Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Memorial – Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Flight Lieutenant Johann Walter Einarson is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Flight Lieutenant Johann Walter Einarson is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Remembering brothers lost … Brothers In Arms Memorial, Zonnebeke, BE … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022

Newspaper clipping – From the Regina Leader Post January 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Cemetery – F/L Einarson was pilot of Lancaster LL 775, 61 (RAF) Sqdn. on operations to Augsburg, Germany, when the aircraft crashed at Lagarde in the Parc Regional de Lorraine (Moselle), some 14 km s of Dieuze, France. He was the only Canadian crew member. The other crew members killed were Sgt M.L.Worth KIA P/O A.J.Collins RAAF KIA F/S R.T.Gill RAAF KIA F/S P.L.Jones KIA F/S H.Rankin DFM KIA. One crew member survived and was able to successfully evade capture. He was: W/O P.R.Greatrex RAAF (Source: www.lostbombers.co.uk) Sadly, his twin brother, F/S (Pilot) Harold Bjorn Einarson, was killed at age 19 September 10, 1942, while serving on 207 (RAF) Squadron.

Medal – F/L Einarson was awarded both the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The citations read as follows: EINARSON, FS Johann Walter (R87302) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.44 Squadron - Award effective 12 April 1943 as per London Gazette dated 20 April 1943 and AFRO 985/43 dated 28 May 1943. Born at Wynard, Saskatchewan, 1920; home in Shallbrook, Saskatchewan. Enlisted in Saskatoon, 10 February 1941. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 9 May 1941), No.15 EFTS (graduated 3 July 1941), and No.11 SFTS (graduated11 September 1941). Commissioned 1943. This pilot has displayed the greatest possible determination to locate and bomb his target on all possible occasions. He has taken part in many long and dangerous raids on a variety of targets in Germany and Italy including the recent raids on Berlin. He has also secured good photographs. His calmness and courage have inspired great confidence in his crew and contributed to the success of many missions. EINARSON, F/O Johann Walter, DFM (J17276) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.61 Squadron - Award effective 8 January 1944 as per London Gazette dated 25 January 1944 and AFRO 410/44 dated 25 February 1944. This officer has completed a very large number of sorties including five attacks on Berlin. On the last occasion one night in November 1943, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and sustained damage. Nevertheless, Flying Officer Einarson pressed home his attack. Soon after the bombs had been released, the aircraft was struck, the starboard wing tip and part of the aileron were torn away and the aircraft went into a steep dive. Flying Officer Einarson succeeded in regaining control and afterwards flew safely to an airfield in this country. Throughout his tour of operations this officer has invariably displayed a high degree of skill, courage and determination.

Newspaper Clipping – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Photo of JOHANN WALTER EINARSON – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me