FLTLT Patrick Vincent McDade 403000

DFC

Pat was born on the 22/6/1920 and enlisted in the RAAF. He was granted Flight Lieutenant status and flew with the famous 453 Squadron where he received his DFC.

Pat was discharged from the RAAF on the 4/1/1946.

One account of Pat in action:

Operating from Perranporth in Cornwall 453 Squadron CO, Sqn Ldr D.G. Andrews was leading seven spitfires on an offensive sweep near Brest, France when the squadron achieved its greatest single victory. They had almost reached their turning point at 8.30am when eight Me-110's were seen in formation low on the water. As the Spitfires dived to intercept, the enemy scattered but were easily brought to combat and five were shot down, two by Flying Officer P.V. McDade, two by Pilot Officer C.R. Leith and one by Russ Ewins.

Squadron Leader Russell H.S. Ewins (Left) and Pat McDade (Right) share a laugh at a time when humour was pretty thin on the ground.

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Citation for DFC

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Missing during Air Operation

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France, 07-1944. Pilots of No. 453 squadron RAAF Left to right: FLGOFF J.F. Olver; FLGOFF K.K. Lawrence; SQNLDR D.H. Smith; FLTLT A. Lancaster; FLGOFF Michael West and FLTLT Pat V. McDade who was later shot down and taken prisoner of war 26-07-1944.

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Sussex, England. 1944-05-25. Left To Right: 403000 Flight Lieutenant P. V. Mcdade, Casino, NSW; 411643 Warrant Officer C. A. Rice, Armidale, NSW; 420544 Flight Sergeant J. A. Boulton, Kogarah, NSW; 409149 Flying Officer V. A. Lancaster, North Fitzroy, Vic, listening to a selection of the latest recordings on a portable gramophone. All are members of No. 453 (Spitfire) Squadron RAAF of The Second Tactical Air Force, based at RAF Station For

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Bayeux, France. C. 1944-07. Pilots of No. 453 (Spitfire) Squadron RAAF sightseeing outside Bayeux cathedral during a rest from patrolling the Normandy battlefields. Left to Right: Squadron Leader D. H. Smith, Flying Officer (FLGOFF) K. K. Lawrence; FLGOFF J. F. Olver; Flight Lieutenant (FLTLT) V. A. Lancaster; FLGOFF M. West; FLTLT P. V. Mcdade.

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