George "Buzz" Beurling

[Jon Skagfeld]

Since the year 2005 is officially designated as the Year of the Veteran, I thought that I'd encapsulate a short biography of a true Canadian veteran hero, whose name and exploits probably escape most Canadians reading this thread.

Born in 1921 in Verdun, PQ, Beurling was credited with 33 1/3 victories during WW II, putting him among the top 10 Allied aces.

He also was awarded the DSO, DFC and DFM*.

During his tour of duty at Takali airfield in Malta with 249 Sqn, he shot down 27 enemy aircraft in 14 days!

After the war, he was recruited by the Haganah and Machal via Shulemson to fight for the new state of Israel.

En route to his mission, at Urbe airfield, in Italy, during a routine flight check, his Noorduyn Norseman burst into flames and crashed near the river Tiber. No satisfactory explanation was ever given for this crash.

At first buried near Rome, his remains were disinterred and now rest at Mount Carmel in the Zahal Cemetary, Israel.

How many Canadians can recall this Spitfire pilot, who was feted by McKenzie King (Canadian Prime Minister at the time), and who was incorrectly named "Screwball" Beurling?

Year of the Veteran...Pause for thought...Respice In Pacem...