Watson, Earl C

Name: Earl Carruthers WATSON

Born 1 November 1909

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario

Age at arrival in Buchenwald: 34

Died 4 March 1996 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, age 86

Service: Royal Canadian Air Force

Service ID: J/28858

Service Rank: Flight Officer

Duties: Bombardier

Air Group: 432 Squadron

Airbase: East Moor, Norfolk UK

Aircraft: Halifax bomber LW582

Date shot down: 8 June 1944

Fate of crew: 1 KIA, 6 evaded; 2 of them captured (Watson and C HOFFMAN)

Evasion summary: Sheltered with BARHAM and PENNEL in St Denis le Ferment.

Date captured: 7 August 1944

Capture summary: BARHAM, FIX, PENNELL were picked up by Desoubrie to pick up a German officer and then on to Gestapo HQ. Interrogated, sent to Fresnes Prison.

Boxcar Transport: 15-20 August 1944, in boxcar #1 or #2, shifted to #3 after train change with Lamason, Dauteuil, Watmough, Scullion, J Smith, Head, Watson, and C Hoffman, joining Richey, Bedford, Martini, Wilson, Carr, Pennell, Perry, Bastable, Grenon, Gibson, High, Hodgson, Prudham, Sonshine, Robb, R Mills, Whellum, Spierenburg, Taylor, Allen, Harvie, Larson, McLaughlin, Moser, Petrich. Roberson, Stevenson, Vinecombe, and Zeiser.

Buchenwald ID: 78431

Notes on Buchenwald internment:

Transferred from Buchenwald to: Stalag Luft III, East Compound

Kriege ID: 8072

Notes on SLIII internment:

Subsequent transfer to: Marlag und Milag Nord

Notes on internment: Approximately 3000 POWs were marched out by the SS in early April 1945, headed to Lubek. The column was attacked repeatedly by Allied aircraft. Watson is not on the list of POWs at Lubek, but it is not comprehensive (only around 200 names).

Liberation: POWs on the march to Lubek were freed by the British Guards Armored Division on 27 April 1945. Those remaining at Marlag-Milag were liberated by the British 2nd Army on 2 May 1945, and airlifted to the UK by 15 May 1945.

Repatriation from ETO:

Discharged:

Veteran status:

Notes on Post-War period: