CREW MEMBER PROFILE

Surname:

HAAKSTAD

First Name/s:

Simon Wilton

Service No/s:

J40944

Service:

RCAF

Branch:

Air Bomber

Awards:

Return

SERVICE RECORDS

Date

Event

Aircraft Flown
18 Jul 1944

28 Operational Training Unit, Wymeswold, Leicestershire

Wellington
11 Oct 1944

11/71 Base, Lindholme, South Yorkshire 1 Group administration base for Heavy Bomber conversion

20 Oct 1944

1667 Heavy Conversion Unit, Sandtoft Exact date to be confirmed

Halifax
04 Dec 1944

1667 Heavy Conversion Unit Lancaster Finishing School Exact date to be confirmed. Final flight 9 December 1944

Lancaster
10 Dec 1944

Joined 'A' Flight, 576 Squadron, Fiskerton Exact date to be confirmed

Lancaster
17 Dec 1944

Set Rank from Flight Record

18 Dec 1944

Set Rank from Flight Record

29 Dec 1944

Set Rank from Flight Record

12 Sep 1945

Set Rank from Flight Record

14 Sep 1945

Transferred to RCAF (Reserve), General Section, Class E
Canada Gazette No.150 Vol LXXIX p61

576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS

Date

Aircraft

Code

Flight Details

T/O

Land

Flt Time

Crew

17 Dec 1944

NF975

UL-J2

Training

1200

1705

5h05

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Pre-operational cross-country navigation exercise with practice bombing

18 Dec 1944

NF975

UL-J2

Training

1135

1340

2h05

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

'Y' (H2S) simulated bombing runs with full warload and practice bombing.

29 Dec 1944

LM227

UL-I2

SCHOLVEN BUER

1510

2125

6h15

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Hydeierwerke Scholven synthetic oil refinery. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16x 500lb bombs. Described by O'Neill as 'Hot - sticky flak'.

31 Dec 1944

PD363

UL-K2

OSTERFELD

1505

2110

6h05

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 6x 1000lb, 6x 500lb bombs. Described by O'Neill as 'Quiet'.

02 Jan 1945

JB410

UL-H2

NUREMBURG

1500

2300

8h00

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 1x4000lb 'cookie', 14x 500lb bombs. Described by O'Neill as 'Target quiet. Fighters on homeward journey - 2 sighted'. Sighted FW190 - no combat

05 Jan 1945

NN749

UL-G2

Training

1705

2120

4h15

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

'Y' (H2S) night cross-country navigation exercise with practice bombing. Aircraft damaged at 2114 hrs on return. Bounced on touchdown and swung off runway. Undercarriage collapsed. Crew unhurt.

12 Jan 1945

PB785

UL-L2

Training

1420

1735

3h15

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   Sgt B.A. Templeman-Rooke
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation exercise, dual check, circuits & landings.

14 Jan 1945

PD403

UL-F2

MERSEBURG / LEUNA

1925

0350

8h25

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: IG Farbenindustrie synthetic oil refinery. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 12x 500lb bombs. Described by O'Neill as 'Very sticky flak at target, otherwise quiet'.

16 Jan 1945

PD403

UL-F2

ZEITZ - TROGLITZ

1740

0145

8h05

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Braunkohle-Benzin synthetic oil plant (low grade MT fuel). Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 12x 500lb bombs. Described by O'Neill as 'Clear target. Searchlights active. Hot flak. Good prang'.

22 Jan 1945

PD403

UL-F2

DUISBERG

1700

2225

5h25

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Steelwork coking ovens & rolling mills in the Hamborn area of the city and a benzol plant in Bruckhausen. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16x 500lb bombs. Described by O'Neill as 'Short trip. Searchlights active. Medium flak, Good prang'.

26 Jan 1945

PD403

UL-F2

Training

1310

1605

2h55

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation exercise; air-to-sea firing

01 Feb 1945

PD363

UL-K2

LUDWIGSHAFEN

1605

2305

7h00

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Marshalling yards, factories & troop positions. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 1620x 4lb incendiaries. Described by O'Neill as 'Quiet trip. Few searchlights. Little flak. No fighters, Bad weather'.

03 Feb 1945

PD403

UL-F2

BOTTROP

1630

2220

5h50

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Prosper coking plant & benzol refinery. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16x 500lb bombs. The crew witnessed a bomber being shot down after being 'coned' by searchlights. Described by O'Neill as 'Short trip. Most searchlights ever!! Little flak. Good prang'.

07 Feb 1945

PB785

UL-L2

KLEVE

1915

0030

5h15

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Enemy strongpoints. Flown in support of the 1st Canadian Army and 15th Scottish Division attacking the town. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16 x 500lb bombs. Described by O'Neill as 'Troop concentration. Army co-op. Short trip. Good prang'.

13 Feb 1945

NF975

UL-J2

DRESDEN

2135

0715

9h40

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Operation THUNDERCLAP. Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 2000lb, 1484x 4lb incendiaries. Described by O'Neill as 'Long tiresome trip. ASI froze up in cloud. Short of petrol'.

23 Feb 1945

LM227

UL-I2

PFORZHEIM

1600

0000

8h00

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Operation THUNDERCLAP. Target: Built-up area around 4852N 00842E, and a ball-bearing factory. Load: 1x 4,000lb 'cookie', 2480x 4lb incendiaries. At 2020 the crew were attacked by a Ju-88 shortly after dropping their load and the port mainplane was damaged. The rear gunner, Ranchuk, opened fire and claimed hits on the enemy aircraft. Described by O'Neill as 'Long trip. Attacked twice by Ju-88 in target area. Slightly damaged'. The combat report can be seen below.

26 Feb 1945

PD403

UL-F2

Training

1315

1755

4h40

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation exercise into France.

08 Mar 1945

RA562

UL-B2

KASSEL

1710

0050

7h40

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 1470x 4lb incendiaries. Described by O'Neill as 'Quiet trip. Defences light. No fighters, Fair prang'.

11 Mar 1945

SW276

UL-G2

ESSEN

1150

1650

5h00

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area; flown in support of the advancing Allied ground forces. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16x 500lb bombs. Described by O'Neill as 'Short quiet trip. Little flak. No fighters. 10/10 cloud'.

12 Mar 1945

SW276

UL-G2

DORTMUND

1310

1830

5h20

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area; flown in support of the advancing allied forces. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16x 500lb bombs. Described by O'Neill as 'Short quiet trip. Moderate flak. Fair prang'.

15 Mar 1945

RA562

UL-B2

MISBURG

1715

0050

7h35

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Deurag oil refinery. Load 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 1320x 4lb incendiaries. Described by O'Neill as 'Fair trip. Clear target. Searchlights active. Moderate flak. Good prang'.

16 Mar 1945

RA562

UL-B2

NUREMBURG

1720

0145

8h25

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 1470x 4lb incendiaries. Described by O'Neill as 'Long trip. Searchlights. Flak & fighters galore!! Many of our a/c seen going down'.

20 Mar 1945

JB410

UL-G2

Training

1415

1640

2h25

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

'Y' (H2S) practice bombing runs followed by bombing practice on the range.

21 Mar 1945

LM594

UL-A2

Air Test

1145

1310

1h25

P1   Fg Off B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Air test

22 Mar 1945

RA562

UL-B2

HILDESHEIM

1130

1620

4h50

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Target: Railway yards. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 1920x 4lb incendiaries. The aircraft's nose perspex was hit by flak and Haakstad received head injuries from the splinters - he did not return to flying duties until 29 April. Described by O'Neill as 'Short trip. Clear target. Good prang. Air Bomber injured by flak. Air Bomber u/s for 30 days'.

29 Apr 1945

RA562

UL-B

VALKENBURG AIRFIELD

1140

1420

2h40

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Operation MANNA: the dropping of supplies to the starving Dutch population. Load: 4x 'blocks'. The crew would have been pleased to welcome back Haakstad, who had recovered from his head injuries.

01 May 1945

RA562

UL-B

ROTTERDAM

1445

1745

3h00

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Flt Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Flt Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Operation MANNA. Load: 4x 'blocks'.

02 May 1945

RA562

UL-B

ROTTERDAM

1250

1535

2h45

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Flt Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Flt Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Flt Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Operation MANNA. Load: 4x 'blocks'. The Squadron Armaments Officer, Flt Lt Mackenzie, came along as passenger.

03 May 1945

RA562

UL-B

VALKENBURG AIRFIELD

1015

1305

2h50

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Flt Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Flt Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Flt Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Operation MANNA supply drop. Load: 4 'blocks'

04 May 1945

LM594

UL-A

VALKENBURG AIRFIELD

1135

1420

2h45

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Flt Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Flt Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Flt Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Operation MANNA supply drop. Load: 4 'blocks'.

08 May 1945

RA562

UL-B

ROTTERDAM

1205

1530

3h25

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Flt Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Flt Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Flt Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   Flt Sgt D. Ranchuk RCAF

NOTES:

Operation MANNA on VE Day. Load: 4x 'blocks'.

11 May 1945

RA562

UL-B

FISKERTON - BRUSSELS BS8

1030

nk

N/K

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Flt Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Flt Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Flt Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   

NOTES:

Operation EXODUS *On EXODUS flights, the crews carried only one gunner, normally the Rear Gunner who flew in the mid-upper turret

11 May 1945

RA562

UL-B

BRUSSELS B58 – FORD

nk

nk

N/K

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Flt Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Flt Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Flt Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   

NOTES:

Operation EXODUS *On EXODUS flights, the crews carried only one gunner, normally the Rear Gunner who flew in the mid-upper turret Load: 24 pax

11 May 1945

RA562

UL-B

FORD - FISKERTON

nk

1650

N/K

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Plt Off R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Flt Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Flt Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Flt Sgt A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   

NOTES:

Operation EXODUS *On EXODUS flights, the crews carried only one gunner, normally the Rear Gunner who flew in the mid-upper turret

16 May 1945

RA562

UL- B

FISKERTON - BRUSSELS BS8

0730

nk

nk

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Flt Lt R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Flt Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Flt Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Plt Off A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   

NOTES:

Operation EXODUS *On EXODUS flights, the crews carried only one gunner, the crews carried only one Air Gunner who occupied the mid-upper turret. 21 aircraft were scheduled for this operation, but 10 were cancelled before briefing

16 May 1945

RA562

UL- B

BRUSSELS B58 – WESTCOTT

nk

nk

nk

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Flt Lt R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Flt Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Flt Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Plt Off A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   

NOTES:

Operation EXODUS *On EXODUS flights, the crews carried only one gunner, normally the Rear Gunner who flew in the mid-upper turret Load: 24 pax

16 May 1945

RA562

UL- B

WESTCOTT - FISKERTON

nk

1310

nk

P1   Flt Lt B.H. O'Neill RCAF
P2   
FE   Flt Lt R.J. Durran
AB   Fg Off S.W. Haakstad RCAF
NAV  Flt Sgt J.G. Ogilvie
WOp  Flt Sgt F.C. Smith
MUG  Plt Off A.J.W. George RCAF
RG   

NOTES:

Operation EXODUS *On EXODUS flights, the crews carried only one gunner, normally the Rear Gunner who flew in the mid-upper turret

12 Sep 1945

RF200

UL-D

GLATTON - FISKERTON

nk

1655

nk

P1    S.W. Haakstad RCAF
P2   
FE   
AB   
NAV  
WOp  
MUG  
RG   

NOTES:

Operation DODGE These DODGE sorties comprised Pilot, Engineer, Air Bomber, Nav, WOp and a gunner in the mid-upper turret. The crews below are listed in that order.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Personal Records Restricted - not available to the public

PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS

Personal Documents Restricted - not available to the public