Flying Desert Rat: The Combat Career of Squadron Leader Bert Houle

Authors

Christopher Evans, Wilfrid Laurier UniversityFollow

Abstract

Albert Houle is a Canadian whose war, while not totally unique for a Canadian fighter pilot in World War Two, was certainly far from the norm. His entire combat career was fought in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. His first tour was with the Royal Air Force and his second with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Similar to another Canadian ace George Beurling, Houle's desire for combat and intemperate attitude to all those who stood in his way led to as many actions on the ground as in the air. Almost without exception, Houle viewed anyone not in combat or directly supporting it as so much administrative deadwood and this attitude would cost him on more than one occasion. However, unlike Beurling, Houle had the demeanour and desire to lead men in combat and bring them home again.

Recommended Citation

Evans, Christopher "Flying Desert Rat: The Combat Career of Squadron Leader Bert Houle." Canadian Military History 7, 1 (1998)