The Airmen's Stories - F/O P B Pitcher

Paul Brooks Pitcher was born in Montreal, Canada on 5th August 1913, after graduating from school there he attended the Institut Sillig at Vevey, Switzerland. He then graduated from the McGill University Law Faculty in 1938 and joined a law firm.

In December 1935 Pitcher had joined the RCAF Auxiliary and served with 115 (F) Squadron in Montreal.

He was serving with No.1 (RCAF) Squadron when it arrived in the UK on 20th June 1940.

Above on the voyage to the UK (L to R): F/O H deM Molson, F/O PB Pitcher, F/O AD Nesbitt, F/Lt. J-P J Desloges

Pitcher damaged a He111 on 15th September, damaged a Do17 on the 27th and claimed a Me109 destroyed and a Me110 damaged on 5th October. He took command of the squadron on 13th December 1940. It was re-numbered 401 Squadron on 1st March.

Pitcher commanded until the 11th, when he was posted away. He later formed 411 (RCAF) Squadron at Digby and commanded the squadron from 16th June to 16th December 1941.

After home leave in Canada, Pitcher took command of the recently-formed 417 (RCAF) Squadron at Tain on 28th March 1942. He led the squadron to the Middle East in April and served with it until 17th November when he was repatriated to Canada.

Pitcher served as SASO at Western Air Command, Vancouver and temporarily commanded RCAF 'X' Wing at Anchorage, Alaska for nine months. He then attended RCAF Air Staff College and then served at Air Force HQ, Ottawa until late March 1944. Pitcher then went back overseas, to 83 Group 2nd TAF.

He returned to Canada in early September and was released on 28th November 1944 as a Wing Commander.

Pitcher died in 1998.