1939-1945 Star, Aircrew Europe Star,        Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal and Clasp for Mention in Dispatches (MID)

Royal Canadian Air Force

408 Goose Squadron

WW II

Clifford Clarence Reichert was born 25 October 1919 to William and Therese (Riehl) Reichert.  Until his enlistment he had spent his life on the farm at Thornhill, Manitoba with his family. He enjoyed all school sports, in particular, softball. Clifford came from a large family of 11 siblings. At the time of his enlistment he listed his brothers as George, William in the R.C.A.F. at St. Thomas Ontario, John, Edward in the R.C.A.F. at Uplands Ontario, Cecil, Howard in the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, Russel and Robert (died in 1924). Two of his sisters were married and living at Plum Coulee, Lily Irene Unger and Edna May Unger. His sister Elsie Frances was still living on the home farm at Thornhill at that time.

Clifford signed his Attestation Papers on 21 June 1941 and on completion of pilot training in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) was promoted to Sergeant (Sgt). He was posted overseas 29 April 1942 and spent several months in further training, learning to fly the Hadley Page Halifax, a four engine bomber. Upon completion he was posted to 408 Squadron (Sqn) 11 March 1943.  He was commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer (PO), 22 May 1943.

On a night bombing operation, target Krefeld, Germany, 21 -22 June 1943, the bombs were successfully delivered to the target and on return to England, at approximately 0200 hours, PO Reichert’s Halifax was attacked by German nightfighters. The aircraft received extensive damage, several crew members were killed and the aircraft caught fire. Two crew members, Wireless Air Gunner (WAG) George Pridham and Navigator (NAV) Russel Coyle managed to bail out. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft exploded and reported as crashed near the village of Ameidi, Holland. The Halifax and 5 crew were lost and it was not until 1985, when a salvage operation was initiated, that one of the Rolls Royce Merlin engines was found in the River Lek, close to Ameidi, and was incorporated into a monument at Lopik, Holland. The monument, is dedicated, not only as a memorial to the five airmen who were killed but also as a token for peace, freedom and tolerance. It lists the five airmen who were killed as well as the two survivors.

Pilot Officer Reichert was initially listed as missing and in January 1944 his death was confirmed to the Reichert family. The information the family received was published in the two following newspaper articles.

 

Morden Airman Died to Let Two Escape

Morden, Man. Jan 10. - Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Reichert, of Morden have received definite word that their son, Clifford, serving in the R.C.A.F. who was reported missing in July of last year following operations over Germany, was killed. The news came from another member of the crew, Sgt. George Pridham, who was taken prisoner and interned in a prison camp. The latter and the navigator were the only ones who escaped from the crash. Sgt. Pridham states that he had his leg shot off and Sgt. Reichert held the ship up so that his fellow airman could get out, but it was too late for himself.

Tribute To The Late Sgt. Clifford Reichert

The manner in which Sgt Clifford Reichert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm Reichert of Morden, gave up his life for King and country while engaged in flying operations over Germany, is now told in the following letter received from one of the crew of the plane, who is a prisoner of war in Germany. The letter is dated 3 November 1943, and reads as follows: “As you may know I was a member of your son’s crew. I thought I had better drop you a line and tell you about Clifford. He was the bravest man I ever knew. He died to save my life. The Germans informed me that the crew were all dead except the navigator and myself. I had my leg shot off, and Clifford held the ship up so I could get out, then it was too late for him. The navigator, Russel, got out without a scratch. I should have written before, but I couldn’t get the letters. It pains me every time I think of him. He was the best pilot that ever flew. This letter may be rough, but I had to stop your anxiety. I expect to be repatriated in December, and if I possibly can I will go and see you.” I remain Sgt. George Pridham

Pilot Officer Clifford Clarence Reichert has no known grave. He is listed on the monument at Lopik, Holland, the Runnymede Memorial, Surry, UK, and the Morden/Stanley War Memorial as well as on Page 206 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa. Lake Reichert in Manitoba, Longitude - Latitude (DMS) 56* 7’ 26” N, 101* 9’ 32” was named in his memory by the Manitoba Government.

The crew of EQ-T Halifax who did not survive and have no known grave:

Pilot Officer C.C. Reichert - Pilot

Pilot Officer J.P. Dockerill – Wireless Air Gunner

Pilot Officer J.E. Monahan – Bomb Aimer

Sergeant G.M Mclean – Flight Engineer

Pilot Officer W. Searle - Gunner                                                                                                                                                                         

Information supplied by family, Library and Archives Canada and 408 Squadron History.