The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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248984 F/Lt. John Herbert "Coops" Cooper DFC/ Royal Canadian Air Force 432 (Leaside) Squadron from:Saskatchewan John Cooper was born in Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan on 29th of November 1918. He enlisted in the RCAF in 1940. After completing his extensive training, he finally completed his first sortie with 432 Squadron in January 1944. In total, Coops is credited with 26 sorties and over 138 hours in the air. He and his crew flew over some of the most heavily defended territory in Europe, with successful missions over Berlin (3), Nuremberg, Frankfurt and Paris among his accomplishments. On 18th of July 1944, the Halifax Bomber that he and his mates were in came under heavy flak after dropping their payload near Caen, in support of the Normandy campaign. Cooper tells of the plane's central area being engulfed in flames and, out of fear of the gas tanks exploding, he ordered the crew to jump at 9,000 feet. He accompanied the crew (all but one made it out - Sgt. R.E. Burton), and fell to the ground as the sun rose across the French countryside. He was promptly captured and sent to the now famous Stalag Luft 3 (site of the Great Escape in March 1944). He was transferred to two other POW camps before being liberated in May, 1945 by the British Second Army. Cooper was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his (and his crew's) heroic efforts during the first seven months of 1944. His recommendation for the award reads, in part, "Under a calm and quiet manner Cooper has always maintained a fine offensive spirit in action which inspired confidence in his crew and other crews in his flight." Cooper remained with the RCAF until 1968, occupying roles with NATO, AIRCENT and also working very closely with the USAF. He passed away in 2010 in Oakville, Ontario. Allan Singh Add to this record.  Related Content: No. 432 (Leaside) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force Stalag Luft 3 Prisoner of War Camp Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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