Introducing Squadron Leader Thomas DeCourcy, DFC

by Al Mickeloff

Growing up, Thomas DeCourcy, or Tommy as he was known, had a reputation as being an honest and courteous young man. Born in Mitchell, Ontario, on August 2, 1921, his family would move to 535 Rankin Avenue in Windsor, Ontario. His father, Thomas Leo, worked as a general contractor while his mother, Beatrice, stayed at home to look after the family, including Tommy’s two younger sisters, Mary and Colleen.

After graduating from Assumption High School, Tommy studied for two years at Assumption College where he maintained a B average in both General Arts and Mathematics. He had ambitions of becoming a mining engineer one day. By all accounts, Tommy was well liked and had a cheerful disposition.

Training

During the summer of 1940, having just turned the age of 19, Tommy decided that he would forgo his education so that he could enlist to serve his country during World War II. Although he had no flying experience, he decided to join the Royal Canadian Air Force, applying for ground duties as a Wireless Operator.

Tommy was one of the early entrants into the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Probably Canada’s greatest contribution to the Allied victory in World War II, this Canada-wide program was created to educate and train 130,000 aircrewmen and women from across the Commonwealth. DeCourcy was initially posted to No. 2 Manning Depot in Brandon, Manitoba, where his training included basics such as personal hygiene, uniform maintenance, and protocols. In October 1940, he was posted to No. 32 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, for general duties. While there, Tommy’s dedication and devotion to duties were recognized, earning him a recommendation to be trained as a pilot. By May 1941, he was posted to No. 2 Initial Training School in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Following initial flight ground school, Tommy began his flight training on the Tiger Moth on June 9, 1941, at No. 16 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) near Edmonton, Alberta. On July 4, after 13:25 hours of flying with an instructor, Tommy celebrated his first solo flight in Tiger Moth #4202.

Tommy DeCourcy began his advanced flight training at No. 10 SFTS in Dauphin, Manitoba, on August 14, 1941, training on the Harvard Mk. II. He soloed Harvard #3779 only five days later.

Tommy graduated from his flight training program and was promoted to Sergeant (Sgt) on October 24, 1941, with 77:10 dual hours (with an instructor) and 75:20 solo hours of flying. He was assessed by his instructor as just an average student pilot, “Rough on aerobatics. No outstanding faults in flying but lacks considerable knowledge of engine controls.”

Overseas

Sergeant Tommy DeCourcy arrived overseas in November 1941 and was stationed at Crosby-on-Eden, England, home of No. 59 Operational Training Unit (OTU) RAF, where he trained to be a fighter pilot on the Hawker Hurricane. Like most RAF fighter pilotsin-training, he was exposed to fighter tactics training in a twoseat Miles Master before transitioning to the single-seat Hawker Hurricane. He began his Master training on Christmas Day 1941. Three days later, Tommy soloed Hurricane Mk. I P3775.

Nearing the completion of his training in February 1942, Sgt DeCourcy was a passenger in a serious vehicle accident involving a service transport during a blackout. He suffered a fractured skull and leg injuries. Tommy returned to his duties after six weeks of recovering in the hospital and spent most of April completing a refresher course. He successfully completed his training, accumulating an additional 61 soloing hours, mostly on the Hurricane. Although still rated average in his flying abilities, he was ranked as above average in persistence, initiative, and self control. Sgt DeCourcy was considered a good steady pilot but required improvement in his formation flying.

Combat

Promoted to Flight Sergeant (F/Sgt), DeCourcy was transferred to 118 Squadron RAF, based in Ibsley, England, in April 1942. It was not uncommon for Canadians to be posted to RAF squadrons at this time, and it is estimated that 60% of all RCAF personnel served with the Royal Air Force at some point in their service. This RAF squadron typically flew escort for anti-shipping strikes over the English Channel and some bombing raids. For almost all of May 1942, DeCourcy flew multiple times almost daily learning and perfecting his flying of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb. Night flying, dusk landings, practice formation, cannon testing, low flying, scramble, and aerobatics were all noted drills recorded in his logbook. On May 24, 1942, F/Sgt DeCourcy flew his first combat mission. The patrol convoy, in which he flew Spitfire Mk. Vb AB967, was uneventful.

Fighter sweeps were a large part of the RAF’s offensive to engage with the Luftwaffe. On a sweep to St. Omer, France, on June 20, 1942, F/Sgt DeCourcy fired the guns in his Spitfire Mk. Vb EN964 in combat for the first time. His squadron was engaged with multiple Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Focke Wulf Fw 190s. He damaged one Fw 190 that day.

According to letters received by Tommy’s parents, he liked the excitement of air war and frequently mentioned that he liked the British people very much, having treated him well. He wrote home frequently and in one letter, he related to his parents that he had received 33 letters and four parcels in one mail delivery, thanks to the inconsistencies of mail during the war.

On August 16, 1942, 118 Squadron RAF moved to RAF Tangmere to support the upcoming Dieppe Raid. The squadron flew four missions during the Raid on August 19. On its last mission of the day, the squadron was tasked with protecting homeward bound hips carrying troops from attack by the Luftwaffe. Wing Commander Gibbs attacked a Dornier Do 217 damaging one of the engines and F/Sgt DeCourcy (in Spitfire Mk. Vb EP130) finished off the crippled bomber.

DeCourcy continued to fly sorties almost daily, sometimes several in one day for months on end - dogfights, patrols, night flying, sweeps, escorting B-17 Flying Fortresses, Douglas Bostons, and Westland Whirlwinds. The rigours of the war must have taken its toll on him as he was given a 23 day “vacation” to nearby Brighton after an altercation in the Sergeant’s mess with Sgt. Bromhead. While DeCourcy started the fight, according to his logbook, he did not finish it - “Cat E. Shot down. Never saw it coming.”

While flying Spitfire Mk. Vb EN953 on November 29, 1942, now Warrant Officer DeCourcy (as he had been promoted in October) experienced an engine failure and performed a forced landing in a field near Warmwell. As he reported, “the engine was running normally for about half an hour, and I had just finished a practice attack and pulled away to one side when the engine cut. There was no warning and RPM gauge registered nil. The engine temperature and pressure remained normal; fuel pressure light remained off. I knew my position and decided to try and make Warmwell. I was at 6,000 feet but soon realized that I wasn't going to make it. I tried switching on and off, closed throttle and pitch levers, rocked aircraft violently, fore and aft. I landed with wheels up in a meadow. I did not jettison the range tank and used flaps. I put a guard on the plane. Telephoned Warmwell and went back to the plane. No fire resulted.” The next day, F/O Ireland arrived in a Tiger Moth and flew them back to base.

W/O DeCourcy met King George and Queen Elizabeth on January 28, 1943. They took a real interest in the work that people were doing to support the war effort. Tommy would suffer serious injuries just one day later. While he attempted a take off in Miles Martinet HP138 towing a target for gunnery practice, the aircraft failed to get airborne as the propeller was set in coarse pitch. The aircraft hit a tree and burned. While he received a concussion, cuts, and burns, his passenger was killed. Tommy spent the next six weeks recovering in the hospital.

Before returning to his Spitfire duties in March with 118 Squadron, DeCourcy ended up on a four-engine Short Stirling bomber as a passenger for two trips. Both were harrowing – on the first trip, an engine caught fire and, while on the second, two engines were damaged by enemy fire setting them both ablaze! These trips were used to give fighter pilots a better understanding of the issues faced by bomber aircraft.

By the beginning of June 1943, W/O DeCourcy, had accumulated 320 flight hours in the Spitfire. His Flight Commander, F/L J.B. Shepherd, assessed him as an “exceptionally keen type and a very good fighter pilot. One of the mainstays of my flight, and on occasions led same. Before his posting from this unit, he had been recommended for a commission."

421 "Red Indian" Squadron

W/O DeCourcy arrived at 421 “Red Indian” Squadron RCAF, based at RAF Kenley, one of London’s fighter sector stations, on June 5, 1943. The base was close enough to London that it allowed aircrew the chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.

Two days later, he flew a familiarization flight in what is considered by many pilots to be the ultimate Spitfire – the Mk. IX version. Two days later, Tommy was the best man at his friend, P/O Eric “Bugs” Buglass’ wedding. While the reception started out calm, Tommy smuggled in some alcohol and the “atmosphere became very lively!” Sadly, “Bugs” was killed July 29, 1943, in a mid-air collision.

On June 19, 1943, Flying Officer DeCourcy received notice of his commission and was moved into the Officer’s Mess. F/O DeCourcy’s first month at 421 Squadron was certainly eventful. He flew multiple sorties almost daily. Many of the operational sorties were led by Wing Commander J.E. Johnson who oversaw sweeps with multiple squadrons. On a June 17 sweep, the whole wing put up a grand fight but still lost their new Commanding Officer, S/L Archer. For the month of June 1943, 421 Squadron had 16 Spitfire Mk. IXs and 6 Spitfire Mk. Vbs on strength and completed 250 operational sorties for a total of 325:45 flying hours.

There was significant action on December 20, 1943, as the US Eighth Air Force bombers raided Bremen with substantial fighter escort and diversions including 211 B-26s, 60 B-25s, 37 Bostons, 415 Spitfires, 155 Typhoons, and 20 Hurricanes. As 421 Squadron flew at 14,000 feet between Merville and Lille, with 403 Squadron flying cover, 18 Me 109s and 20 Fw 190s were sighted below. A general melee ensued resulting in 421 Squadron RCAF pilots claiming four Fw 190s and three Me 109s destroyed, including one by F/O DeCourcy in Spitfire Mk. IX MH939.

F/O DeCourcy reported, “I attacked about ten Fw 190s between cloud. I fired about a 3 second burst line astern with 5° deflection from 250 yards. And saw many strikes on the engine and cockpit. The enemy aircraft flicked into a spin, a large object tumbled out and a parachute streamed. I claim this Fw 190 as destroyed. I was escorted to the coast by two Fw 190s.”

F/O DeCourcy finished his first tour at the end of February 1944. F/L Gimbel from 421 Squadron wrote, "An experienced operational pilot just completed a long tour with this and other squadrons. Done an excellent job but I don't think he has had enough chance to prove his real worth. He was well liked by this unit and should go far."

With the knowledge and expertise Tommy DeCourcy had gained, he was now to be an instructor. He was posted to No. 2 Tactical Exercise Unit in Grangemouth, Scotland, on March 8, 1944, where he would instruct fighter pilot training in Spitfires and Masters.

F/O DeCourcy experienced his third aircraft crash on May 5, 1944. As the pilot of Miles Master Mk. II EM355, DeCourcy, with F/O R.A. Miller (RAF) in the back seat, was making practice landings at Grangemouth. The first four landings were made by DeCourcy and then Miller took over the controls. Unfortunately, the engine quit on take off at only 300 feet. As there was no open field to put down, the aircraft had one wing sheared off by a tree as it hit the ground. Fortunately, there were no fatalities – Miller sustained a head injury and a broken arm whereas Tommy claimed to only have suffered a scar. Nevertheless, DeCourcy spent ten days in the hospital recovering.

After several more months of instructing, F/O DeCourcy began his second tour on September 23, 1944, back with 421 Squadron again. By this time, the squadron was now based at Le Culat, Belgium, a former Luftwaffe-occupied airport. Everyone at the squadron was glad to have him back. On his first sortie three days later, DeCourcy recorded in his logbook, “Fairly exciting for [a] first go!”

On September 27, 1944, both 412 and 421 Squadron aircraft encountered Me 109s over Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Several were shot down while 412 were undertaking the low patrol. Simultaneously, 421’s high patrol spotted 6 Bf 109s and 20 plus Fw 190s. During the next 25 minutes of engagement, several enemy aircraft were shot down and damaged. One of the Bf 109s sustained damage by F/O DeCourcy in Spitfire Mk. IXb MK575.

On Christmas Day 1944, F/O DeCourcy recorded that he was excited to fly one of the squadron’s new Spitfires, a Mk. XVI variant. The next day, during a morning patrol, two Bf 109s attempted to attack 421 Squadron Spitfires. Both enemy aircraft were shot down over Trier, one by F/O DeCourcy in Spitfire Mk. XVI SM366.

What should have been a Happy New Year wasn’t quite so, as on January 1, 1945, the Luftwaffe launched their last full-scale strategic offensive – Operation Bodenplatte. Now at Brussels-Evere, Belgium, 421 Squadron’s base came under a surprise attack. F/O DeCourcy recorded in his logbook, “Whatta performance!!!!!! 150 Me 109s and Fw 190s strafed the aerodrome. Knock out 40 planes. 421 on ground. Innocent bystanders. Steve Butte [403 Squadron]old pupil, gets three. Reeves two. Dave Harling [416 Squadron] buys it. Strafed for 12 minutes. G.C.C. Command fingers up so far missing, believed drunk. After they left 421 does armed recco. Engine, staff car, jeep, one bus, and 3 trains strafed. Wow!”

Tommy DeCourcy was promoted to Flight Lieutenant (F/L) on January 8, 1945. By then, he had accumulated more than 700 hours of flying time in the Spitfire. F/L DeCourcy, flying Spitfire Mk. XVI SM474 on February 14, 1945, “twitched” his way back to base alone after flak took two feet off his port aileron.

“Mrs. DeCourcy's Tommy Gets A Squadron”

On March 29, 1945, Tommy DeCourcy was posted to 443 “Hornet” Squadron RCAF as the Squadron Commander in Petit Brogel, Belgium and was also promoted to Squadron Leader (S/L). The next day, the squadron relocated to Eindhoven, Holland.

The position of Squadron Leader came with some privileges. Of particular benefit to DeCourcy was the ability to select his own aircraft to fly. He elected to almost exclusively fly Spitfire Mk. XVI – serial TB923 - with the fuselage codes 2I-C. On April 26, 1945, the aircraft was destroyed while being flown by F/O Conway, who struck a pole while pulling up from a ground attack. A few days later, the squadron received a new Spitfire Mk. XVIe, one of the few featuring a bubble canopy that provided the pilot with an unobstructed view. DeCourcy claimed the aircraft, serial TD239, for himself and the fuselage markings of 2I-C were once again applied. From then on, he only flew that Spitfire.

Although the war was now clearly in its last stages, enemy flak gunners were fighting through to the bitter end. Most of the experienced Luftwaffe pilots were lost and they were low on aviation fuel. In the last few months though, several 443 Squadron pilots had been killed or injured by German flak guns. The danger was ever present. Often led by S/L DeCourcy, 443 Squadron continued to fly offensive sorties.

Distinguished Flying Cross

On April 25, 1945, S/L DeCourcy, in Spitfire Mk. XVI TB923, led his squadron on two strafing sorties where they destroyed or damaged numerous trains, armoured vehicles, and aircraft. Tommy officially recorded that he damaged one Ju 87 and one unidentified aircraft, both on the ground.

The next day, Group Captain P.S. Turner wrote this about S/L DeCourcy:

This officer is a natural leader with a high sense of duty and courage. The squadron under his leadership has become the crack squadron of this Wing leading the others in MET destroyed, [and] bombs dropped with good effect. This is solely due to his personal efforts and do most strongly recommend that he be awarded an immediate Distinguished Flying Cross.

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is awarded to officers and Warrant Officers for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. On May 9, 1945, Tommy was notified that he would be awarded the DFC. The official citation reads:

Squadron Leader DeCourcy has participated in a very large number of varied sorties. He has invariably displayed a high degree of skill and courage and throughout his devotion to duty had been unfailing. In April 1945, this officer led the squadron in an operation against the airfields at Schwerin and Neustadt where numerous aircraft and much mechanical transport were most effectively attacked.

By his skillful leadership Squadron Leader DeCourcy has contributed materially to the success achieved.

In air fighting this officer has been responsible for the destruction of three enemy aircraft.

Final Days Of War

On May 3, 1945, while returning from the day’s final operation, S/L DeCourcy in Spitfire Mk. XVIe TD239, shared in the destruction of a Ju 88 with F/O W.A. Marshall and F/L R.G. Sim. It would be the squadron’s last victory of the war. Nazi Germany surrendered on May 7.

When VE Day ended the war in Europe, 443 Squadron had 29 pilots on strength. Most of the pilots were more than half way through their tours and could expect early repatriation, although some volunteered to be sent to the Pacific and others volunteered to remain in Europe with the occupation forces. The weeks immediately following cessation of hostilities were filled with rumour and speculation. While waiting for the inevitable uncertainty to be clarified, the squadron continued air operations. They flew escort for Dakotas to and from Copenhagen and participated in flypasts over Bremen and other German cities and former Luftwaffe airfields. In the end, 443 Squadron remained in Germany as part of the occupation force.

On June 7, 1945, Squadron Leader Tommy DeCourcy flew for an hour of formation flying that proved to be his last trip. Later that evening, 23-year-old Tommy was tragically killed in a car accident near Hamburg. During a violent rainstorm, the car he was driving skidded off the road and hit a tree.

The squadron diarist paid tribute to their Commanding Officer, “It is beyond the power of this narrator to fittingly express our emotion. He was deeply admired and respected among the members of his squadron and will be sincerely mourned by all who knew him.”

Two days later, the entire squadron respectfully attended their Leader’s funeral, a gesture clearly demonstrating the high esteem that was held for Tommy. The interment was held at a small cemetery close to the airfield.

Lest we forget.

Author’s Note – The story of Tommy DeCourcy is relatively unknown today. As one of Canada’s most experienced and respected Spitfire pilots, he participated in most of the significant battles that defined the European theatre in World War II. He also flew with significant RCAF Spitfire pilots, many of whom went on to write their wartime memoirs. Their accounts have helped to provide background and context to DeCourcy’s life.

A special thanks to the DeCourcy family and notably Tom Price and Mary Lesperance for providing access to S/L DeCourcy’s logbook, as well as many personal records, and correspondence. Sharing the story of Tommy DeCourcy’s life would not have been possible without their assistance.

Also, thanks to Mike Tabone, Mark Peapell, Chris Thomas, Dave Rohrer, Jim Van Dyk, Emily Mascitti, Mary Guthrie, Sara MacAndrews, Lil Dumouchelle, and Greg Neid for their assistance.