The war in Europe is over, but some of the boys hear rumours that RCAF squadrons could be reassigned to fight the Japanese in South-East Asia. You are proud to serve your country, but you have had enough of war. Fortunately the rumours are not true. Your squadron stays stationed in Europe, but some Canadian naval pilots do serve in the Pacific.

Canada's Last Victoria Cross: Naval Lieutenant Robert Gray
Lieutenant Robert Gray, Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, flew off the British Aircraft Carrier, H.M.S. Formidable on August 9th 1945, to lead an attack on Japanese shipping in Onagawa Bay, on the Japanese mainland. When they arrived at their target site, the fliers found several Japanese warships and dived in to attack. The Allied planes came under fierce anti-aircraft fire from Japanese army batteries on the ground and from Japanese warships. Lieutenant Gray lined up for an attack on an enemy destroyer. He ignored the concentrated anti-aircraft fire and made straight for his target. His aircraft was hit and hit again, but he did not abandon his attack. Even though his plane was on fire, Gray dove to within fifty feet of the Japanese ship before releasing his bombs. He scored at least one direct hit, possibly more. The destroyer sank almost immediately. Gray's plan crashed seconds later. In recognition of his extreme dedication to duty and his willingness to sacrifice his life to destroy the enemy, Robert Grey received a posthumous Victoria Cross - the last received by a Canadian.

Historical Note: Canadian pilots in the Pacific

Burma:
In the Far Eastern theatre of war the Dakotas of Nos. 435 and 436 Squadrons did similar work in vastly different surroundings. upporting the Fourteenth Army Operations in Burma they dropped supplies by parachute on DZs (drop zones) which were usually small clearings in the jungle where from the air appeared to be no larger than "geranium pots." In addition to the hazards of the jungle and the storms and diseases of the tropics, the crews often had to run a gauntlet of intense ground fire from Japanese positions close to their DZs or landing strips. On one occasion the unarmed Dakotas were attacked by enemy fighters.

Tiger Force:
When the war ended in Europe the RCAF proceeded with plans to send a contingent of eight heavy bomber squadrons for operations with "Tiger Force" in the Pacific campaign. These eight squadrons of No. 6 Group flew their Lancasters home to Canada in June, but the war in the Far East ended before they had been re-formed and re- equipped.