Joseph Charles DEUTSCHER (1922-2000)

Name:	*DEUTSCHER, Joseph Charles "Joe", DFC*
Nationality:	Canadian
Regiment/Service:	Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank:	Flight Lieutenant
Service No.:	J/22538
Unit Text:	431 Squadron
Date of Birth:	November 1922 - Odessa, SK
Date of Death:	24 March 2000 - Regina, SK

DEUTSCHER, F/L Joseph Charles (J22538) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.431 Squadron - Award effective 30 October 1945 as per London Gazette dated 06 November 1945 and AFRO 155/46 dated 15 February 1946. Born November 1922 in Odessa, Saskatchewan; home there; enlisted Regina 2 May 1941 and posted to No.2A Manning Depot. To No.10 Repair Depot (guard), 7 June 1941. To No.2 ITS, 03 July 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 20 August 1941 when posted to No.15 EFTS; ceased training, 29 September 1941 and posted to Trenton; to No.8 AOS, 04 November 1941; graduated 14 February 1942 when posted to No.4 BGS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 28 March 1942; posted to No.2 ANS; graduated and commissioned, 03 July 1942). To “Y” Depot, date uncertain; to RAF overseas, 06 August 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 03 January 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 03 July 1944. Repatriated with No.431 Squadron, 06 June 1945. Retired 02 October 1945. Became a priest after the war; died in Regina, 24 March 2000. No citation other than "completed... numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty." DHist file 181.009 D.1941 (RG.24 Vol.20612) has recommendation by W/C W.F. McKinnon dated 23 May 1945 when he had flown 45 sorties (270 hours eight minutes). First tour was 27 sorties (139 hours 55 minutes), 04 April 1943 to 01 October 1943. Second tour was 18 sorties (130 hours 13 minutes), 04 February to 10 May 1945 including one "Exodus"trip.

This officer as air bomber has completed two tours of operations. Throughout his 44 sorties F/Lt. Deutscher has displayed an uncanny accuracy in his bombing despite fierce enemy opposition. Calm at all times this officer has shown unquestioned courage and outstanding zeal and energy in the performance of his duties. As Squadron Bombing Leader, F/Lt. Deutscher has displayed qualities of leadership, sound judgment and initiative. In recognition of this officer's complete devotion to duty I recommend that he be awarded a non-immediate Distinguished Flying Cross.

04 April 1943	Kiel (6.50)	25 June 1943	Gelsenkirchen (4.05)
20 April 1943	Rostock (8.10)	28 June 1943/font>	Cologne (4.00)
27 April 1943	Duisburg (4.00)	03 July 1943	Cologne (5.40)
28 April 1943	Gardening (5.10)	25 July 1943	Hamburg (1.30)
04 May 1943	Dortmund (5.40)	25 July 1943	Essen (4.40)
09 May 1943	Gardening, Deodars (8.00)	27 July 1943	Hamburg (5.25)
13 May 1943	Duisburg (4.00)	29 July 1943	Hamburg (5.20)
14 May 1943	Bochum (2.50)	30 July 1943	Remscheid (4.25)
23 May 1943	Dortmund (4.30)	02 August 1943	Hamburg (5.00)
25 May 1943	25 May 1943 - Dusseldorf (4.15)	10 August 1943	Nuremberg (7.40)
11 June 1943	Dusseldorf (1.30)	12 August 1943	Turin (8.00)
21 June 1943	Le Creusot (6.45)	16 August 1943	Turin (8.35)
21 June 1943	Krefeld (3.40)	01 October 1943	Air-Sea Rescue (6.00)
24 June 1943	Wuppertal (4.15)

04 February 1945	Bonn (7.12)	15 March 1945	Hagen (7.29)
07 February 1945	Goch (6.37)	25 March 1945	Hanover (6.36)
13 February 1945	Dresden (10.32)	31 March 1945	Hamburg (6.13)
14 February 1945	Chemnitz (8.58)	04 April 1945	Murseberg (9.31)
20 February 1945	Dortmund (7.45)	08 April 1945	Hamburg (6.35)
21 February 1945	Duisburg (6.59)	10 April 1945	Leipzig (8.08)
27 February 1945	Mainz (6.55)	13 April 1945	Kiel (5.59)
02 March 1945	Cologne (6.06)	25 April 1945	Wangerooge (4.27)
14 March 1945	Zweibrucken (7.38)	10 May 1945	Exodus POW evacuation (6.33)