R108316 Sgt Joseph John PINARD

[78SqnHistory]

Does anyone have any information on R/108316 Sgt Joseph John PINARD RCAF, I think he may have been an air gunner and served with No. 78 Squadron in 1942. Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks Daz

[Temujin]

Daz, I didn’t find much, but spotted these two articles which ‘may’ be him or ‘may not’

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[78SqnHistory]

Many thanks, it all adds to the story. I find it odd though if that is the right chap that he was still a Sergeant and had not been promoted, given that he was operating with 78 Squadron in 1942. More digging to be carried out I think, but once agin thanks for the articles.

Daz

[Temujin]

Many thanks, it all adds to the story. I find it odd though if that is the right chap that he was still a Sergeant and had not been promoted, given that he was operating with 78 Squadron in 1942. More digging to be carried out I think, but once agin thanks for the articles.

Daz

I agree Daz, one of the reasons I’m not positive this is the right man.

Cheers

[Temujin]

Daz, some articles I found on other Canadian’s who served in 78 Squadron.

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[78SqnHistory]

Thanks for posting these. There are some major errors in the report on Grimble. He had not been with 78 Squadron for a year, although it is totally possible and more than likely that he had been in the U.K. for around that amount of time, when he was wounded. He joined 78 Squadron at RAF Breighton on the 26th April 1944; having been posted from No. 61 Base at RAF Topcliffe, as part of Bill Rodney's crew.

The crew began operations on the night of the 8th May 1944 with a raid on BERNEVAL. By the time of his wounding (night of 7/8th June) the crew were on their 8th operation. The target was JUVISY and they were on the bombing run when attacked. The crew believed that they had been attacked by an enemy night fighter and then hit by flak. The Navigator, Warrant Officer Graham RCAF was killed and Grimble was badly wounded. Evasive action was carried out, during which Grimble jettisoned the bombs and the crew lost contact with the fighter and returned to the UK. Despite wounds to both legs Grimble insisted on helping his skipper to navigate back to the UK. They made an emergency landing at RAF West Malling and Grimble was taken Preston Hall Hospital in Kent. He had gunshot wounds to his legs including wounds to his left knee and leg and amputation was considered but in the end not carried out and the leg was saved. He was posted to No. 44 Base, RAF Holme on Spalding Moor on 8th June as Non-Effective due to his wounds. In January 1945 he was repatriated via R Depot as being no longer physically fit for flying.

His DFC was an immediate award for his bravery on the night of his wounding. Interestingly the investigation into the incident, found that the aircraft had been engaged by British .303 ammunition to the front of the aircraft. A claim for the destruction of the Halifax was made by Oblt. Jalob Schauss of 4/NJG4.

Thanks again for posting
Daz