S/L Maurice Pettit - 432 Squadron

Squadron Leader Maurice Pettit - 432 Squadron

Squadron Leader Maurice William Pettit (DFC & Bar) - RCAF

Squadron Leader Maurice William Pettit enlisted in the RCAF on the 6th of January, 1940 in Toronto, Ontario. After earning his wings at No.12 EFTS, Goderich, he then graduated from No.5 SFTS Brantford and was granted a commission and posted over seas in January 1942.

After additional training at No. 20 OTU and no.1651 HCU he was posted to 218 squadron and flew a tour of operations the resulted in him earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. His citation reads:

"This officer, who has completed twenty-seven operational missions, has displayed great keenness and tenacity. On two occasions towards the end of 1942 he displayed great resolution in pressing home his attack on certain targets after his aircraft had been badly damaged by enemy action. In February 1943 he took part in an attack on Cologne. Whilst over the city his aircraft was held in the searchlights and hit by anti-aircraft fire. One engine was put out of action and two windows beside the pilot were blown in. Despite this, Flight Lieutenant Pettit successfully bombed his target. His exemplary conduct has been worthy of high praise."

After flying 26 operations with 218 Squadron, he was screened from operations and posted to No.12 OTU as an instructor. On March 13, 1944 he posted in to 432 Squadron at East Moor with his crew, holding the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He went on to fly another 22 operations over five months with the squadron and was promoted to Squadron Leader in July 1944.

The operations flown with 432 squadron were:

Date	Target	Type	A/C Code	A/C Serial #	Up	Down
Mar 18/19 1944	Frankfurt	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	1907	0105
Mar 22/23 1944	Frankfurt	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-K	LW598	1903	2210
Mar 24/25 1944	Berlin	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-A	LW582	1903	0233
Mar 30/31 1944	Nunrberg	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-J	LW617	2157	0521
April 10/11 1944	Ghent	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	2100	0227
April 22/23 1944	Dusseldorf	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	2247	0350
May 1/2 1944	Ghislain	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	2205	0203
May 12/13 1944	Boulogne-Sur-Mer	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	2201	0235
June 2/3 1944	Nuefchapel	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	2225	0222
June 6 1944	Houlgate	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-K	MZ591	0145	0618
June 6/7 1944	Coutances	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	2201	0220
June 8/9 1944	Mayenne	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	2309	0450
June 10/11 1944	Versailles	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	2221	0330
June 16/17 1944	Sterkrade-Holten	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	2317	0338
June 23/24 1944	Bientques	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	2300	0251
June 24/25 1944	Bamieres	Halifax Mk B.III	QO-D	LW596	2355	0337
July 1 1944	Biennais	Halifax Mk VII	QO-D	NP692	1501	1845
July 15/16 1944	Nucourt	Halifax Mk VII	QO-D	NP692	2342	0354
July 17/18 1944	Wessling	Halifax Mk VII	QO-D	NP692	2230	0345
July 24/25 1944	Ferfay	Halifax Mk VII	QO-D	NP692	2218	0212
August 1 1944	Ferme de Forestel	Halifax Mk VII	QO-D	NP703	1527	1859
August 4 1944	Bois de Cassont	Halifax Mk VII	QO-D	NP725	1040	1530

Squadron Leader Pettit's crew from 432 Squadron consisted of:

Name	Service	Trade
S/L Maurice Pettit	RCAF	Pilot
Sgt A. Plummer	RAFVR	Flight Engineer
P/O A. Branch	RCAF	Navigator
F/O W. Gray	RCAF	Bomb Aimer
P/O G. Keogh	RCAF	W/Op/AG
P/O R. Bulllivant	RCAF	Air Gunner
F/Sgt D. Penny	RCAF	Air Gunner

S/L Pettit was screened from his second tour of operations and posted to Warrington on August 18, 1944. Weeks earlier on July 24th, S/L Pettit was awarded a Bar to his DFC, the citation reads:

"Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader Pettit has completed many attacks on heavily defended targets. He has displayed outstanding qualities of courage, skill and determination. His operational record during both of his tours has set an inspiring example to all the members of the squadron."