Fight To The End!
Many of Baron Byng’s graduates interrupted their studies and career plans to serve in World War II. Among them was Sydney Shulemson (BBHS ’32), pictured below (number 3, front row) who was actually the most decorated Canadian Jewish serviceman. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) Medal in 1943 when he attacked a convoy of enemy merchant ships and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Medal in 1944. The award recognized his contagious leadership and his many unfailing aerial feats
“The most brilliant feat in the annals of RCAF air sorties took place on June 6, 1944. Number 404 gave F/O S.S. Shulemson command of a squadron of 14 R.P. ‘Beaus’, 25 RAF Beaufighters and Mosquito escorts. Southwest of Belli Island (Bay of Biscay), three German destroyers were trying at all costs to reach the Allied invasion zone. Slipping away in front of the late afternoon sun, the squadron surprised the German convoy which it bombed and left in flames.” (According to Larry Milberry, Sixty years: The RCAF and CF air Command 1924-1984, CANAV Books, 1984)
The Canadian Jewish Congress immortalized Shulemson’s exploits in Jewish War Heroes comic book series, published in 1944. He never rose above the rank of Flying Officer, which is very rare for a fighter pilot of his stature, with his skills and leadership qualities. It is believed that this was due to the fact that Shulemson was Jewish. He was nevertheless chosen to take command of an entire squadron of about 100 fighter jets, a responsibility that normally falls to a commander or captain, who is one or two ranks above the one he held in the hierarchy.
After the war, Shulemson and a few other graduates, including William Novick (BBHS ’40), played a key role in the creation of the Israeli Air Force in 1948. Novick, a pilot who flew 22 missions during the war, flew planes and weapons to Israel and helped build an airstrip in the Negev desert. A video interview with Novick depicts his memories of his service and role in the Israeli Air Force.
Other graduates who contributed to the war effort: Harry Blank (BBHS ’42) who, wounded in the war, became a lawyer upon his return to the country, then was elected to the Quebec Legislature for the district of Saint-Louis; Melvyn Dobrin (BBHS ’39), a sailor who ended up as president and CEO of the food chain; Jack Sibalis (BBHS ’39) who was taken prisoner of war and George Nashen (BBHS ’39). Lieutenant A. Sydney Tafler (BBHS ’34) who lost his life at the age of 28 on February 2, 1945, pictured on the left.
Sibalis, an observer-navigator, parachuted over Germany on August 2, 1943, as his plane crashed due to mechanical problems. He was captured two weeks later by the Germans and held for the duration of the war. His fascinating recollection of that time can be heard in his video interview. After the war ended he was contacted by the German soldier who captured him and they carried on a correspondence for many years.
Serving during WWII provided opportunities for many Baron Byng students that they would not otherwise have had. Veterans took advantage of their benefits to attend university upon their return becoming professionals of note in a variety of disciplines.
The Baron Byng Museum and Hall of Honor remembers and pays tribute to the twenty-nine Baron Byng alumni who made the ultimate sacrifice in the War, and to those who were decorated for their valiant efforts.
Baron Byng alumni who lost their lives in service are:
- Private Charles Robert Abelson
- Flight Sergeant Herman Backler
- Private Issie Bell
- Sergeant Moses Charton
- Warrant Officer Joseph Cosoff
- Gunner Issie Elias
- Private Sydney Garber
- Gunner Joseph Gertel
- Sergeant Louis Goldberg
- Corporal Harry Goldberg
- Flight Sergeant Mark Goldwater
- Acting Corporal Rueben Gorodetsky
- Private Joseph Haberman
- Corporal Benjamin Hockenstein
- Flying Officer Abe Ittkin
- Pilot Officer Aaron Avron Jacobs
- Sergeant Abraham Kirsch
- Leading Aircraftman Jack Kugelmass
- Sergeant Manuel Zack Lewis
- Flight Lieutenant John Joseph Marcus
- Warrant Officer Louis Nutik
- Pilot Officer Mortimer Regenstrief
- Aircraftman Hyman Revzen
- Private Abe Rochlin
- Leading Aircraftman Frank Schwartz
- Flying Officer Martin Shapiro
- Warrant Officer Joseph Shulman
- Flying Officer Sydney A. Tafler
- Flying Officer Daniel Titleman
Baron Byng Alumni who were decorated for their valiant service:
- Leading Aircraftsman Arthur N. Gutner (Mentioned in Dispatches, June, 1945)
- Yeoman of Signals Irving Jack Kaplan (Mentioned in Dispatches, twice, 1944)
- Guardsman Joseph Levitt (Military Medal, September, 1945
- Flying Officer William H. Novick (Distinguished Flying Cross, December, 1944)
- Flight-Lieutenant Lazar Peters (Distinguished Flying Cross, December, 1944)
- Flight-Lieutenant Sam Shernofsky (Mentioned in Dispatches, January, 1945)
- Flight-Lieutenant Sydney Simon Shulemson (Distinguished Service Order, February, 1943; Distinguished Flying Cross, 1944)