WELSMAN, F/O William Walter (J92181) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.640 Squadron - Award effective 8 September 1945 as per London Gazette dated 25 September 1945 and AFRO 1768/45 dated 23 November 1945. Home in Toronto; enlisted there 22 July 1942. Trained at No.1 ITS (graduated 5 June 1943) and No.1 AOS (graduated 29 October 1943). Award sent by registered mail 28 June 1949. 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." Public Records Office Air 2/8750 has recommendation dated 6 April 1945 when he had flown 37 sorties (194 hours 21 minutes), 18/19 August 1944 to 15/16 March 1945.
18 Aug 44 Sterkrade (4.48) 4 Nov 44 Bochum (4.47)
24 Aug 44 Brest (5.08) 6 Nov 44 Gelsenkirchen (4.49)
25 Aug 44 Watten (3.31) 21 Nov 44 Sterkrade (5.46)
27 Aug 44 Homberg (4.25) 17 Dec 44 Duisburg (6.00)
9 Sept 44 Le Havre (4.08), 22 Dec 44 Bingen (5.43)
abandoned as ordered. 24 Dec 44 Essen/Mulheim (5.14)
10 Sep 44 ALVIS 2 (3.39) 27 Dec 44 Opladen (5.37)
12 Sep 44 Scholven (4.03) 30 Dec 44 Cologne (6.01)
13 Sep 44 Nordstern (4.20) 22 Jan 45 Gelsenkirchen (5.20)
17 Sep 44 Boulogne (3.48) 28 Jan 45 Stuttgart/Kornwestheim
25 Sep 44 Calais (3.47), (7.30)
abandoned as ordered 1 Feb 45 Mainz (6.12)
30 Sep 44 Bottrop (4.37) 4 Feb 45 Gelsenkirchen (5.07)
7 Oct 44 Cleve (4.14) 7 Feb 45 Goch (5.52)
9 Oct 44 Bochum (5.12) 8 Feb 45 Wanne Eickel (5.20)
14 Oct 44 Duisburg (4.43) 13 Feb 45 Bohlen (7.53)
14 Oct 44 Duisburg (5.43) 14 Feb 45 Chemnitz (8.02)
25 Oct 44 Essen (5.15) 12 Mar 45 Dortmund (5.28)
30 Oct 44 Cologne (5.53) 14 Mar 45 Homberg (5.50)
31 Oct 44 Cologne (4.54) 15 Mar 45 Hagen (5.42)
This officer has completed his first tour of operations as navigator in Bomber Command, having attacked such targets as Duisburg, Dortmund, Chemnitz, Essen and many others in the Ruhr area.
During his first operational sortie against Sterkrade on 18th August 1944, this navigator's aircraft had only just set course for the target when the starboard outer engine had to be feathered, causing the loss of important navigational equipment. The captain and crew decided to carry on to the objective in spite of these difficulties.
Pilot Officer Welsman did an excellent job in that he navigated his aircraft accurately to the target and back with the limited navigational aids at his disposal. For his fortitude, skill and devotion to duty I strongly recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
