Born 4/04/1922 in Czechoslovakia.   The son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Karol Rakus of the Ridge Road near Blenheim, ON.  Brother of Louis P. A607224.

He enlisted in Hamilton 4 March, 1942 as a Airframe Mechanic. To Technical Training School, St. Thomas 29/04/42; promoted LAC 25/10/1942. He was posted overseas 25/01/1943. He was remustered to aircrew and qualified as a air-gunner 24/04/43 and Commissioned 9/10/44.   

Benny was reported as serving in 428 (Ghost) Squadron, 6 Group (Bombers) RCAF flying in a Lancaster bomber in December of 1944 over Germany.  While on a raid into Germany his aircraft was attacked by a German ME163, jet plane. According to the report in the (CDN 5/12/44) “ It looked like a ‘blot’ trailing vapor and moved faster than anything I have ever seen.  There was no time for fooling, we all knew at once it was him or us.” Benny had the very fast moving aircraft steady in his sights and opened fire with a burst of machine gun fire. His aim was accurate and the jet was seen plummeting to earth. Benny was 22 years old at the time and the ME163 was his sixth downing of an enemy aircraft since he arrived overseas in 1942. It is likely that Flt. Sgt. Rakus’ coolness in action was a prime reason for his commission to Pilot Officer.

An email from M. J. MacNeil the child of F/O Hal Walker, pilot of Bens’ aircraft recorded in his “Flight Log Book” that the jet was a ME163 and not a ME262 as first reported.

Serving on the same Lancaster as Flt. Sgt. Rakus was Flt. Sgt. Jack Burke of Erieau the two had been pals since their school days.

PO Rakus appeared in the CDN 1/06/45(P) headlined “Airman Badley Injured”. It was reported that PO Rakus of 428 Sqd. (Ghost)  was, along with 14 other Lancaster bombers had started for home. The had left their ‘drones’ for Cornwall and from there to the Azores and from there to an East Atlantic Coast airstrip, Ghost Squadron was the first to leave. There were no details on what happened to Benny’s aircraft nor what his condition was?

Award Presentation: In Hamilton, ON. 2 July, 1949. No citation other than “completed numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has]  invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.

DHist file 181.009 D.1941 (RG.24 Vol.20612) has recommendation dated 18 January 1945 when he had completed 30 sorties (203 hours 15 minutes), 25 August 1944 to 2 January 1945. Sortie list claims destruction of an Me.163, 4 November 1944 (Bochum). Pilot Officer Rakus has proved himself an outstanding member of a gallant crew. He has displayed great courage, coolness and determination throughout his tour.

On 4th November, 1944, while attacking Bochum, his aircraft was attacked by an enemy aircraft. With great coolness and courage Pilot Officer Rakus returned the fire and shot down the enemy aircraft. His tour of operations included a great many heavily defended targets and Pilot Officer Rakus proved of invaluable assistance to his pilot. His coolness and great ability created a high standard of morale in his crew and undoubtedly contributed to a major degree in the completion of their tour successfully. Report of combat: Lancaster “S” of No.428 Squadron, 4 November 1944, target Bochum. Time of engagement with enemy aircraft was 2001 hours, height 9,000 feet, heading 235, position 50 degrees 48 minutes North, 06 degrees 10 minutes East. Lancaster was on homeward trip. Weather described as slight cloud below, moon on starboard quarter and visibility good. Enemy searchlight activity was described as “slight”. Enemy aircraft identified as a Me.163, first reported by Wireless Operator, on port quarter, below and astern, although the attack was from “Starboard quarter Below”. Sergeant Rakus (rear gunner) reported he fired 400 rounds, commencing at 550 (the handwritten form does not specify if this is feet or yards – most likely yards) and ceasing at 500 (yards ?) – no stoppages. Enemy aircraft broke away “Below astern”, range “500”. Under the heading “Damage to fighter” he wrote, “Fighter burst into flames after opening burst. Crashed into deck and exploded.” The narrative for the engagement reads: “Enemy aircraft first seen by Wireless Operator on Port Quarter above at 1,200 who passed it on to Rear Gunner. Aircraft went over to starboard quarter below and closed in to 600 or less. Rear gunner gave evasion action, corkscrew starboard, then opened fire. Enemy aircraft was hit and burst into flames. At 500 rear gunner gave it a second burst and it was seen to gradually nose downward and crash onto the deck and explode. This was confirmed by his crew members. This aircraft is claimed as destroyed.

Serving on the same Lancaster as Flt. Sgt. Rakus was Flt. Sgt. Jack Burke of Erieau the two had been pals since their school days.

PO Rakus appeared in the CDN 1/06/45(P) headlined “Airman Badley Injured”. It was reported that PO Rakus of 428 Sqd. (Ghost)  was, along with 14 other Lancaster bombers had started for home. The had left their ‘drones’ for Cornwall and from there to the Azores and from there to an East Atlantic Coast airstrip, Ghost Squadron was the first to leave. There was no details on what happened to Benny’s aircraft nor what his condition was? 

F/O Rakus was repatriated 7 July,1945 and released 8 November, 1945. Served as a Personnel Officer in the RCAF 6 July, 1954 in Regina until 21 January, 1960 (service no. 226092.    

Benjamin died 29 January 2005 in Thorold, ON.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

F. Dutil, MVL, CDN(5), TBD-RH, BFL-B

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