John Latta (RAF officer)

John Blandford Latta, DFC (6 August 1914 – 12 January 1941) was a Canadian-born officer who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.

Flying the Hawker Hurricane fighter, he flew extensively during the Battle of France, and helped cover the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk.

He subsequently flew in the Battle of Britain, claiming more aerial victories in addition to those achieved in France, and being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The son of a veteran of the First World War, Lieutenant Colonel William S. Latta who had served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, he went to Oak Bay High School before going on to Victoria College.

[1][2] In response to a recruitment advertisement, Latta applied for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force (RAF).

After a week, it moved to the continent for closer support and became heavily engaged as it covered the retreat of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in the face of the German advance.

Its final base was at Nantes before the survivors flew back to England, landing at Coltishall on 18 June to rest and reequip.

[5] On 21 August, Latta was one of three pilots that contributed to the destruction of a Dornier Do 17 medium bomber 8 miles (13 km) west of Harleston.

[7] Shortly afterwards, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; the citation, published in The London Gazette, read: Pilot Officer Latta has destroyed eight enemy aircraft in operations over France and this country.

He has displayed the utmost coolness in the midst of fierce combat.In early 1941, Fighter Command switched to offensive tactics, flying operations to France.