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Aviation History
1940
1940 - 2371.PDF
AUGUST 22, 1940 155 SERVICE AVIATION Royal Air Force Awards and Official Announcements V.C. Awarded rpiIE KING has been graciously pleased to conferJL the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery :Act. Fit. Lt. K. A. B. Learoyd. This officer, as fkst pilot of a Hanipden aircraft, has re-peatedly shown the highest conception of his duty and complete indifference to personal dangerin making attacks at the lowest altitudes regard- less of opposition. On the night of August 12th,1940, he was detailed to attack a special objective on the Dortmund-Ems canal. He had attackedthis objective on a prevails occasion, and was well aware of the risks entailed. To achievesuccess it was necessary to approach from a direction well known to the enemy, through alane of especially disposed anti-aircraft defences and in the face of the most intense point-blankfire from guns of all calibres. The reception o; the preceding aircraft might well have deterre ;the stoutest heart, all being hit and two lost Fit. Lt. Learoyd, nevertheless, made his attariat one hundred and fifty feet, his aircraft bein;; repeatedly hit and large pieces of the main planestorn away. He was almost blinded by the glare of many searchlights at close range, but pressedhome this attack with the greatest resolution and skill. He subsequently brought his wrecked air-craft home, and, as the landing flaps weTe in- opeiative and the undercarriage indicators out ofaction, waited for dawn in the vicinity of his aerodrome before landing, which he accomplishedwithout causing injury to his crew or further damage to the aircraft. The high courage, skilland determination which this officer has invari ably displayed on many occasions in the face of theenemy sets an example which is unsurpassed. Indian Air Force Expansion INDIA is establishing two new flying trainingschools and two centres for technical training to cope with the expansion of the Indian AirForce. Apart from sending pilots to England to servewith the R.A.F., it is intended that a reserve of 300 pilots and 2,000 mechanics shall be built upfor their own air arm. Recruiting keenness ig such that no fewer than 18,000 applications werereceived for 350 vacancies. French Air ForceT HE fighter aircraft, mostly of American origin,which were flown here by their French pilots at the time of the capitulation by the Petain Gov-ernment, have now been repaired. They will now belong to No. 1 Fighter Training Squadron ofGen. de Gaulle's army and will be flown by the French pilots who are being retrained ready foraction. Awards 'T'HE King has been graciously pleased to approve-*- the following award* for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air opera-tions : — SECOND BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER.Wing Cdr. Basil Edward Embry, D.S.O.. A.F.C. During tta cperationr over the Low Countriesand France, /V'ing Cdr. Embry continued to dis- play an extremely high standard of leadershipand resolution in carrying out all the tasks allotted to his squadron, raising its morale to ahigh level aad ee'ting an example to the other squadrons in his group; He has shown a highsense of duty aui determination. BAR TC THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.Act. Fit. Lt. A. H. Boyd. This flight com- mander has been actively engaged in flying opera-tions against the enemy since the commencement of hostilities. By fine leadership and dauntlessspirit he has enabled his flight to destroy a large number of enemy aircraft of which he has himselfsnot down, or severely damaged, at least twelve. Act. Fit. Lt. R. G. Dutton. This officer hasled patiols with conspicuous success and has personally destroyed at least 12 enemy aircraft.j aa displayed splendid qualities of leadership »na couiiige, with a complete disregard for hisown safety. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.Wmg ,;dr. John Goodenough Elton. A.F.C., win. Ldr. Jack Cuthbert Larking, Sqn. Ldr.Anthony DuLierton Selway. READY TO PUT THE MESS IN MESSERSCHMITT: Any enemy fighter attackingthese five Blackburn Rocs of the Fleet Air Arm is up against the concentrated fire of twenty Browning guns in power-operated turrets, a fire power of 24,000 rounds per minute. Fit. Lt. C. D. Griffiths; F/O G. P. Christie;F/O. C. T. V. Craxton; F/O. E. Holden; P/O. J. MacG. Talman.Sqn. Ldr. G. B. Keily, A.F.C. On 28lh July, 1940, Squadron Leader Keily was the pilot of anaircraft detailed to carry out a special recon- naissance over Libya. The leeonnaissance had tobe carried out at a low altitude owing to clouds, lie was attacked by rive enemy aircraft but, dis-playing great skill, he destroyed one of them. During the engagement the air observer was hitby a bullet. Notwithstanding the handicap of having the air observer's body leaning against him.Squadron Leader Keily continued with the recon- naissance, returning with information nf greatvalue. He has invariably displayed exceptional leadership, cuurage, and devotion to duty. DISTINGUISHED FLYING .MEDAL. Fit. Sgt. F. G. Berry. In June, 1940, whilstleading a section on patrol over Saint Nazaire to cover the embarkation of the British ExpeditionaryForce, Sgt. Berry attacked and shot down an enemy bomber about to make an attack on oneof the troopships. Sgt. Berry has on many occa- sions led his section, and often his flight, incombat against the enemy with success. He has displayed exceptional qualities as a leader. Sgt. A. V. Clowes. Sgt. Clowes has displayedcourage and determination in many combats against the enemy. He has destroyed at least sixenemy aircraft. In June, 1940, he led his section in combat against five Messerschmitt 109's anddestroyed one. He then observed, above him, three further enemy aircraft and, before theycould attack his flight, he engaged them. He succeeded in damaging one and in causing theother two to disperse in the clouds. He has dis- played great skill and power of leadership. Sgt. R. H. Burrows; LA/C. R. J. Utterklge. Prisoners of War THIS is the-latest list of ft.A.F. prisoners inenemy hands received from German sources.Sgt. J Fiske, Brentwood, Essex; Sgt. L. Aseombe, Leeds, 12; P/O. D. Dakarness. Battersea. S.W.ll ;P/6. L. M. J. Lewis, Chic'bester, Sussex; Sgt. S. Fieldhouse, Hull; Fit. Lt. E. C. S. Pntrell, Farn-ham Common, Bucks: Sgt. E. V. Gorweth. Win- chester, Hants; Sgt. K. B. Wood, Oldham, Lanes; Sgt. P. R. Donaldson, London, S.W.7; Sgt. J. P.Atkinson, 149, Goddard Avenue (no further address given); Fit. Lt. E. A. French-Mulland,c/o Air Ministry, London; L.A/C. A. G. W Millar, Rutherglen, Glasgow; P/O. W. A. Carr,Eastleigh, Somerset; P/O. J. P. North Lewis, Burford, Oxford; Sgt. G. A. Allison, Oulton Broad,Norfolk; Sgt. C. C. G. Hawkins, Wembley, Middx.; Sgt. H. W. J. Smith, Nr. Rochester, Kent; Sgt.A. Avory, Sheffield; Sgt. Adams, address not known (wounded); Sgt. G. J. W. Gribbs, Putney,S.W.15; Sgt. T. Johnson, address not known (wounded). Roll of Honour Am MINISTRY CASUALTY COMMUNIQUE NO. 42.T HE Air Ministry regrets to announce the fol-lowing casualties on various dates. The next of kin have been informed. KILLED IN ACTION (WHILE FLVING IN OPERA- TIONS AGAINST THE ENEMY).—Sgt. J J Barry518370; Sgt. F. W. Eley, 745677; Sgt. (i. J Harnden. 751159; Sgt. C. J. Holland 745631;Sjrt. P. E. Johnson. 5503B4; Sgt. L. Land, 623762; Sgt. B. C. Long, 580616; L.A/C. A. Mackintosh,520842; F/O. B. E. Moss. 72027; P/O. W A C Mulloy, D.F.C.. 40636; Cpl. G. Niven. 566120;Sgt, T. J. Radley, 646336; Sqn. Ldr. II C. Sawyer, 33144; Sgt. C. J. Shewry. 550468; Sat. S. Smith,623798; P/O. T. N. Taylor. 77205; Fit. Sgt. S. P. Tomley, 565434; Sgt, G. R. Watt, 522273; Sgt.A. G. Willis. 568341. PREVIOUSLY REPORTED " MISSING, BELIEVED KILLED," NOW PRESUMED " KILLED IN ACTION."—Sgt. J. II. Hanne, 564212; A/C.l. E. Vick, 540323; Act. Sgt. G. L. Williams. 524733: Fit.Lt. A. N. Wilson, 90300. PREVIOUSLY REPORTED " MISSING, ' Now PRE SUMED " KILLED IN ACTION. "—P/O. A. Barkley,41246; P/O. J. B. Beer, 41364; A.C.2. D. J. Drury, 625339; A/C.l. T. Finnigan, ' 547574;A/C.2. A. Hinchliffe, 610120: Act. Sgt. IV. II. C. Kidd. 563851; P/O- R. C. Lloyd. 41594; A/C.2.W. T. Lowey, 619235; P/O. A. .1 MacdonaUi. 36176- L.A/C. A. J. Mantle, 521552; L.A/C.R. S. Morton, 551834; Sgt. J. Morrice. 58O2SO; Cpl. D. Turner, 526986; Sgt. II. R. B. Wakeham,563597.
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