Frederick Alan Aikman
Encyclopedia
Frederick Alan "Butch" Aikman DFC
and Bar (5 March 1919 – ) was a Canadian
World War II
flying ace
, credited with 9.5 victories.
Aikman was a clerk and ledger keeper and served as a Sergeant in The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
before enlisting 6 November 1940. After graduating from flight training on 13 September 1941, Aikman was posted overseas. Joining the No. 154 Squadron RAF
on 6 January 1942. The squadron moved to North Africa in January 1943 where Aikman was hospitalized for malaria on 27 July. After recuperation in Canada, Aikman was retrained to fly Dakotas and reposted overseas on 27 September 1944. Flying with No.436 Squadron from 14 November 1944 to 23 September 1945, Aikman was returned to Canada 23 November 1945, and released from service 14 December 1945.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
and Bar (5 March 1919 – ) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
, credited with 9.5 victories.
Aikman was a clerk and ledger keeper and served as a Sergeant in The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada is a militia regiment within the Canadian Forces, based in Toronto, Ontario. The regiment is part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group. It is the only Primary Reserve regiment in Canada to have a parachute role. The regiment consists of the reserve...
before enlisting 6 November 1940. After graduating from flight training on 13 September 1941, Aikman was posted overseas. Joining the No. 154 Squadron RAF
No. 154 Squadron RAF
No. 154 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as a fighter unit in World War II.-Formation and World War I:No...
on 6 January 1942. The squadron moved to North Africa in January 1943 where Aikman was hospitalized for malaria on 27 July. After recuperation in Canada, Aikman was retrained to fly Dakotas and reposted overseas on 27 September 1944. Flying with No.436 Squadron from 14 November 1944 to 23 September 1945, Aikman was returned to Canada 23 November 1945, and released from service 14 December 1945.
Victories
| Date | # | Type | Location | Aircraft flown | Unit assigned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 November 1942 | one | Ju.88 | destroyed | |||
| 13 November 1942 | one | Ju.88 | destroyed | |||
| 16 November 1942 | two | Savoia | half-share in each | |||
| 22 November 1942 | one | Ju.88 | probably destroyed | |||
| 28 November 1942 | two | Do.217 | 1 destroyed 1 damaged | |||
| 13 January 1943 | one | FW.190 | destroyed | |||
| 5 April 1943 | one | Ju.87 | destroyed | |||
| 5 April 1943 | one | Bf.109G | damaged | |||
| 10 April 1943 | one | Bf.109G | destroyed | |||
| 13 April 1943 | one | Bf.109G | damaged | |||
| 25 April 1943 | one | Bf.109G | destroyed | |||
| 17 July 1943 | one | Macchi | destroyed (fighter) |