HAY, F/O Colin Maxwell (J39394) - Distinguished Service Order - No.432 Squadron - Award effective 5 December 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 293/45 dated 16 February 1945. Born in Winnipeg, 2 January 1914; home there. He had been a temporary clerk for Hudson Bay Company (1934-1937) and T. Eaton Company (1938-1940) before becoming a salesman. Enlisted Winnipeg, 29 July 1941 and granted Leave Without Pay. To No.2 Manning Depot, 19 September 1941. To No.3 BGS, 20 December 1941 (non-flying duties). To No.4 ITS, 14 February 1942. Promoted LAC, 10 April 1942. To No.5 AOS, 11 April 1942. While there he was assessed as having shown steady improvement after a slow start; air work was \"spotty at times\" and overall he was described as \"A slow thinker but one who retains well. Inclined to be obstinate. Not neat of dress\". They may be why he was not immediately commissioned. Graduated 14 August 1942 and promoted Sergeant. To “Y” Depot, 15 August 1942. To No.119 Squadron, Eastern Air Command, 4 September 1942. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 14 February 1943. Promoted WO2, 14 November 1943. Commissioned 8 December 1943. To “Y” Depot again, 28 December 1943. Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 20 January 1944 (date he embarked from Halifax); disembarked in Britain 31 January 1944. Detached to No.1 (O) AFU, 28 March to 25 April 1944. To No.82 OTU, 26 April 1944. Promoted Flying Officer, 8 July 1944. To No.61 Base, 16 July 1944. Attached to No.1659 Conversion Unit, 16 July to 28 August 1944. To No.432 Squadron, 28 August 1944. Killed in action, 6 March 1945 (Halifax RG475). He had two brothers in the Canadian Army. Photo PL-40858 shows him. PL-40859 has him with FS Gerry Duffy. One night in September 1944, Flying Officer Hay was the navigator of an aircraft detailed to attack Bottrop. It was his third operational mission. Whilst over the target the pilot was severely wounded and lost control of the aircraft which went into a dive. Displaying great promptitude, Flying Officer Hay took over the controls and succeeded in levelling out. Although inexperienced as a pilot and despite the fact that some of the instruments were unserviceable, he flew the aircraft back to an airfield and landed it. On touching down the under-carriage collapsed and the aircraft caught fire but the crew got clear uninjured. This officer displayed great coolness and resource and was undoubtedly responsible for the ultimate safety of his comrades. DHH file 181.009 D.5557 (RG.24 Volume 20668) has original recommendation drafted 5 October 1944 when he had flown three sorties (12 hours 40 minutes) as follows: On the 24th September 1944, this officer Hay was the navigator of an aircraft detailed to attack Bottrop. Over the target the pilot was wounded by enemy fire to such extent that he could not control the aircraft and ordered the crew to bale out. The ship went into a dive and it was with difficulty Flying Officer Hay brought it under control while the pilot was removed from his position. Flying Officer Hay then undertook to fly the aircraft on its return journey without experience and with some instruments unserviceable. This was a courageous decision; however in some way he managed. On arrival over the country he was faced with another decision. The pilot was unable to bale out and two of the crew had damaged parachutes. It was necessary to make a landing if their lives were to be saved. The subsequent landing was smooth but the undercarriage gave way and the machine caught fire. The crew were uninjured and Flying Officer Hay?s devotion to duty was responsible for their survival. For his courageous action in face of enemy fire, his dogged determination to save the lives of his comrades and his exceptional skill and resource against overwhelming odds, he is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Service Order (Immediate). The pilot on this occasion was J9135 Flight Lieutenant John Adair Woodward, who had completed five sorties (20 hours 15 minutes) and died of his wounds. On 7 October 1944 he was recommended for a Distinguished Flying Cross, but this could not be awarded as he had died of his wounds on the day of the action. No consideration appears to have been given to according him a posthumous Mention in Despatches. The sortie list and recommendation are transcribed here for the sake of a complete story. 3 September 1944 - Volkel (3.45, day) 6 September 1944 - Emden (3.50, day) 25 September 1944 - Calais (4.35, day) 26 September 1944 - Calais (3.35, day) 27 September 1944 - Bottrop (4.30, day) On the 27th September 1944, this officer [Woodward] was pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack Bottrop. Over the target he was severely wounded by enemy fire. Although covered in blood and in extreme pain he held control until the bombs were dropped and the crew ordered to bale out. He then collapsed and the navigator took control of the aircraft. On the return journey Flight Lieutenant Woodward revived and attempted to carry on but the great loss of blood had dangerously weakened him. From his position in the rest compartment he directed, guided and encouraged his crew in their duties, setting an exemplary example by his coolness and courage. Upon arrival over this country Flight Lieutenant Woodward again attempted to take over. The crew had to exercise force to hold him and to stem the bleeding that had started up again; the worst wound was so located that a tourniquet was impossible. For his devotion to duty and to his comrades, for his example and fortitude under impossible odds he is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Immediate). The aircraft in the Bottrop action was Halifax NP692 (QO-D), known as \"The Devastating Dog\". Airborne at 0737 hours from East Moor. Bombed from 19,000 feet at 0932 and almost immediately was hit by flak and bombs from another aircraft. F/L Woodward was critically injures and had to be helped from his seat by F/O D. McLennan. F/O Hay then took over the controls, course being set for RAF Woodbridge, Suffolk. This airfield was duly reached, at which point Woodward indicated he wished to assist with the landing. However, by this time he was too weak, but a crash-landing was accomplished at 1210 hours and without further injury. Sadly, the skipper died soon afterwards. F/O Hay received the DSO. The rest of the crew were Sergeant W.Bentley (RAF, Flight Engineer, Mentioned in Despatches), F/O G.Fox (RCAF, bomb aimer, Mentioned in Despatches), F/O D.B. McLennan (RCAF, WAG, Mentioned in Despatches), Sergeant P.E.Palmer (RCAF, air gunner, Mentioned in Despatches) and Sergeant C.Duffy (RCAF, no award). Circumstances of Hay\'s Death: Halifax RG475 \"L\" took off at 1630 hours, 5 March 1945 to bomb Chemnitz. The crew completed their mission but crashed north of Walton-on-Maze on the return flight; there were no survivors. The crew were as follows: S/L E.A. Hayes (pilot, 16 trips, 105 hours five minutes flown) F/L J.G. Clouthier (second pilot, one trip, six hours 55 minutes flown) F/O C.M. Hay, DSO (navigator, 19 trips, 119 hours 25 minutes flown) P/O J.D. Ringrose (air bomber, 14 trips, 93 hours 15 minutes) F/L G.R. Harris (WOP/AG, eight trips, 53 hours 45 minutes) FS M.B. Nielson (air gunner, 14 trips, 89 hours 55 minutes) FS G.M. Ordser (air gunner, eleven trips, 73 hours 30 minutes) Sergeant D.M. Cooke (RAF, flight engineer, 14 trips, 93 hours 15 minutes). The website \"Lost Bombers\" states that the aircraft was shot down by coastal flak. It also says that Clouthier was starting his third tour, having remustered from air gunner to pilot.