Bombers” provides the following information respecting his career. Lancaster PA970 (LQ-Y), had previously been involved in the following sorties: Caen, 7 July 1944; Courtrain, 20/21 July 1944; Kiel, 23/24 July 1944; Stuttgart, 24/25 July 1944; Stuttgart, 28/29 July 1944; Normandy Battle Area (Tactical), 7/8 August 1944; Kiel, 26/27 August 1944. On 8 September 1944 the target was Le Havre. It was airborne at 0657 hours from Gransden Lodge to bomb strong-points near the beleaguered garrison. W/C H.A. Morrison was to be Master Bomber. Aircraft crashed just inside the enemy perimeter. The crew consisted of W/C H.A.Morrison, (RCAF, evaded, awarded Bar to DFC), Flight Sergeant R.A.W.Matsham (evaded), F/L L.W.Queale, (RCAF, evaded), F/L R.A.Swartz, (RCAF, evaded, awarded Bar to DFC), F/L R.B.Baroni, (RCAF, evaded, awarded Bar to DFC), WO2 G.J.Darcy, (RCAF, evaded), Flight Sergeant R.Benabo, (RCAF, evaded), WO2 W.Kubiak, (RCAF, evaded, awarded DFC). The association of this eight-man crew and the position as Master Bomber probably indicates an extra H2S Operator. // A “Questionnaire for Returned Aircrew: Loss of Bomber Aircraft” apparently filed by both Morrison and Kubiak notes that crew composition was as follows: W/C H.A.Morrison, (pilot, 52 sorties), Flight Sergeant R.A.W.Matsham (Flight engineer, 49 sorties), F/L L.W.Queale, (navigator I, 51 sorties), F/L R.A.Swartz, (navigator II, 52 sorties), F/L R.B.Baroni, (air bomber, 53 sorties), WO2 G.J.Darcy, (WOP, 51 sorties), Flight Sergeant R.Benable, (mid-upper gunner, 38 sorties), WO2 W.Kubiak, (rear gunner, 50 sorties). The statement of events was as follows: // The aircraft reached the target without incident. After visual identifying the aiming point from 6,000 feet cloud came over and obscured it. There was no improvement in visibility after two orbits had been made so height was reduced to 3,500 feet where broken cloud was encountered. The first report that the aircraft had been hit by flak came from the WOP who said “Skipper, the kite is on fire.” When asked where he said, “In the rear.” The aircraft began to roll from side to side and the pilot gave the order to bale out. The rear gunner waited a few seconds until the order was repeated, disconnected his heating equipment and intercom, rotated his turret to the beam and baled out. He was wearing a seat chute. On landing he found he had bruised his shoulder and knee on leaving the turret and was unable to walk. He lay in a field for two hours before being captured by two Germans who were burying mines about 300 yards away. // Note: For a Combat Report from his career (3/4 December 1943) see entry for G.D. Hirschfield.