I hope one day Flying Officer Philip Albert Labelle’s grandson finds this post about his grandfather. Kevin Strauss has shared his grandfather’s photos taken during World War II, and his grandfather’s pilot is seen at least on two of them.
On this one, Flying Officer Philip Labelle is the third airman on the right.
From left to right: Bill Stanley, Andy Steward, Nick Wasnchuck, Bill Rodmal, Phil Labelle, Ed Strauss and Ross Kettle
Flying Officer Philip Albert Labelle might be on more photos… Here with some ground crew?
Here with other airmen in front of a hangar where we can see Halifax OW-?
We know all the names of Edward Strauss’ crew…
From left to right: Bill Stanley, Andy Steward, Nick Wasnchuck, Bill Rodmal, Phil Labelle, Ed Strauss and Ross Kettle.
Maybe more grandsons will find this post. Maybe this information I found on the Internet could have some relatives contacting us.
Source
LABELLE, F/O Philip Albert (J85882)
– Distinguished Flying Cross – No.426 Squadron
– Award effective 6 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 16 January 1945 and AFRO 508/45 dated 23 March 1945.
Born 29 November 1916 in Vancouver; home there (bookkeeper).
Enlisted Vancouver 1 May 1941 and posted to No.2A Manning Depot, that date.
To No.10 Repair Depot, 7 June 1941.
To No.2 ITS, 3 July 1941.
Promoted LAC, 19 August 1941 and posted to No.6 EFTS.
Posted elsewhere, 20 September 1941.
He appears to have left the service for reasons unstated and then recorded as having re-enlisted at No.3 Manning Depot, Vancouver, 23 July 1942 with original rank of AC2.
Posted to No.5 BGS, 11 September 1942;
to No.7 ITS, 24 October 1942; graduated and promoted LAC, 30 December 1942 but not posted to No.19 EFTS until 6 February 1943;
graduated 2 April 1943 when posted to No.17 SFTS;
graduated and promoted Sergeant, 13 1943.
To Y Depot, 6 August 1943;
to RAF overseas, 25 August 1943.
Commissioned 17 April 1944.
Posted from No.61 Base to No.426 Squadron, 25 June 1944;
from No.426 Squadron to R Depot, 27 September 1944.
Repatriated to Canada, 8 December 1944.
To Western Air Command, 20 December 1944.
To No.8 Release Centre, 1 March 1945.
Retired 5 March 1945.
Died in Vancouver, 1 May 1976 as per British Columbia Vital Statistics.
No citation other than “completed…numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.\” DHist file 181.009 D.4431 (RG.24 Vol.20649) has recommendation dated 16 October 1944 when he had flown 32 sorties (154 hours 40 minutes), 27 June to 12 October 1944. This officer has completed 32 sorties over enemy territory, many of them against heavily defended areas such as Metz, Wesselling and Kiel. He has always shown great keenness to press home the attack and through his example has been an inspiration to his crew. His eagerness to go on operations and his disregard for personal danger make him stand out among his fellows. He is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Non-Immediate).
The sortie list was as follows:
19 March 1944 – Air Sea Rescue (5.40)
27 June 1944 – Foret d’Eawy (4.25)
28 June 1944 – Metz (6.50)
5 July 1944 – Biennais (4.05)
6 July 1944 – Conquereaux (4.40)
7 July 1944 – Caen (4.20)
12 July 1944 – Creil (4.25)
15 July 1944 – Nucourt (4.20)
18 July 1944 – Wesseling (5.40)
20 July 1944 – L’Hey (3.20)
30 July 1944 – Amaye Seulles (4.25)
31 July 1944 – Foret de Croc (4.00)
5 August 1944 – St.Leu d’Esserent (5.05)
7 August 1944 – Totalize 5 (5.05)
8 August 1944 – Foret de Chantilly (4.40)
9 August 1944 – Foret de Nieppe (3.25)
12 August 1944 – Montrichard (5.20)
12 August 1944 – Falaise (4.00)
16 August 1944 – Kiel (5.55)
29 August 1944 – Brest (6.05)
31 August 1944 – Cezembre (5.05)
10 September 1944 – Le Havre (4.20)
11 September 1944 – Castrop Rauxel (5.05)
12 September 1944 – Wanne Eickel (5.00)
13 September 1944 – Osnabruck (5.05)
15 September 1944 – Kiel (5.25)
25 September 1944 – Calais (4.30)
26 September 1944 – Calais (4.20)
27 September 1944 – Bottrop (5.05)
30 September 1944 – Sterkrade (4.40)
6 October 1944 – Dortmund (6.10)
12 October 1944 – Wanne Eickel (5.35)
Source
Bomber Group 6 Website (Richard Koval)
July 18/19, 1944
42 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons were joined by 111 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 432, and 433 squadrons on an attack on the oil plant Wesseling. The crews were over the target at between 11,000 and 14,000 feet, releasing 1,286,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the weather was clear and severe damage was done to this facility.
P/O P. Labelle from 426 squadron was attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.
August 25/26, 1944
182 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433 and 434 Squadrons were ordered to attack a number of coastal gun batteries at Brest. The crews were over the aiming points at between 9,000 and 13,000 feet, releasing 1,470,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate.
P/O C. McKinstry, P/O A. Bainard, P/O C. Hamilton, P/O H. Thompson, F/O J. Lowe, F/Lt R. Cowans, P/O W. Webster, F/O H. Hicken, F/O H. Elder, F/O J. Sheridan, W/Cdr C. Burgess, F/O P. Labelle, and F/O R. Stone landed at Wittering on return due to poor weather at base.
September 12, 1944
While some of the group was attacking Dortmund, 122 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, 431, 432, and 434 Squadrons attacked the synthetic oil plant at Wanne Eickel. The attack was carried out from 16,000 to 19,000 feet with the crew releasing 960,000 lbs of ordinance. No observations were made due to a smoke screen over the target. A great number of aircraft were damaged by flak.
P/O W. Taylor, F/O P. Labelle, and F/O J. Lowe of 426 Squadron were hit by flak. there was no serious damage and all returned safely to base.
October 6, 1944
F/O J. Sheridan, P/O C. McKinstry, P/O G. Hamilton, P/O R. Jones, P/O N. Becker, F/O S. Simmons, F/O M. Casselman, and F/O P. Labelle landed at Wratting Common on return due to poor weather at base.
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