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Aviation History
1941
1941 - 0691.PDF
MARCH 2OTH, 1941. ervice , 229 Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm News and Announcements Air Vice-Marshal Breese IT is with regret we have to record the death,in a flying accident, of Air Vice-Marshal C. D. Breese, C.B., A.F.C.Born at Carshalton, Surrey, in 1889 and edu- cated at the Royal Naval Engineering College,Keyham. and the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, he wa? commissioned in the Royal Navy in 1909.Turning his interest to the air, he received his wings in 1913 and served as an instructor intheory and construction at the C.F.S. At the outbreak of war in 1914 hfe was a flight lieutenantin the R.N.A.S., with which he served in France, and was later awarded the A F.C. for his services.In 1918, after the amalgamation of the air services, lie became a lieutenant colonel and wasappointed Deputy Director of Training at the Air Ministry. When peace came in 1918 he wasgranted a p.c. in the. rank of wing commander, and after service at home and in India lie waspromoted to group captain in 1928. From 1930 to 1932 lie was in Iraq, and it was for his workduring the operations in Kurdistan that he was awarded the C.B. Sparks and Physics THERE are_ openings in the Women';; Auxiliary• Air Force at present for women of goodeducation as radio operators. Some knowledge o! physics would be an advantage, and candidateswho have taken the Intermediate B Sc. would be welcome*! if suitable in other respects. Womenof the right stamp would find the work congenial. They should have alert minds, be self-reliant andnot liable to be flurried Their duties would be of a confidential nature. Applicants must bebetween 18 and 35. They must be prepared to serve anywhere, at home or abroad. There willbe good opportunities for promotion. Training Speed-up ACCORDING to Mr. J. 8. Duncan, Deputy AirMinister of Canada, the Empire Air Training Scheme is six months ahead cf schedule. It wiltbe remembered that the scheme is a co-operative Empire effort providing for the training ot 20,000pilots and 30,000 air crews a year. "Peak figures -e t.o have been reached by spring. 1942. A":arge number of trained personnel arrived in England recently. Coming Events . . . IN a report to the American Society of Photo-grammetry Dr. Walter Clark, of the East-man Kodak Company, remarked that "colour photography will be a distinct aid in spottingtroops, gun emplacements, munition dumps and other military objectives which are practically in-visible in ordinary black-and-white photographs." Dr. Clark is an authority on the subject. Awards THE KING has been graciously pleased toapprove the following awards in recognitionof gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations. The number after each naaieindicates the squad:on with which the recipient is serving : — DISTINGUISHED SERVICL OBDEE.Fit. Lt. Eric Clive LE MESURIER D.F.C. Act. Sqn. Ldr. 1J, C. HlCKARU. D.F.C.-.No. 311(Czechl. SECOND BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.*H. Lt. Alistair Lennox TAYLOR, D.F.C. BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. Act. Fit. Lt. D. A. P. MCMTJLLEN. D.F.C.—No. 151.F/O. J. J. O'MEARA, D.F.C., No. 91 Squadron. — This officer has performed excellent work, as a*A fighter pilot in the many and varied missions ^ which have been allotted to him. On a recent' occasion he led an offensive operation which ex- tended as far as Holland, and in which troopsand a gun-post were machine-gunned; an armed ship was also attacked. F/O. O'Meara has nowdestroyed at least eleven enemy aircraft. He has set an excellent example. TRAINER CONVERSION : Airspeed Oxford ambulances above the clouds. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. Act. Wing Cdr. S. C. ELWORTHV, A.F.C.—NO. 82.Sqn. Ldr. W. R. FARLEY—No. 419 Flight. Sqn. Ldr. Dudley George LEWIS.—No. 84.Sq-n. Ldr. Peter STEVENS.—No. 11. Act. Sqn. Ldr. Ned Charles HARDING.—NO. 58.Act. Sqn. Ldr. Frazer Apsley HARTK.—No. 107. Act. Sqn. Ldr. Ci. C. O. KEY. R.A.F.O.—NO. 105Act. Sqn. Ldr. Russel John OXLEY.—No. 50. Fit. Lt. Hugh James Walter BLACK. —No. 82.Fit. Lt. James Nigel Watts FARMER — NO. 302. Fit. Lt. John Seymour SHERWOOD.—No. 144.Lt. Johan Daniel Wilhelm HUMAN.—No. 40, South African Air Force. Act. Fit. Lt. S. W. B. HOWELL, R.A.F.V.R.-No. 49. F/O. G. L. CHESHIRE, D.S.O.. It.A.F.V.R.-No. 102. FROM FIGHTER TO FORTRESSES:Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding (left) examining auxiliary fuel tanksat the Boeing works during a recent visit. Sir Hugh, who last year wasA.O.C.-in-C. Fighter Command, is now on a special mission for th^Ministry of Aircraft JYoduction. P O. Kenneth Douglas BRANT. li.A.F.V.R.—No. 10.P/O. Allan BRIDSQN.—No. 10. P/O. Raymond Newport PEACE.—No. 102.P/O. Charles David RA8H.—No. 115. P/O. Peter Bettley ROBINSON.—No. 78.P/O. Irving Stanley SMITH.—No. 151. P/O. Vernon Richard SMITH.—No. 144. P/O. R. G. WHITEHEAD, R.A.F.V.R.—NO. 9. Wing Cdr. G. R. A. ELSMIE, NO. 114 Squadron.—At dusk, one day in February, 1941, this officer led a section of three aircraft on an attack onan objective at Den Helder. As the target area was small, the attack was carried out from a verylow level and, in spite of adverse weather and poor visibility, the main objective was successfullybombed, while two searchlights were extinguished by machine-gun flre. Texel aerodrome was afterwards machine-gunnedfrom a height of only 300 feet; a ship off Texel was also machine gunned Wing Cdr. Elsmie'scareful preparation for the flight, and his courage, and determination throughout, contributed largelyto the complete success of the operation. Act. Sqn. Ldr. E. G. JONES, NO. 80 Squadron.—In February, 1941, this officer was the leader of a formation of 27 aircraft which encountered anenemy force of 19 heavy bombers escorted by at least 30 fighters, in the neighbourhood of Himara,Albania Sqn. Ldr, Jones deployed his formation withgreat skill and, in the ensuing engagement, at least 27 of the enemy's force were shot down. Hehas led his squadron with great skill and success on most of the patrols carried out over theGreek front, displaying courage and determination throughout He has personally .destroyed sixenemy aircraft. Fit. Lt. R. N. CULLEN. No. 80 Squadron.—InFebruary, 1941, this officer was pilot ol one of a formation of aircraft which attacked a largeforce of enemy bombers escorted by at least 30 fighters. Displaying remarkable skill, Fit. Lt.Cullen shot down five of the enemy's aircraft in the ensuing action. He has now destroyed 11enemy aircraft and has consistently shown great resource and courage. F/O. G. E. WESTON, NO. 50 Squadron.—Onenight in February, 1941, F/O. West on was detailed to attack an enemy vessel lying in the dock atBrest. Owing to extreme darkness and exceptional seachlight and anti-aircraft opposition, great (lifficulty was encountered in locatiug Ihe target. Although his starboard engine failed, F/O. Westonpersisted in his search and, in the fscc of an increasingly heavy and accurate barrage, eventuallylocated his target and pressed home his attack with a full load of bombs. On the return journey, whiie ovei Ihe EnglishChannel his engine picked up but again failed. By skilful handling of his aircraft, however, hesucceeded in reaching his hasp where he landed safely. He displayed outstanding gallantry, skilland determination throughout P/O. .1. MILLS. -No." 115 Squadron. —In February.1941, this officer was the rear gunner of an air- craft engaged in a bombing operation over enemyoccupied territory. Whilst over the aerodrome a' Morlaix a Messerschmitt 110 was encountered, andP/O. Mills skilfully directed his pilot into an attacking position and then, with great coolne«sand skill, shot down the enemy aircraft. Since September, 1939t this officer has participated innnmerous operations and has displayed determina- tion and gallantry on all occasions. Sqn. Ldr. 3. if. LITTLE, No 219 Squadron.—This officer Vis commanded the squadron since Mtry-i l£a0±J*lIe has carried out numerous opera-tional rtiaJR* by night, and on one occasion he succeedejirin shooting down a Dornier 17. His ex-
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