Weeks, Harvey Alexander

Operation Chastise (Dambusters Raid)

Date of birth:: December 10th, 1919 (Chilliwack/British Columbia, Canada)
Date of death:: March 22nd, 1992 (Chilliwack/British Columbia, Canada)
Service number:: J/19206
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Harvey Alexander Weeks was born on 10 December 1919 in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.

After qualifying as an air gunner in the RCAF, he joined 97 Squadron at Woodhall Spa in October 1942, completing nearly 30 operations by March 1943. He volunteered in the newly formed 617 Squadron.

During the mission to bomb the dams, Weeks's crew lost intercom contact due to flak on the Dams Raid and returned to base with the mine intact.

Over the next 11 months, Weeks completed 60 operations.

Commissioned in November 1943, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in June 1944. After being taken off operations, he joined 1690 Bomber Defence Training Flight, where Munro was posted as CO.

Weeks returned to Canada after the war.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Pilot Officer
Unit:: No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: June 30th, 1944

"Pilot Officer Weeks has completed 46 operational sorties as an Air Gunner. He has taken part in attacks against such heavily defended targets as Berlin, Essen, Hamburg and has several times been in action over northern Italy. He volunteered to join a Special Duties squadron in March 1943 and has since then carried out 20 sorties against specially selected targets in occupied Europe. He has been operating continuously since October 1942 and his magnificent devotion to duty and complete disregard of danger when his aircraft has been heavily engaged have materially assisted in these successful attacks against the enemy. He has been a source of inspiration to the remainder of his crew and he is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."