Oancia, Stefan

Operation Chastise (Dambusters Raid)

Date of birth:: March 5th, 1923 (Stonehenge/Saskatchewan, Canada)
Date of death:: May 6th, 1999 (Carleton/Ontario, Canada)
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Stefan Oancia was born on 5 March 1923 in Stonehenge, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Romanian immigrant farmers. He attended Twelve Mile Lake school before joining the RCAF in 1941, qualifying as an observer.

After training in England, he joined an Operational Training Unit. Initially posted to Coastal Command for anti-submarine patrols, he later trained on heavy bombers, before joining 44 Squadron. After six missions, Oancia was transferred to 617 Squadron.

During Operation Chastise, Oancia adjusted his bombing approach upon receiving last-minute orders to attack the Sorpe Dam. After multiple practice runs, he dropped the mine successfully, causing a large waterspout but no dam breach. For his role, he received the Distinguished Flying Medal at Buckingham Palace.

Oancia spent the rest of the war training airmen before earning a commission. After returning to Canada, he studied civil engineering at the University of Alberta and later worked on a large dam in Quebec. He married Ruth Griffith in 1953 but had no children.

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Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:: No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: May 28th, 1943
Awarded for:: Operation Chastise

"On the night of the 16th May, 1943, a force of Lancaster bombers was detailed to attack the Moehne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany. The operation was one of great difficulty and hazard, demanding a high degree of skill and courage and close co-operation between the crews of the aircraft engaged. Nevertheless, a telling blow was struck at the enemy by the successful breaching of the Moehne and Eder dams. This outstanding success reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of the above mentioned personnel who participated in the operation, in various capacities as members of aircraft crew."