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Aviation History
1940
1940 - 1539.PDF
MAY 23. 1940 485 ADVANCED FORMATION : Miles Master advanced trainers (Rolls-Royce Kestrel XXX) in a commendable vie formation. The Master reproduces many of the characteristics of such machines as the Hurricane and Spitfire and with a more powerful engine would make a very useful first-line fighter. Timmerman immediately turned and gave chase, and, after firing lrom hisfront gun with great determination, shot the enemy down into the sea. In April he successfully attacked two enemy patrol vessels, destroying at leastone of them. This officer has displayed great, resource, determination and enthusiasm in carrying out special night operations, often under adverseweather conditions. WARNER, FLUNG OFFICER GERALD BEHNARDAs captain and pilot of his aircraft this officer displayed exceptional skill and courage when attacked by a superior number ot enemy aircraft. Hesutcessfully manoeuvred his aircraft, to afford the most effective use of the guns, and thus enabled his gunners to beat off the attack and destroy oneMesserschmitt 109. Another Messerschmitt 110 was severely damaged. F/O. Warner has at all times shown exceptional skill and coolness in face ofthe enemy. HILL, PILOT OFFICER ROBERT JASIES.During April P 0 Hill was the captain of. one of six aircraft which had been sent to attack enemy transports and shipping in Granvin Fjord. Whilereturning to his base, after completing his task, he encountered two Dormer 18 flying-boats, which he immediately attacked. One Doruier alighted onthe sea, and P/O Hill resumed the attack with his front gun, several bursts being seen to hit the fuselage. While he was continuing this attack thesecond Dornier attacked his aircraft but was beaten c>rl. and it eventually dived at the water, where its bows submerged. During this last phaseP/O. Hill was wounded in the face and hand, but throughout the engage- ment lie displayed great courage and initiative. 0RTON, FLYING OFFICER NEWELLDuring March this officer was the leader of a rear section in a patrol ot nine aircraft, and in that position was allotted the important task ofguarding the rear of the formation. While two enemv aircraft were being pursued into Germany he noticed other enemy aircraft at the left rear.After warning the leader of the formation, he proceeded with his section to attack the enemy, which prove 1 to be three Messerschmitt 109s, one ofwhich he shot down in flames. Later, during the same patrol, the formation again came into action with 12 enemy aircraft, and daring this engagementF/O Orion attacked a Messe.rschmitt 110 and, it is believed, destroyed it. This officer has displayed skill and determination in a number of previouscombats. '. . • _ CRAVEN, ACTING FLIGHT LIEUTENANT ROBERT EDWARD.This officer was" captain and pilot of a flving-boat which proceeded on a special journey 1o Norway in very bad weather in April. On arrival athi? destination he handled his air- craft with great, skill and gallantrvaini disembarked his passengers in the face of persistent enemy bombins attacks. The return journey was SHCeessfullj accomplished on the fol-lowing day in spite of adverse weather conditions. Fit. Lt. Craven displayedgreat determination, courage and per- «everance in carrying out this hazard-ous mission. JONES. PILOT OFFICER LAWRENCE LATHAM."'his officer was second pilot and navigator of a flying-boat engaged ona special journey to Norway in April Uuring the temporary absence of hiscaptain, after a landing had been made, P/O. Jones assumed commandana successfully manoeuvred his air- craft on the water to avoid the in-tense bombing attacks by enemy air- craft. Subsequently it became neces-sary to take off but he was attacked »y an enemy fighter shortly after-wards. By skilful tactics he brought His tail guns to bear and the enemywas shot down. GOOD, ACTING SQUADRON LEADEE DUNCAN CHARLES FREDERICK GARDINER, PILOT OFFICES WALTER. GEORCE. Sqn Ldr. Good and P/O. Gardiner were respectively pilot and navigatorof an aircraft engaged on special night reconnaissance early in May. When flying low over the objective, the aircraft was subjected to heavy anti-air-craft fire, one shell bursting in the pilot's cockpit, wounding Sqn. Ldr. Good and damaging the controls and instruments. Although severely wounded,the pilot completed his reconnaissance, manoeuvring his aircraft to avoid searchlights and anti-aircraft fire, but then collapsed from loss of blood.In the darkness, with the aircraft at a low altitude and still in the danger zone, P/O. Gardiner succeeded in extricating the wounded pilot from thecockpit. He brought the damaged aircraft, back across 450 miles of sea, making a perfect landfall and landing under difficult and harassing conditions. The King has been pleased to approve the following awards for gallantryand devotion to duty in the execution of air operations:- DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS SUTCLIFFE. SQUADRON LEADEE WALTER PHILIP. WHITWORTH. SQUADRON LEADF.R JOHN NICHOLAS HAWORTH. B1CKF0RD, ACTING FLIGHT LIEUTENANT RICHARD. PHILLIPS, ACTING FLIGHT LIEUTENANT ALLAN SMITH. TOMLIN. ACTING FLIGHT LIEUTENANT BRIAN STIRLING. LINGS, FLYING OFFICER GEORGF OLDFIELD. RAPHAEL. FLYING OFFICER GORDON LEARMOUTH. DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. BR1NN, SERGEANT WILLIAM GEORGE. McARTHTJR, SERGEANT WILLIAM COKDIL. WYNESS. SERGEANT ROBERT FRANCIS. RICHARDS. CORPORAL ALAN GLYNDER.These officers and N.C.O.s have made a large number of reconnaissance and bombing raids over enemy country and over enemy air and naval bases.One officer, compelled to land owing to shortage of petrol after a flight over Warsaw, found he was in Germany. Despite the smallness of thefield and petrol shortage he managed to take off again and save both aircraft and crew. Another officer pressed home a low bombing attack ORDERS : The FlightOperations Officer of a fighter squadron in his portable office.
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