George Noel Keith
Encyclopedia
George Noel Keith, DFC
(1921 - 1943) was a war pilot
during World War II
. He enlisted at the age of 19 in the Royal Canadian Air Force
. After flight training, he joined 402 Squadron in November, 1941 and was commissioned in May, 1942. He was posted to the Mediterranean theatre in January, 1943 and joined 72 Squadron in March, 1943.
A good pilot with hunting skills honed in the areas around his hometown of Taber, Alberta, Keith was credited with 8.5 victories (5.5 Messerschmitt Bf 109
fighters, 1 Macchi C.200
fighter, and 2 Junkers Ju 88
bombers), 2 probable victories, and 2 damaged. On two occasions he had a 2-kill day. In one 48-hour period he was credited with 3.5 kills.
While strafing ground targets on Aug 4, 1943, Keith's Supermarine Spitfire
Mk V was struck by anti-aircraft fire and he was forced to bale out near Sicily
at 2,000 feet (600 m), but the tailplane of the Spitfire struck him and broke both his legs. His parachute did not open until 300 feet (100 m) and he landed in the sea. He was picked up quickly by air-sea rescue
but died of his injuries shortly after.
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...
(1921 - 1943) was a war pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
during 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...
. He enlisted at the age of 19 in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
. After flight training, he joined 402 Squadron in November, 1941 and was commissioned in May, 1942. He was posted to the Mediterranean theatre in January, 1943 and joined 72 Squadron in March, 1943.
A good pilot with hunting skills honed in the areas around his hometown of Taber, Alberta, Keith was credited with 8.5 victories (5.5 Messerschmitt Bf 109
Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called Me 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser during the early to mid 1930s...
fighters, 1 Macchi C.200
Macchi C.200
The Macchi C.200 Saetta was a World War II fighter aircraft built by Aeronautica Macchi in Italy, and used in various forms throughout the Regia Aeronautica . The MC.200 had excellent manoeuvrability and general flying characteristics left little to be desired...
fighter, and 2 Junkers Ju 88
Junkers Ju 88
The Junkers Ju 88 was a World War II German Luftwaffe twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. Designed by Hugo Junkers' company through the services of two American aviation engineers in the mid-1930s, it suffered from a number of technical problems during the later stages of its development and early...
bombers), 2 probable victories, and 2 damaged. On two occasions he had a 2-kill day. In one 48-hour period he was credited with 3.5 kills.
While strafing ground targets on Aug 4, 1943, Keith's Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
Mk V was struck by anti-aircraft fire and he was forced to bale out near Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
at 2,000 feet (600 m), but the tailplane of the Spitfire struck him and broke both his legs. His parachute did not open until 300 feet (100 m) and he landed in the sea. He was picked up quickly by air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue is the coordinated search and rescue of the survivors of emergency water landings as well as people who have survived the loss of their sea-going vessel. ASR can involve a wide variety of resources including seaplanes, helicopters, submarines, rescue boats and ships...
but died of his injuries shortly after.