George Beurling
Canadian fighter pilot and flying ace / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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George Frederick "Buzz" Beurling, DSO, DFC, DFM & Bar (6 December 1921 – 20 May 1948) was the most successful Canadian fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War.
George Beurling | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "Buzz" "Screwball" "Joe" |
Born | (1921-12-06)6 December 1921 Verdun, Quebec, Canada |
Died | 20 May 1948(1948-05-20) (aged 26) Rome, Italy |
Allegiance | United Kingdom Canada Israel |
Service/ | Royal Air Force (1940–43) Royal Canadian Air Force (1943–44) Israeli Air Force (1948) |
Years of service | 1940–1944, 1948 |
Rank | Flight Lieutenant (RCAF) |
Service number | 128707 |
Battles/wars | Second World War |
Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross Distinguished Flying Medal & Bar |
Beurling was recognised as "Canada's most famous hero of the Second World War", as "The Falcon of Malta" and the "Knight of Malta",[1] having been credited with shooting down 27 Axis aircraft in just 14 days over the besieged Mediterranean island. Before the war ended his official total climbed to either 31[2] or 311⁄3.[3]
Beurling's wartime service was terminated prior to war's end, for repeated stunting and his lack of teamwork. Having found a way to potentially continue combat flying in the postwar era, Beurling was killed in a crash while attempting to deliver an aircraft to Israel.[4]