Danish WW2 Pilots

Cpl Peter Bach

(1921 - 1990)

Peter Bach volunteered for the Norwegian Air Force in Little Norway in Canada in late 1942. He served in the Service Police until the camp closed in early 1945.

Peter Bach was born on 17 August 1921 in Veddum parish, the son of farmer Anton Bach and Laura Johanne Bach (née Jeppesen).[1]

Bach emigrated to Canada with his family in 1927 arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from Copenhagen on-board SS Oscar II on 18 April 1927. Their final destination according to the passenger record was Grand Falls, New Brunswick.[2] The family settled in Salmenhurst.

Bach volunteered for the Royal Norwegian Air Force in Canada on 7 December 1942 (N.2309). He was mustered as Aircraft Hand (Group V) for general duties with the rank of Flysoldat II (Aircraftman II).

Having completed initial training from 14 December 1942 to 7 February 1943, he was posted to the Police Department at Little Norway on 8 February 1943.[3] He served in this unit for most of the war. In March 1944 he was trade tested and remustered to the Service Police Trade. The recommendation stated that

he has done his duties satisfactory for more than one year and therefore should be remustered to S.P. Trade.[4]

On 5 March 1945, Bach was transferred to Staff in Little Norway in preparation for the transfer to the United Kingdom. He was transferred to the United Kingdom on 17 March 1945 when the Norwegian Air Forces Training Camp in Canada closed and the Norwegians set up at RAF Winkleigh.

He was released from service in England on 2 November 1945.

Bach remained in Canada for most of his service. He transferred to England in March 1945 as the Norwegian Air Force Training Camp moved from Canada to RAF Wingleigh near Devon.[5]

Bach was naturalised in Canada in 1949.[6]

Endnotes

[1] DNA: Parish record, Skelund sogn.

[2] Ancestry: Canada, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1865-1935.

[3] DAHS: Service record (rulleblad).

[4] NNA: Forsvaret, Flyvåpnenes treningsleir 1940-1945, V/L0045: Ekspedisjonskontoret. Saksområdene 13, 14, 15, 16 og 42, samt personellsaker, 1940-1945.

[5] NNA: Forsvarets Overkommando. 2. kontor. Arkiv 8.1. Mottakersentralen FDE og FO.II, RA/RAFA–6952/P/Pa/L0002: Angell - Beylegaard , 1940–1945, s. 268.

[6] Canada Gazette, 1950, p. 1043 (5217 A).