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Aviation History
1941
1941 - 0968.PDF
304 ervice APRIL 24m 1941. POLISH-AMERICAN REVIEW : Mr. Anthony Biddle, American Ambassador to Poland, inspecting a Polish fighter squadron of the R.A.F. New Status of W.A.A.F, IN answer to a Question iu the House of (Jemmona lecently, Captain Balfour, Under Secre-tary of State for Air, stated that the Women s Auxiliary Air Force will be given full Air I'orccStatus He also revealed that it is proposed to increase considerably the strength of the Force.Since its introduction as a separate body in June 1939, the W.A.A.F. has steadily expandedboth in numbers, and in the scope of its duties. From only a few trades, mainly of the domestickinds, the activities of the W.A.A.F. now include more than » dozen technical and semi-technicaltrades, as well as such work as cooking, sick room attendance aud driving Awards THE KING has been graciously pleased toapprove the following awards in recognitionof gallantry displayed in ttying operations against the enemy. The number after each name indi-cates tha squadron with which the recipient is serving :— SECOND BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.Act. Sqn. Ldr. H. R. S. TUCK. D.S.O., D.F.C.- No. 257.—This officer has displayed conspicuousgallantry and initiative .a searching for and attacking enemy raiders, often in adverse weatherconditions. Since December, 1940, he has destroyed three enemy bombera and one fighter, thus bringing his total victories to twenty-two. DISTINGUISHED FlVINQ CROSS Act. Sqn. Ldr. K. O. BUBT-R.A.F.V.R. No. 82.—In March, 1941, this officer was detailed to carry cut an operational sweep over the Ems Estuary.Sighting an enemy patrol vessel, Sqn. Ldr. Burt immediately attacked and, in the face of heavy»mi accurate anti-aircraft fire, dropped his bombs and machine-gunned the ship from a height of only500 feet. Although the controls of his aircraft were severely damaged, and the hydraulic gear ren-dered usrtess, Sqn. Ldr. Burt flew safely back to base and made a successful landing without sus-taining damage or injury to the crew. He has completed numerous operational missions and hasat all times set a splendid example of courage and determination. F/O. R. 'A. CHISHOLM-A.A.F, No. 6O4.-Thisofficer has completed many hours operational flying at night. lie has at all times shown the greatestkeenness and determination to seek and destroy the enemy and, during one night in March, 1941,lie succeeded in destroying two Heinkel Ills. P/O. D O. Mlt.LiNO—R.A.F.V.R.. No. 242—Thisofficer ha3 participated in numerous engagements against the enemy over a long period and has= hown a fine spirit throughout. On one occasion he pursued a Junkers 88 ont to sea and, althoughhis aircraft was severely damaged by a cannon pliell early in the pursuit, he continued his attackuntil the enemy aircraft was on fire and dis- appeared into floiKl 40 miles nut at sea. Ho hasdisplayed great courage and initiative, and has destroyed at least foirr enemy aircraft. P,'O THE HON. B. I) GEIMSTON-R.A.F.V.R.,No. 149.-One night in March 1941. this officer was detailed to attack targets at Bremen. Beforereaching his objective he was attacked by a Messcr schmitt 110 while, held in the beams of a largenumber of searchlights. P/O. Grimston, with great skill, resisted the attacker, which was even-tually driven off He then flew on to his target and carried out B successful attack in the face ofintense anti aircrait fire. He has at all times shown exceptional gallantry and a keen determina-tion to complete his mission regardless of the opposition. P/O A. .1. HODGKINSON No. isl9.—This officerhas carried out numerous operational flights. He has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft, ofwhich two were destroyed at night. His eagerness to seek and destroy the enemy at night has set asplendid example lo his fellow-pilots P/O I. R. STEPHENS, R.A.F.V.R. NO 38—One night in March. 1941, this officer was detailed to attack a large concentration of enemyaircraft on the aerodrome of El Makina Owing to ground mist the location of the aerodromewas very difficult to find. and. after search- ing for two hours. Pilot. Officer Stephens had todescend to five hundred feet before identifying the target. He pressed home his attack from a heightof one thousand feet in spite of heavy anti-air- craft and machine-gun fire, and destroyed fiveenemy aircraft and damaged others. This officer displayed great courage and set a magnificentexample of leadership a.nd devotion lo duty P/O. O A DENBY. R.A.F.V.R., No 600. Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm News and Announcements — One night in February, 1941, whilst on patrol'this officer sighted a Heinkel 111 flyiug across his bows, and by determined and accurate attackshe shot it down. Previously he has attacked and probably destroyed two other hostile air-craft at night. Pilot Officer Denby has taken part in numerous operational night flights, oftenin bad weather, and his zeal and initiative in these duties have been an inspiration to all. P/O. R. A. ESLEB, R.A.F. V.R., No I49.—One n ight in March, 194 L, this officer was the observer of an aircraft, detailed to attackthe German cruisers Scharnhorst and Gncixctwu in the harbour at Brest. In view of t heextreme darkness he was not able clearly u> identify the ships, although he could pick oiit^f^position where they were reported to be. After searching lor some time, in the face of intenseanti-aircraft and searchlight activity, he directed his pilot to run in at 8,500 feet, from whichheight he dropped a stick of bombs and made a reconnaissance. Determined to obtain proo! thatthe ships were there he repeated this operation twice from altitudes ol 8,500 and 7,000 feet, andthis prool was obtained. On other occasions this officer obtained first-class bombing results onVenice, Cologne, Bremen and Wilhelmshaven, The success ,of these missions was due to his greatcoo!ness, perseverance and courage. Act. Sqn. Ldr. C. P. GREEN, A.A.F., No. 91.This officer has shown marked powers of command, organisation and initiative. He haspersonally led a great number of sorties, aDti on several occasions his fine fighting spirit has ledto the destruction of the enemy. He has per- sonally destroyed at least two enemy aircraft, andhis devotion to duty has contributed largely to the outstanding success of his squadron.F/O. F. D. HUGHES, R.A.F.V.R., No. 264 Sqn. DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. Sgt. F. GASH, NO. 264.—Flying Officer Hughesand Sergeant Gash as pilot and air-gunner re- spectively have participated in numerous engage-ments against the enemy, both by day and night, During these fights four enemy aircraft havebeen destroyed, of which two were shot down at night. Sgt. B. J. JENNINGS. NO. 19.—Sergeant Jen-nings has destroyed two enemy aircraft, and has probably destroyed six others. The higher numberof probable victories is due to this airman s un- selfish conduct in continuing his action ajra i nstthe enemy, often in the protection of other mem- bers of his squadron, rather than attempting toconfirm his probable victories. He has led a section of his squadron most capably, and has atall times displayed the utmost tenacity and deter mination to engage the enemy. . . . THE KING has been praciously pleased toapprove the following awards : — GEORGE MEDAL.Act. Fit. Lt. J. W, SIM, R.A.F V.R.—This officer has shown keen devotion to duty and ha* cour-ageously dealt with unexploded bombs. As he lacked special training and experience in deal-ing with bombs, he displayed outstanding courage and initiative.Act. Sgt. S. BOYS.—This airman is in charge of the station fire tender. During a night in Sep-tember, 1940. he was ordered to proeeeiWJ^J aircrait which had crashed in flames. Athe aircraft was known to be loaded with and enemy aircraft were overhead, this airman GOOD SHOOTING : Sqn. Ldr. R. R. Stanford-Tuck, D.S.O,, D.F.C. and Bar has now been awarded a second Bar to the D.F.C. The niiniatur£ swastika^ indicate his victories. ' T \
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