Flying
Officer John Kalen
Royal
Canadian Air Force
Died
on a bombing mission on the 18-Jul-1944 while based at Lantheuil,
France.
The
following entry is from 439's War Operations Record Book (Form 540): Our Squadron did
three operations today. On the first operation, we were extremely
unfortunate in losing the popular J21856 F/O J. Kalen of Sudbury,
Ontario. It was a profound blow to every man of the Squadron,
especially as it is fairly certain that he was killed when his
aircraft exploded over the target. A week later his body was recovered
and subsequently buried by the 7th Armoured Division
The
following entry is from 439's War Operations Record Book (Form 541): This
morning, in support of a strong attack through enemy positions in the
Caen sector, this Squadron took off to attack mortar positions
Southwest of Caen, Near Moenil-Frementel
on the small group of buildings there under the leadership of S/L
Norsworthy. The target was attacked in a dive from West to East from
7000 ft to 2600 ft. Very little flak was seen throughout the mission.
The aircraft flown by F/O Kalen was seen to explode during the initial
stage of the attack dive. F/O Kalen was believed to have been killed
by the explosion. The aircraft, pilot still aboard, dived into the
forest.
Following
entry is from The
Canadian Virtual War Memorial website courtesy of
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
J21856
F/O J. Kalen is buried at BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE
CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, France Grave Reference: XIX.
G. 6.
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