A Tribute to Pilot Officer C.V Soderstom and 434 Squadron 

On the 17^th of June 1944, my uncle, Sgt Clarence V. Soderstrom perished in the crash of a bomber in the Netherlands. His parents never fully knew of the events surrounding their son’s death, only that the aircraft was involved in combat with a German fighter and six crewmembers survived. Questions remained unanswered regarding the happenings of that tragic night; the body having never been positively identified. Sadly, a chapter closed on the oldest brother of six siblings without his parents being able to put closure on the event.

My grandparents passed away in the 1970’s. Over the past twenty-five years at family reunions my aunts, uncles and father would briefly mention that ‘Clair’ had been a belly gunner in a Lancaster bomber but the discussion was over as quickly as it had started.

In 2002, fifty-eight years after my uncle’s death, curiosity led me on a journey piecing together his life, RCAF service, and circumstances of his death at twenty-one years of age. I came by the information by inquiring on web sites, to the National archives in Canada and overseas and by corresponding with historians and fellow amateurs. Digging deeper with my research, I unraveled a story of bravery and discovered the terror of "Night Bombing Operations" experienced by my uncle and all aircrews.

It is now February 2004. I have found many answers and have solved the mystery of my Uncle Clarence’s death. Most importantly, I located Mr. Mike Laffin, the man who was piloting the bomber on that fateful night, and who is now living in Nova Scotia. Without his assistance, this research would surely have been more difficult, if not impossible.

This site is a tribute to my uncle and to all service men and women. Their sacrifice was not in vain.

-Alan Soderstrom

                   A bombercrew.com Tribute