FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1941
1941 - 1605.PDF
JULY 17TH, 1941. FLIGHT 39 JerviceAviation Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm. News and Announcements "Late Arrivals" Club A CLUB, exclusive as it is unique, has just beenformed in the Western Desert. It is called "The Late Arrivals Club" and the members are :\• small body ol fliers who have been shot down in action and have, through initiative &nd courage,managed to elude the enemy and gain the safety ol their own lines.The members include a D.S.C). arid many D.F.C.s. •There are one or two Free French eligible, and atleast three South Africans. Some members are doubly eligible having thwarted the enemy on morethan one occasion. The " Late Arrivals " sport a badge designed in blue and white enamel, andconsisting of a winged flying boot signifying that most members of the club have walked back from,behind the enemy lines. . • • . AwardsT HE King has been graciously pleased to approve. the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in Hying operations against the enemy : — BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER.Act. Wing Cdr. A. G. MALAN, D.S.O., D.F.C.- This officer has displayed the greatest courageand disdain of the enemy whilst leading his wing on numerous recent operations over NorthernTrance. His cool judgment, exceptional deter Biiuation and atility have enabled him to increasehis confirmed victories over enemy aircraft from 19 to 28, in addition to a further 20 damagedand probably destroyed. His record and behaviour have earned for him the greatest admiration anddevotion of his comrades in the wing. During the period of one fortnight recently thewing scored heavily against the enemy with 42 hostile aircraft destroyed, a further 15 probablydestroyed and 11 damaged. BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.Act. Sqii. Ldr. J. C. MUNGO-PARX, D.F.C., No. 74 Squadron (since reported missing).—Thisofficer has performed excellent work in his many engagements against the enemy and has destroyedat least twelve Of their aircraft. In June, 1941, he was attacked by six Messerschmitt 109's whileover the French coast. He succeeded in shooting down two of these, and, although his own aircrallwas badly damaged, Sqn. Ldr. Mungo-Park flew back to this country, making a skilful forcedlanding. His courage and leadership have contri buted materially to the successes achieved by hissquadron. P/O. W. VALE, D.F.C.. NO. 80 Squadron.—Following the evacuation operations from Greece, this officer remained at Maleme aerodrome witlisome members of his unit. In the course ol preliminary enemy air attacks on objectives inCrete, P/O. Vale proved himself to be a staunch pilot. Frequently against odds, he continued hisattacks against the enemy and destroyed four of their aircraft during an attack on the anchorageat Suda Bay. He displayed great courage and determination. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.Sqn. Ldr. J. RANKIN, NO. 92 Squadron.—Since March, 1941, this officer has led his squadron inoperations over the Straits and Northern France, in the course of which he has destroyed at leastnine enemy aircraft and also damaged one of their trawlers. He has displayed excellent qualities ofleadership and a high standard of courage which is reflected in the fact that recently, within thespace of twelve days, he has destroyed six enemy fighters. Two of these were shot down in flamesWithin one minute. He has been an inspiration ."to his fellow pilots. ~ Sqn. Ldr. J. It. WILSON, NO. 208 Squadron-This officer has commanded the squadron since December, 1940. During the advance in Libya,his unit provided full and most efficient co- operation with the army under extremely diffi-cult conditions. By his splendid example and leadership, Sqn. Ldr. Wilson contributed materiallyto the successes achieved in Libya, Greece and, latterly, in Syria. Act. Sqn. Ldr. P. H. ALINOTON, R.A.F.O., No. FLEET AIR ARM SILHOUETTE : A Walrus being hoisted inboard on H.M.S.- _,: „ ••, . . Suffolk at the end of a reconnaissance flight 230 Squadron.—This officer has acted as captainof a Sunderland aircraft since the outbreak of the war. In December, 1940, he assumed commandof the squadron and, by his outstanding ability and leadership, has set and maintained a highstandard of efficiency. He has carried out many long reconnaissances and, during the evacuationfrom Greece, displayed boundless energy in organis- ing the Sunderland detachment, and finally takinga refueller motor boat with several personnel from Aihctia to Crete via a port in the Pelo-ponnesus, where valuable work was carried out in ferrying personnel fo a destroyer.The voyage could only be carried out at night owing to enemy air activity, but, in spite of manydifficulties the passage to Suda Bay was safely accomplished. The arrival of the boat there even-tually made it possible for a valuable re-fuelling ship to sail for Egypt. Sqn. Ldr. Alington, thoughin an unfit state of health at the time, displayed great determination and devotion to duty through-out the operation. Act. Sqn, Ldr. L. G. SCHWAB, No. 112 Squadron.—This officer has led his squadron in combat against tile enemy with considerable skill and haspersonally destroyed eleven of their aircraft. He has displayed great courage and determination. Fit. Lt. A. S. B. BLOMFIELD, NO. 211 Squadron.—Throughout the many operational flights in which he has participated, this officer has dis-played courage and leadership ol a high order. He has led the squadron on many occasions. Act. Fit. Lt. A. FRAME, NO. 228 Squadron.—This officer has completed a large number of operation:*! missions since the war began On one HIS LUCKY DAY : The Captain ofthe Catalina who found the Bismarck after it had eluded the shadowing navalcraft. More than twenty hours elapsed between take-off and landing. occasion, operating Irons this country, he carriedout a patrol in search of five enemy ships which entailed a flight, lasting for thirteen and » halfhours. Since December, 1940, he has performed excellent work in the Mediterranean zone ofoperations. During the evacuation from Greece, Fit. Lt. Frame operated with great success anilwas responsible for (he sale evacuation of over 200 personnel by air. Throughout he has displayedgreat skill, courage and devotion to duty. F/O. .1. D. HismcE, R.A.F.V.f!., No. 609 Squadron.—This officer has led his flight and section with ^rcat skill and determination. lie has par-ticipated in a large number of operational flights against the enemy and has destroyed at least sixof their aircraft besides damaging many others He has set. a fine example. F/O. A. K OaiLVIE, No. 609 Squadron.—Thisofficer has displayed great keenness and determina lion in his efforts to seek ami destroy the enemyHe has shot down at least five hostile aircraft. Fit. Lt R. W. WIITTTOMK, It.A.F.V.I) , No. 202Squadron.—In June, 1941, Fit. Lt. Whittome wan the captain and Sgts. Mills, Tiirnbull and Whartonthe air gunners of a Catalina aircraft which, in the course of a convoy escort operation, wasattacked by four enemy aircraft. With great skill. Fit. Lt. Whittome manoeuvred his aircraft andenabled his air gunners <r> attack the enemy aircraft as they endeavoured to drop bombs on the convoy The enemy were finally compelled to break oflthe attack. Although his aircraft was damaged, Fit. Lt. Wliittome curried out his protective dutiesto a successful conclusion. He has completed 100 operational missions Rnd has always Bhown thegreatest efficiency and devotion to duty. Sgts Mills, Turnbull and Wharton displayed determined,courageous atid effective gunnery throughout. DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. Sgt, E. W. MILLS. Sgt. J. TtJRNBULL. Sgt. K.WIIARTON, all of No. 202 Squadron,—For citation see Fit. Lt. Whittome, above. A/O.l K. E. W. CLIFTON, No, 4 Service FlyinsTraining School.—In May, 1941, this airman was the air gunner of an aircraft engaged in a reconnaissanee flight over Rnnifldi in the course nf which (lie pilot was shot nnd fell across the controls..A/C. Clifton felt the aircraft lurch and looking forward saw the observer trying to regain controlHe immediately scrambled forward and. assisted by the observer, succeeded in removing the pilot fromhis seat. Although A/C. Clifton had not received any Hying training, he took over the controls andflew the aircraft back to his base where he accom plished a safe landing at the third attempt, without damage to the aircraft. This airman di* played great courage and resource. Roll of HonourT HE Air Ministry regrets to announce the tnl-lowing casualties on various dates. Tht* nest-of-kin have been informed. KILLED IN ACTION (WHILE FLYING IN OPEKA TIONS AGAINST THE ENEMY).—Sgt. C. J Barlon:Sgt. E. A. B Beadman; S«t. G. Billing; 8x' R. S. Bluckwcll; Set. R. W. Body; Sgt. .1. IIrhrsman; Sgt. .1. Cousins: Set. L. H Harrap; t>/O. S J. Hill; Sjrt. W. Innes; Sgt. K. MKelsall; R*t. R. F. Lyle: P/O. J R. Pertwec; F/O. N. W. Pinnington; Sgt. C .F. Ranson; I'/OR. L. Boberte-Brown; Sgt. D. Rolfe, Rgt. W. G Roper; P/O. K. II. Rowlands;; Sgt P 1) Sar-gent; Sgt. I). R. Simm: P/O. A. V Snelling: Sgt. J. B Stevens; Sgt. O. Stubbs; Sgt. L, S.Tinper; Sgt. J. S Tomkinson. PBEVIOUSLY REPOBTED MISSING. BELIEVED
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
