Canadian Virtual War Memorial
John Kalen
In memory of:
Flying Officer John Kalen
July 18, 1944
Le Mesnil-Frementel, France
Military Service
J/21856
21
Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
439 Squadron
1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, War Medal 1939-45. Posthumously awarded RCAF Operational Wings in recognition of gallant service in action against the enemy, the 21 May 1945.
Additional Information
July 10, 1923
Regina, Saskatchewan
December 9, 1941
North Bay, Ontario
Son of William Kalenchenko and Nellie Kupchanko. Brother of Katherine Kalen, Tom Kupchanko, Helen Buyarski, Mary Beckett and Lena Kariuk.
Commemorated on Page 349 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.
Burial Information
BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Calvados, France
XIX. G. 6.
This cemetery lies on the west side of the main road from Caen to Falaise (route N158) and just north of the village of Cintheaux. Bretteville-sur-Laize is a village and commune in the department of the Calvados, some 16 kilometres south of Caen. The village of Bretteville lies 3 kilometres south-west of the Cemetery. Buried here are those who died during the later stages of the battle of Normandy, the capture of Caen and the thrust southwards (led initially by the 4th Canadian and 1st Polish Armoured Divisions), to close the Falaise Gap, and thus seal off the German divisions fighting desperately to escape being trapped west of the Seine. Almost every unit of Canadian 2nd Corps is represented in the Cemetery. There are about 3,000 allied forces casualties of the Second World War commemorated in this site.
Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Digital Collection
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Letter – Letter to sister, explaining the details of Kalen's crash. LAC, Ottawa. -
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Photo of JOHN KALEN – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
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Grave marker – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
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Letter – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
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Photo of JOHN KALEN – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
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Document – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
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Attestation paper – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
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Document – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
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Grave marker – Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in France -
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Photo of JOHN KALEN – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me -
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Photo of JOHN KALEN – PL-30304 (UK-11720) 14/06/44 439 SQN RCAF Far from his home in Sudbury, Ontario, F/O J. Kalen, has taken his Typhoon over the French invasion coast many times since the landings began. RCAF fighter - bomber squadrons are much feared by German ground troops.
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