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Aviation History
1941
1941 - 1792.PDF
82 FLIGHT AUGUST yiu, 1941. ervice viation Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm News and Announcements London Qazette OWING to the rate of growth of theRoyal Air Force and the consequent increase in the lists of appointments andpromotions, we have reluctantly decided to discontinue from now onwards publi-<ation of the quotations from the London Gazette. Publications of awards and thelioll of Honour will, of course, be con- tinued. Awards •. 'fUH, KING has been graciously pleased to ap-•*- prove the fallowing awards in recognition ol gallantry and devotion to duty in the executionof air operations :— BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER.Sqn. Ldr. .1. B. TAIT. D.S.O., D.F.C., No. 35 Squadron.—In June, 1941, this officer was thecaptain of the leading aircralt of a formation of three bombers which carried out an attack onKiel in clear daylight. Despite accurate anti- aircraft fire, bombs were dropped and observed toburst on the objective. The success which attended this operation was largely due to themagnificent leadership and courage, together with the brilliant airmanship, displayed by this officer. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDERWing Cdr. G. FRANCIS, D.F.O., No. 230 Squad- ron.—During the evacuation from Greece this officerdirected the operations of two flying boal squadrons which evacuated some 700 British personnel and anumber oi Greek and Yugo-Slav personalities. He personally aecomplished some noteworthy flightswhich, combined with his inspiring leadership, con- tributed largely to the success achieved. After Crete had been evacuated Wing Cdr. Fran-cis undertook a flight in an endeavour to establish contact with some British forces believed to beholding out in a certain locality there. This necessitated flying at. night off unfamiliar coast. Nevertheless, Wing Cdr. Francis skilfully pilotedhis aircraft to within five miles of his objective, when; he was forced to alight on the water owingto the rough sea. He taxied towards the coast and. while a boat, was being launched, the enemy openedfire with irfachine guns from short range. Wing Cdr. Francis subsequently took off and flew overthe coast, making signals and dropping messages. Throughout this hazardous and difficult operationhe showed great courage, skill and determination Hqn Ldr. E. A. WHITEUCT, NO. 69Sqii. Ldr. E. <J. JONES, D.F.C., No. 80. F/O. D. L. PRICHARD, R.A.F.V.R., No. 75(N.Z.) Squadron.—One night in June, 1941, this officer carried out an attack against Cologne.While some distance from his target and when on the edge of a dense belt of searchlights throughwhich he had just flown, F/O. Priefaard"s air- craft was attacked by an enemy fighter whichopened fire from very close range. A cannon shell damaged his engine—almost severing one of theairscrew blades—while the rear gun turret was completely put out of action. Although forced to fly at reduced speed withsubsequent loss of height and all powers of defence gone. F/O. Prichard continued his mission, over-coming almost insuperable difficulties before finally dropping his bombs in the target area.Despite a harassing return journey, he skilfully flew back to base, where he successfully crash-landed his aircraft without, injury to his crew. On a previous occasion, F/O. Prichard displayedgreat flying skill, which enabled his crew to shoot, down an enemy fighter which attacked his aircraftwhen returning from a successful attack on Brest. Throughout the numerous operational flights inwhich he has participated, this officer has dis- played high courage, skill and devotion to duty. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSSMajor J. T. DURRANT, 8.A.A.F. NO. 40. Act. Sqn. Ldr. D. A. ROBERTSON, NO. 217. Act Sqn. Ldr. P. R. WOODWARD, NO. 230.Fit. Lt D. G. E. BENnr, A.A.F. Nr. tU2. FJt. Lt. F. C. POWLES. Act. Fit Lt. B. DEAVEB. NO. 148. Act. Pit. Lt. D. 8. LINDSAY, NO. 201.F/O. R. A. ACWORTH, No. 112. - PARADE, 'SHUN 1 : The King recently visited Air Training Corps personnel who were in camp at a R.A.F. training depot and the boys of the A.T.C., seen springing smartly to attention as His Majesty inspected their lines, must have experienced a thrill of pride at the honour of a Royal visit. F/O. H. A. DALRYMPLE-WHITE, R.A.F.V.R.,No. 70. Act. F/O. W. D. CASTELLO. R.A.F.V.R., No. 57.P/O. H. R. BAILEY, R.A.F.V.R., No. 95. P/O J. C. Cox, R.A.F.V.R.. No. 211. P/O. P. GARRARD, NO. 59.P/O. C. H. HALL, R.A.F.V.R., No. 38. P/O. R. I. PERRY, NO. 113. P/O. D. A. TAYLOR. NO. 84. W/O. A. E. WHEELER, NO. 210. Sqn. Ldr. R. H. SPENCER, NO. 113 Squadran.-InJuno this officer led his squadron in successive low flying attacks against a force of 100 enemytanks which threatened our lines of communica- tion. His determined leadership when attackingproved oi great value to the ultimate success of the operations. Throughout the numerous mis-sions in which he has participated, both in the Western Desert and in Greece, Sqn. Ldr. Spencerhas displayed outstanding skill and determination. Fit. Lt. S. T. MEARES, NO. 611 Squadron.—Thisoffleei has consistently displayed enthusiasm and skill when leading his flight or hip squadron. Hehas carried out twenty-eight operations over enemy territory, during which he has destroyed twoMesserschmitt 109Fs and damaged two Messer- schmitt 109s. Act. Fit. Lt. H. R ALLEN. NO. 66 Squadron.—This officer has displayed great determination in combat and has destroyed at least six hostile air-craft. On a recent occasion he encountered a forma- tion of three enemy bombers escorted by fivefighters Fit. Lt. Allen immediately attacked these aircraft, in company with another pilot, and suc-ceeds! in destroying one of the fighters. P/O. W. G. G. D. SMITH, R.A.F.V.R., No. 611Squadron.—This officer has participated in many operational flights over enemy territory and hasalways displayed the utmost keenness to engage the enemy. During recent operations P/O. Smith hasdestroyed at least three hostile aircraft. F/O. R. H. MOORE, NO. 11 Squadron—In JuneF/O. Moore and Sgt. Manly were pilot and navi- gator/bomb aimer respectively of the leading air-craft of a form.it ion of three detailed to attack enemy shipping in the harbour at Beyrout. Owingto dense and low cloud, the attack was carried out at an extremely low altitude in the face of intenseand accurate anti-aircraft and machine-gun fire. Before reaching the objective the leader's aircraftwas hit bv a shell which caused considerable dam- age :ind injured Manly in several places. Despitethis handicap, by his skill and devotion to duty, the formation scored a direct hit on a large enemymerchant ship Although suffering severely. Manly displayed great resolution and successfully navi-gate.! the formation back to base where F/O. Moore skilfully landed his damaged aircraft without acci-dent. P/O Moore has completed 35, and Manly 42, operational missions, in which they both haveshown exceptional keenness and devction to duty. Act, F/O. R. F. OWEN, R.A.F.V.R., No, 35Squadron.—In June, 1941. F/O. Owen and Sgt. Hogg were the captain and wireless operator /airgunner respectively of an aircraft, which partici- pated in a. daylight attack on Kiel. After success,fully bombing his objective. -F/O. Owen's aircraft was attacked by four enemy fighters whilst attempting to regain formation with his leader.The aircraft was repeatedly hit—the starboard engine and the wireless were put out of actionand the beam gunner killed. Sgt. Hogg coolly returning fire was instrumentalin keeping the lighters at long range, which en- abled his captain to manoeuvre his aircraft andreach cloud cover. Sgt. Hogg thereupon skilfully repaired the wireless set, reconnecting 25 leadswith spare wire. Although one engine had ceased to function, F/O. Owen flew safely back to base. Throughout, this officer displayed excellent skilland courage and was ably assisted by the coolnest and ability of Sgt. Hogg.P/O. E. H. BAQNALD, R.A.F.V.R., No. 10 Squadron.—One night in June, 1941, this officerwas the navigator o! an aircraft which carried out an attack on Bremen. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire and searchlight activity in the target area, P/O. Bagnald. although the cockpit inwhich he was operating was penetrated by shell splinters, executed his duties as bomb aimer forsome 25 minutes in the most difficult circum- stances. On the return journey, P/O. Baeuaklwas wounded in the left arm, and although in great pain, he continued his navigational dutiesunder severe difficulties and ensured the sale return of his aircraft. Throughout the operationthis officer showed great courage and devotion to duty. F/O. D. O. HOBBIS, No. 219 Squadron.—Thisofficer has shown the utmost keenness for night Hying operations and he has destroyed three cnefcrjaircraft. His devotion to duty has been an excellent example to his fellow pilots. P/O. J. P. GEOOHEGAN, R.A.F.V.R.. No. 77Squadron.—One night in June, 1941, this officer was the observer of an aircraft, -which carried ontan attack on Dusseldorf During the attack the aircraft was hit and a piece of shrapnel whichentered the perspex of the front turret struck P/O. Geoghegan on the left arm. leaving a jagged,open wound. Nevertheless, although in great pain and suffering from shock, P/O. Geogheganinsisted on executing his duties as bomb aimer, and, when a tourniquet had been applied, hereturned to his post and finally released his bombs over the target. He subsequently navi-gated the aircraft safely to base. P/O. Geoghegan has previously participated in attacks againstDusseldorf, Brest and Sohwerte and has at all times been a keen and courageous navigator. DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. Sgt. A. W. HUNTER, NO. 148.Sgt. (now temp. Fit. Sgt.) R. F. NODEN No. 37. . Sgt. R. T PlRTE, A.A.F., No 612. Sgt. J. RHYDER. NO. 228. '•*. Sgt. J. RICHMOND. NO. 211.Sgt. (now feme. Fit. Ssrt.) W. .1. STEVENS, NO 38. Cpl. j. J. A. SMITH NO. 211. Cpl. A. C. MARTIN, NO. 209. Sgt. W. H. A. JACKSON, NO. 105. Sgt. J. A. PURVES, No. 105Sgt. W. N. WILLIAMS. R.N.Z.A.F., No. 105 Sgts. Jackson, Purves and Williams were thepilot, wireless operator/air gunner and air observer/ navigator respectively of an aircraft which partici-
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