Of the approximately 45,000 Canadians who gave their lives in World War II,
almost half were members of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The majority of
overseas casualties came from RAF Bomber Command. Over 27,000 of the RCAF's
active operations during World War II were flown in the Handley-Page Halifax
bomber.When Canada went to war in September 1939, many Americans volunteered for
service in the Canadian forces. By December 1941, 6,129 Americans were serving
in the RCAF as aircrew. One such American was James G. Keys from Allenstown,
Pennsylvania. On May 10, 1944 Jim Keys was assigned to the RCAF's base No. 63 at
Skipton-on-Swale, England. From there, he piloted Halifax MZ802, coded QB-G (G
for Gerty). The pink flying elephant painted on the nose of this craft was
dubbed "Gallopin' Gerty".
The mid-upper gunner, Flt/Sgt Peter Engbrecht was a member of Canada's
pacifist Mennonite community. After convincing his parents to let him join the
war effort, he distinguished himself by shooting down many enemy aircraft while
engaged in bombing runs in Gallopin' Gerty and other aircraft. For these actions
he was one of only eight Canadians awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal and
was invested by HM King George VI on July 8, 1944.
Jim Keys and his crew finished their tour in 'Gerty' after 23 missions and
were sent on leave. On October 9/10, 1944 'Gerty', with a different crew, was
among 209 No. 6 Group bombers sent to Bochum. Of these aircraft, 5 aborted the
mission and three were shot down, 'Gerty' being among them.
