by Nick Thomas
‘“I plan to contact Owen Johnson of Pan American Airways, who has something to do with the U.S.-China ferry service, to see if he can get me into the Chinese Air Force more quickly,” Beurling said. “But barring that, I will join the U.S. Air Corps or the Ferry Service itself – anything to help me get back into action.”
‘Enlistment Speeds Papers
‘“Of course,” he pointed out, “if I enlisted with the U.S. Air Corps I would automatically be an American citizen after 90 days. I might do that, too. They’re a good bunch to be with,” he added.’
Although still committed to get into the Far East Theatre of Operations, Beurling was said to be continuing to explore every option:
‘Although definitely decided that he wants to fight the Japs, he was not at all sure yet that he was going to meet with immediate success across the border.’
‘Can Make Own Plans
‘Given a release from the RCAF effective Sept. 15, he said tonight that the Air Force had given him permission to do whatever he wished and that on Sept. 16 he was, “a civilian and allowed to make any decisions he wished.”
‘In previous interviews he said that he hoped to be on his way to China by Oct. 15, but tonight he was not so certain of success by that date and gave the impression that negotiations with the Chinese authorities here in Canada had not been so successful.’
Beurling conveyed his disappointment in his service with the RCAF:
‘“I made fifty operational flights without seeing a thing. You’d fly along with your fingers just itching to press the trigger button and there wouldn’t be a thing to get your sights on. That wasn’t worth hanging around for.”
‘Settle Matters Later
‘Asked what he was going to do after the war if he couldn’t stand being away from aerial fighting now, he replied: “You know I have been thinking of that. I can’t very well start a private war of my own, can I? I thought when I came back to Canada that I would settle down and take it easy, no more fighting and perhaps little flying, but after five days I had enough of that. I guess I’ll just have to wait until the war is over to find out,” he said.’
Meanwhile, it was rumoured that Beurling was looking to re-enlist – back into the RAF. According to a news article this was a done deal, but of course there was no such arrangement:
‘BUZZ BEURLING TO RE-JOIN RAF
‘Winnipeg, September 13 1944 – (CP) – Flight-Lieut. George (Buzz) Beurling, 22-year-old Canadian air ace, said in an interview here last night he was returning to the RAF, “the only service with which I have ever been completely happy.”
“They know how I like to work and they’re quite willing to allow me to work in that particular manner,” he said.
‘Beurling, who will visit the west coast before returning to England, expects to be in China within the next two months.
‘“I want to see some action against Jap fighters – at least they come out and fight – the Germans don’t offer opposition any more.”
‘He will be officially released from the RCAF on September 16, and will join the RAF as a civilian. “But I’ll go straight into operations.”
‘“I may lose my rank but it will be worth it,” he said. “I’m not interested in rank – it doesn’t affect your work.”’
On what was the very eve of his return to Civvy Street, Beurling was reported to have spoken out, expressing the reasons behind his resignation and why it was so readily accepted:
‘Beurling Says Professional Jealousy Brought Resignation From RCAF
‘Winnipeg, Sept. 13 1944 (CP) – George (Buzz) Beurling, 22-year-old Canadian air ace, said in an interview here today he resigned from the RCAF because, “You can’t fight the Huns and professional jealousy at the same time.”
‘Beurling is returning to the RAF and expects to be in the China theatre, “to fight the Japs” within two months.
‘“I’ll always fly,” he said, “but the RCAF wanted to get me behind a desk, so I took off my uniform. The people I flew with overseas, those in charge, were the kowtowing type. I’m too independent for that. I never want to let anyone get the best of me.”
‘He said professional jealousy of several officers was responsible for the “attempt to get me grounded.”
‘Beurling said he might come back to Canada after the war and do some flying.
‘“I’ll live anywhere west of Calgary. That’s Canada to me.”’
He was released from the RCAF on 16 October 1944, as a Squadron Leader, having been given an honourable discharge. But Beurling was not ready to give up hopes of further combat and travelled to New York City where he tried to enlist into the USAAF.
For the next few months Beurling lived off his mustering-out pay and his fees for various interviews. He had continued to see Diana and the couple announced, via the press, their impending nuptials.
Beurling was in the news again in late November:
‘CANADIAN ACE TO WED B.C. GIRL
‘Montreal, Nov. 25 1944 – Flt. Lt. George (Buzz) Beurling, Canada’s ace of the aerial defense of Malta, disclosed today that he is to be married, “some time before Dec. 15.”’
A press report later explained why Beurling was not engaged by the USAAF, when he, ‘revealed that a stomach injury has washed him out of any future flying.’
‘The bride will be Miss Diana Whittall [sic], Vancouver debutante, whom he met on the west coast three years ago during a tour organised by the Canadian Government following his return from Malta. Miss Whittall is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norman R. Whittall of Vancouver, and granddaughter of Sir James Whittall. The wedding will take place in Montreal.’
In the end Canada didn’t have too long to wait, news of their marriage leaking out only a few days later:
‘BEURLING WEDS VANCOUVER GIRL
‘Montreal, Nov. 29 1944 (CP) – George (Buzz) Beurling of neighboring Verdun was married here today to Mrs. Diana Whittall Gardner of Vancouver, in a quiet ceremony attended only by two witnesses.
‘The ace of the defense of Malta, who has been in civilian clothes for the last week, following his rejection on medical grounds when he attempted to rejoin the RAF, was in his Air Force uniform for the wedding. He wore the ribbons of his decoration – the DSO, DFC, and DFM and Bar. ‘The bride wore a dark dress and carried a bouquet of white orchids, sent from Vancouver by her mother. After the ceremony, the couple left for the Laurentians by car. The ceremony was conducted in St. George’s Anglican Church by Archdeacon Gower-Rees. R.O. Johnson, Montreal businessman, gave the bride away and A.W. O’Brien of the Montreal Standard acted as best man.’
It was a simple ceremony, with no guests. George had asked Andy O’Brien, who he had first met while in London, to act as his best man, although the two were not that well acquainted. Meanwhile, his bride was given away by a friend of the family, a Mr. R.O. Johnson. The couple honeymooned at the Sainte-Adele Lodge, a high-class accommodation in the ski village of Sainte-Adele. In a bizarre twist they transferred from this high-class opulent residence to a chalet owned by Marie Alfred Fouquereaux de Marigny. ‘Freddie’, as he was known, was a strange choice of acquaintances. He had been charged with the brutal murder of his father-in-law the year previously, but ‘got off’ due to the lack of evidence. Diana found him disturbing and eventually persuaded Beurling that they should leave, which they did a little ahead of Christmas.
The Festive Season was spent in a hired log cabin near Sainte-Marguerite, Quebec. The couple’s time here began well enough. They would spend their days in the nearby ski resort and in the Chalet Cochand. Louis Cochand, one of the owner’s sons, had been a Spitfire pilot and so the pair got on famously. Meanwhile, the family’s other son, Emile, was an accomplished skier and, like Beurling, loved nothing better than to go up into the neighbouring hills. This the pair did every day, spending hours away from the chalet, much to Diana’s annoyance.
Beurling would invite the brothers back to their log cabin. Diana later recalled that Beurling was a good
cook, something he had learned while living away from home and still trying to obtain his pilot’s licence. One of his favorite treats was paper-thin crepes with maple syrup.
Unfortunately, things soon began to deteriorate as Beurling began to spend less and less time in Diana’s company. He took to staying at the Chalet Cochand every evening until at least 10 pm, apparently telling Diana that he had an arrangement with the family, providing celebrity entertainment for the guests in exchange for an extended use of the lodge. But no such agreement existed. Instead, Beurling would sit chatting to other guests or with the Cochand brothers. Beurling was evidently finding the return to civilian life difficult. He had been unable to discuss his combat experiences with his friends, family or his new bride. He let slip something of his torment while talking with Emile:
‘This is the thumb that did it.’
He used to say, referring to firing the gun button.
One of the guests who Beurling used to talk to was a man called Oscar Straus, a department store executive with a business in New York. He was so taken by the young war hero that he gifted him a Buick. Naturally, Beurling was quick to test the car’s acceleration and push the needle off the dial. Diana recalled that on one occasion, while driving along the road that led to the lodge, Beurling spotted a plane flying on a parallel course. Whether the aviator knew it or not, he became the other player in a race. Beurling put his foot down hard and, according to Diana, pushed the Buick through the 100 mph barrier as they sped along the pass.
In March the couple left their rented cabin and moved to Mont-Tremblant, where Beurling hoped to improve his skiing on the more difficult slopes. It was here that their brief but already rocky marriage began to breakdown further. Diana was a competent skier, but the gulf between the two had gradually widened and so she was unable to join Beurling on the slopes. Consequently, he would spend more and more time away from her. Worse still, he was attracting the attention of single women, particularly at what had become his favourite haunt, a lodge known as Manoir Pinoteau. It was here that Beurling met an American girl, Vivian Stokes, with whom he began a plutonic relationship. Vivian’s father had passed away; her mother came from a wealthy banking family and had ensured the best education for her two daughters. The pair had been sent to Mont-Tremblant on holiday in the not-so-safe custody of their governess. Vivian had only five months earlier entered into an arranged marriage, which was proving very unhappy. Rebelling against her mother’s influence, Vivian was finding her feet.
She was bright, beautiful and full of life and fun. Perhaps in Vivian’s company, Beurling hoped to live out those lost years of his youth spent working to pay for his pilot’s licence and learning the ropes of becoming a pilot.
The time soon came for Vivian and her sister to leave Mont-Tremblant. Meanwhile, Beurling and Diana returned to Montreal in March 1945, taking a room at the Mount Royal Hotel. This had been pre-planned by Beurling as he was aware that Vivian had ‘connections’ there. Soon afterwards Diana was forced to have a heart-to-heart with Beurling, telling him that she believed they had made a big mistake and that the marriage was over. Whether she expected him to say he would reform his ways and pay her more attention is unclear, but he didn’t, instead accepting what he already knew to be true. Diana left Beurling and moved across country to Victoria. For the time being at least, she did not return to her parents in Vancouver. She visited Beurling in Montreal only to talk about their divorce.
Meanwhile, as planned, Vivian arrived to take up an apartment in the hotel maintained by a family friend. It should be said that Vivian later claimed she was totally unaware that when she had been dating Beurling, he had only just married and was honeymooning with his new bride.
On 18 April Beurling’s world was turned upside down when his cousin, David Murphy1, was killed in action while serving with 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s) RCIC. David’s unit had landed in northern France in mid-July, fighting their way across north-western Europe. Murphy had been awarded the Military Medal, ‘for gallantry in the field.’ He served in some of the fiercest actions, including those at Falaise, Falaise Road, St. Lambert-sur-Dives, the Seine, Moerbrugge, the Scheldt, Breskens Pocket, the Lower Maas, Kapelsche Veer, the Hochwald, Veen, Friesoythe, and Küsten Canal. It was during the latter battle, fought between 17-24 April, that he was killed-in-action.
On learning the news of his cousin’s death, Beurling immediately said his goodbyes to Vivian and travelled back to Verdun to be with his aunt, with whom he stayed for some time. Dorothy later recalled her nephew comforting her by talking poetically about flying at high altitude away from the tethers of the earth. He spoke of the colours in the stratosphere, painting a picture of heaven:
‘When you fly through them, they’re pink and red and blue. It is quiet, soft, and peaceful. That’s where David is.’
Dolly never forgot her young nephew’s words and the compassion and support he showed towards her when she needed it most. He had loved his cousin and boyhood friend and was deeply affected by his loss.
Dolly Murphy recalled that Beurling2 had become troubled by his own war experiences, suffering from nightmares and having difficulty sleeping. Beurling’s combat fatigue had been touched upon in interviews by other members of his family, but all refused to be drawn on the subject.
In response to David’s death, Beurling tried to re-enlist into the RCAF on 25 May, in order to fight against the Japanese Imperial Air Force, but ultimately this was turned down. His efforts to serve with the Chinese National Air Force fared little better. Beurling was advised that his application had been turned down on 12 June, the ace also failing to get into the USAAF.
With his money running out, Beurling took on his first post-service job in October 1945, working as a life assurance underwriter for the Sun Life Assurance Company in Montreal. For Beurling, this was as far removed from being a fighter pilot as possible.
Beurling eventually resigned his position at the St James Street branch just after Christmas that year, on 27 December. Despite his eloquence, winning smile and natural charisma, he had failed to sign up a single policy holder in his two months of employment.
Beurling hadn’t been idle, and had used the time to contact every aviation company in the country, looking for work. Unfortunately, in the immediate postwar era, there was a glut of trained pilots. Naturally most transport and other companies preferred to employ a multi-engine pilot over a single-engine fighter pilot, especially one with a reputation as a dare-devil and who had left the Forces as a result of alleged low-flying incidents.
Later, between May and October 1947, Beurling got a job as a flying instructor with Sherbrooke Airways, Sherbrooke Valley, Quebec. With money he saved during this venture, he purchased a Tiger Moth (CF-BSX) from the Cape Brereton Flying Club, Nova Scotia, for $1,000. Now with his own aircraft, Beurling earned additional money taking the public up on joy-rides. His past once again worked against him, and Beurling had to get his 10-year-old brother, David, to pose as a customer to help him sell five-dollar flights.
Beurling received a warning shot across the bows when he was investigated by the Department of Transport for ‘taking passengers for hire’ without a licence, although the case was dropped for lack of properly documented evidence.
His scrapes with the air authorities didn’t end there. It was alleged that he continued flying with Sherbrooke Airways while his pilot’s licence had expired, as well as disobeying regulations and flying in poor visibility.
Beurling also used his Tiger Moth for good old fashioned barnstorming. Like the professional he was, Beurling always made his performances look as though they were made up on the spur of the moment, but nothing could be further from the truth. In later years David recalled how precise his older brother was in planning these events. Beurling meticulously measured in the positions of all of the static obstacles which formed a part of his displays, carefully calculating his manoeuvres to thrill his audience.
D
iana met up with Beurling in Montreal, where they saw a movie and dined out. She had come to make arrangements for an amicable divorce, which in those days had to be conducted via the Senate of Canada.
Later that year Beurling was once again in the company of Vivian Stokes, who was also in the throws of getting a divorce. They had kept in close touch over the previous months and as a romantic gesture, Beurling hired a lakeside cabin to where he flew Vivian for a quiet week together.
And so Beurling was once again to be found mixing in the company of both his wife and Vivian, who by then had become his lover. He would hang out at his favourite bars and clubs in Montreal, drinking only soft drinks, for despite being tee total, he still remained the man about town.
Beurling’s post-war years were unsettled times and he rarely stayed in one place for more than a few months. According to his uncle, Gus Beurling, he barnstormed across Canada, undertaking occasional bush flying jobs when he could find them.
On 31 January 1948, Beurling was in the papers again when the Canadian press broke the story that Diana Beurling had finally been able to begin divorce proceedings:
‘Senate records today disclosed that the wife of George (Buzz) Beurling is seeking a divorce from the former ace.
‘A native of Vancouver, now living in Westmount, Que., and doing stenographic work, Mrs. Beurling has petitioned for a divorce from the pilot. A Senate committee on divorce will deal with the case. The petition for divorce charges him with adultery.’
In spring 1948, Beurling found the new war he had been looking for; the struggle to form the state of Israel. Beurling made contact with Ben Dunkelman, the Jewish agent in Montreal responsible for recruiting air crew. Perhaps understandably there were initially concerns raised about Beurling’s commitment to the cause, something he was able to alley by affirming his sincerity through Biblical teachings. Dunkelman later remarked:
