Gordon Mitchell EWAN

Name:	EWAN, Gordon Mitchell, DFC
Nationality:	Canadian
Regiment/Service:	Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank:	Squadron Leader
Service No.:	J/17183
Unit Text:	No.405 Squadron
Date of Birth:	21 April 1918 - Blairmore, AB

EWAN, P/O Gordon Mitchell (J17183) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.405 Squadron - Award effective 6 November 1943 as per London Gazette dated 16 November 1943 and AFRO 2610/43 dated 17 December 1943. Born at Blairmore, Alberta, 21 April 1918; home in British Columbia. Enlisted in Vancouver, 12 June 1941 and posted to No.2 Manning Depot, Brandon. To No.7 Equipment Depot, 14 July 1941. To No.2 ITS, Regina, 7 August 1941; promoted LAC, 13 September 1941 and posted that date to No.14 EFTS; ceased pilot training on 14 October 1941. To No.10 AOS, 9 November 1941; to No.6 BGS, 13 February 1942. Promoted Sergeant, 28 March 1942 and posted that day to No.2 ANS. To "Y" Depot, Halifax, 28 April 1942; to No.31 OTU, 20 May 1942. Dates of overseas postings and repatriation uncertain. Commissioned 1 March 1943. Served postwar as a navigator (appointed Squadron Leader on 1 March 1947). No citation in AFRO other than "completed many successful operations against the enemy in which [he] displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty."

Public Record Office Air 50/248 has a Combat Report for action on the night of 6/7 September 1943, Lancaster E/405 (JA976), target Munich. Crew consisted of F/O C.J. South (captain, nil award), P/O G.M. Ewan (RCAF, navigator, awarded DFC, 6 November 1943), Flight Sergeant S.F. Fincham (RAF, bomb aimer, awarded DFM, 11 February 1944), Sergeant W.R. Mill (RAF, Wireless Air Gunner, awarded DFM, 21 April 1944), Sergeant C.I. Douglas (RCAF, mid-upper gunner, awarded DFC, 24 May 1944), Flight Sergeant T.J. Howard (RCAF, rear gunner, awarded DFC, 24 May 1944) and Sergeant G.C. or C.C. Holland (flight engineer, nil award).

On the night of September 6/7 [1943] while over the target area of Munich, heading 280 Magnetic, T.A.S. 210 knots, height 18,100 feet, our aircraft, Lancaster "E" JA976, 405 Squadron, was attacked by one single-engined unidentified enemy aircraft. This attack came from the port bow level at a range of 200 yards passing into the starboard bow. One short burst was fired by the enemy aircraft and our aircraft did not fire from any turret. The enemy aircraft passed into cloud and was not seen again. No damage was sustained by our aircraft. The attack took place in about 6/10 to 7/10 cloud, rather broken; no moon; bright starlight; flak moderate; searchlights ineffective and not working with flak.

Same file has a Combat Report for action on the night of 18/19 October 1943, Lancaster M/405 (JB822), target Hanover; crew as above:

On the night of 18th/19th October 1943, at a position 52.28 North 06.29 East, heading 270 Magnetic, I.A.S. 180 knots, height 20,000 feet, our aircraft Lancaster "M", JB822, 405 (RAF) Squadron was attacked by an unidentified enemy aircraft. The attack came from dead astern below at a range of 600 yards. One short burst was fired by the enemy fighter from 600 yards. Our rear gunner [Howard] opened fire at five hundred yards and fired two short bursts of approximately 200 rounds. The evasive action taken was a corkscrew to starboard and then a complete orbit was done. The enemy aircraft was lost and seen no more. No damage was sustained by our aircraft. The attack took place [on] starlight night, slight haze, no moon; there was no flak or searchlight co-operation. Monica gave first indication of enemy aircraft approaching. There is no damage claimed to enemy fighter.

SOURCE: Air Force Association of Canada website & Hugh Halliday (August 9, 2010).