Operation Manna: Part 2 – Who was Harvey Gottfried?

Following up on Operation Manna – Part 1, we take at a look at a local young man who played a role in the operation.

Now, who was Harvey Gottfried?

Harvey was born in Port Elgin on November 28, 1917. His parents were Jacob Samuel Gottfried and Margaret (Maggie) Karcher who had married in Walkerton in 1913. Jacob worked as a baker in Port Elgin where they started the family.

When Harvey arrived the couple already had a daughter Mildred and a son Norval. In 1920, the family had a tragedy. On January 29, 1920, Maggie gave birth to another son who they named Stewart. Sadly, it was a very difficult birth and she died shortly after, on February 11th.

                            (L) Harvey, Stewart, father Jacob and Norval Gottfried

Her sister Mary Ann had married Joseph Thede and they raised baby Stewart. The three older children remained with their father, Jacob.

On April 27, 1921, Jacob married Marion Magdelena Gibbons in Southampton. Shortly after their marriage the family moved to the Kitchener area and six additional children joined them over the next 11 years.

After WWII started, in Europe, Harvey enlisted in the Air Force and was accepted into Air Crew to train as a Navigator. Following training, he shipped out to England and was assigned to the Royal Air Force as a Lancaster Bomber Navigator. He crewed up with a group that included 5 Canadians, I British and 1 Australian.

The Lancaster crew of seven included the pilot, flight engineer, navigator, bomb-aimer, wireless operator, mid-gunner and rear gunner. Together, Harvey and his crew members flew 30 bombing missions over Germany which was a “full” tour of duty”. In all, there were 7,337 Lancaster Bombers built that participated in WWII. There is no question that his aircraft was superior to all other bombers and contributed in a significant way in bringing about the war’s end.

The role that Harvey and the crew of “M for Mabel” played in the food drop in the Netherlands was an extra flight over and above the official 30 flight full tour of duty considered the maximum allowed.

While he was enlisted Harvey met a young lady who had also enlisted.

When Harvey arrived home, he took up residence in the Toronto Area and started his work career. He also had stayed in touch with his new lady friend and in 1949 he married Moretta Mary Brown of Port Hope.

In 1952, they immigrated to the USA and started a new life there, first in Ohio but later they lived in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. They had one son named Skip who today continues to live in the USA.

Moretta died in 2002 and Harvey passed away in 2004. They both were laid to rest in Port Hope, Ontario.

Thanks to a niece of Harvey Gottrfied, Marion Koepke, Owen Sound City Councilor, and a Southampton lady, I got to watch a film documentary titled “Bomber Boys” with Ewan MacGregor that depicts the role that the Lancaster Bomber played in WWII. In the ending scene, there is one of the two remaining Lancaster Bombers landing and the crew consists of descendants of the members of “M for Mabel”. Harvey’s grandson, Skip’s son, was included in the staged crew.

What a wonderful tribute.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Researched and written by: G. William Streeter

With Thanks to:
Marion Koepke
Skip Gottfried
Ted Barris – Author of Days of Victory