Picked up by the Vet in Dunkirk on May 10 1945 following the German surrender.
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75 years ago tomorrow the vet picked up this Luger rig.
More of the story.
These are comments from the author that wrote the book shown above.
"There was an article that came out in the Ottawa Citizen some years ago, about Ray Irwin having fired the last Canadian shot of the war in Europe. Technically this was incorrect, and I sought to correct the error in the book. The B Flight clerks logged the departure and return of each sortie flown (15 operational flights from ALG Wormhout to action-stations over Dunkirk on Monday, May 7, 1945...two days after all fighting had ended in Holland and Germany).
In fact, Bev was the last combatant in the air over Dunkirk, when the cease-fire was called (there had also been a British Flight of Auster Vs in the air). I gave the accolade to the whole Flight (and a mention to the British Flight) but in the order they had participated, however, as it was a day-long action involving the Flight's five pilots and six of the observers, including my Dad, #K8712 Gunner Ray Knight."
The vet had a pretty interesting life after the War as may be seen in his obituary.
I knew him well---he was a family friend and my first boss.
More of the story.
These are comments from the author that wrote the book shown above.
"There was an article that came out in the Ottawa Citizen some years ago, about Ray Irwin having fired the last Canadian shot of the war in Europe. Technically this was incorrect, and I sought to correct the error in the book. The B Flight clerks logged the departure and return of each sortie flown (15 operational flights from ALG Wormhout to action-stations over Dunkirk on Monday, May 7, 1945...two days after all fighting had ended in Holland and Germany).
In fact, Bev was the last combatant in the air over Dunkirk, when the cease-fire was called (there had also been a British Flight of Auster Vs in the air). I gave the accolade to the whole Flight (and a mention to the British Flight) but in the order they had participated, however, as it was a day-long action involving the Flight's five pilots and six of the observers, including my Dad, #K8712 Gunner Ray Knight."
The vet had a pretty interesting life after the War as may be seen in his obituary.
I knew him well---he was a family friend and my first boss.
There were isolated German pockets in various spots including Dunkirk when the war ended, and a surrender had to be secured from each.
The Auster observation squadrons were an interesting bunch. Captain James Doohan (later of Star Trek fame) served in 666 Squadron.
The Auster observation squadrons were an interesting bunch. Captain James Doohan (later of Star Trek fame) served in 666 Squadron.
Wouldn't necessarily have to be Dunkirk. My dad, in Holland, just down the road, talked about having to throw his stuff into a pile on surrendering, and it was big.
Grizz
These were comments from the vet's diary that were provided by the vet's daughter.
THE BATTLE OF DUNKIRK 1945
May 7—"What a day, what a day! Starting at 0700 hrs. We were shooting all day and really giving Dunkirk a going over. However, I was up doing a shoot at about 1630 when it was suddenly cancelled."
(This was the day that Ray Irwin and Dad were both in the air when they were called back. Although someone—Ray Irwin or Ray Knight—have put it about that the "fired" the last shot, Dad says that it is not clear who did, and that he might just as easily have been the one who ordered the last shot.)
May 10—"Ray and I flew all over Dunkirk looking at the targets we had taken on.… When we came down we hopped in his jeep and dashed off to one of the places where they were disarming the Gerries and I managed to pick up two first-class Lugers and one old P38."
June 20—Dad crossed the Channel by ship from France to England.
THE BATTLE OF DUNKIRK 1945
May 7—"What a day, what a day! Starting at 0700 hrs. We were shooting all day and really giving Dunkirk a going over. However, I was up doing a shoot at about 1630 when it was suddenly cancelled."
(This was the day that Ray Irwin and Dad were both in the air when they were called back. Although someone—Ray Irwin or Ray Knight—have put it about that the "fired" the last shot, Dad says that it is not clear who did, and that he might just as easily have been the one who ordered the last shot.)
May 10—"Ray and I flew all over Dunkirk looking at the targets we had taken on.… When we came down we hopped in his jeep and dashed off to one of the places where they were disarming the Gerries and I managed to pick up two first-class Lugers and one old P38."
June 20—Dad crossed the Channel by ship from France to England.
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The fortress at Dunkirk didn’t surrender until the last day of the war. It was heavily fortified and well stocked with water, food, ammo and troops. The commander was obeying the fight until the last man and was manned with troops who’s moral was high, hence the surrender on the last day. If I remember correctly they had enough supplies to fight on for a few more months.
