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Aviation History
1941
1941 - 1793.PDF
AUGUST 7TH, 1941. FLIGHT SERVICE AVIATION pated in a daylight attack on Bremen on July 4th,1941. The formation, which flew in to the target at a height of about 50 feet, delivered its attackon the centre of the town • whilst flying through a balloon barrage and in the face of extremelyheavy fire from the ground. During the action the aircraft received direct hits, and Sgt. Purveswas wounded in the thigh and foot, while Sgt. Williams received wounds in the leg and foot. Inspite of his injuries Sgt. Williams successfully navi- gated the aircraft back to this country. In thishe was assisted by Sgt. Purves, who, although seriously wounded and suffering from considerableloss of blood, kept to his post. Sgt. Jackson, with exceptional skill, successfully crash-landed his air-craft on reaching base within a few .yards of the ambulance and fire tender which were standing by.These three airmen displayed great courage and determination under extremely harassing circum-stances. Fit. Sgt. A. GORDON, No. 84 Squadron. (Sincereported missing.) Sgt. G. FURNEY A.A.F., No. 84 Squadron. .(Sincereported missing.) Fit. Sgt. Gordon and Sgt. Furney have flowntogether PS pilot and wireless operator air gimner respectively on numerous operational nights. InOctober, when carrying out an attack at Tobruk. their aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters. Theengine was disabled, but the attackers were beaten off and Gordon suressfully force landed in thedesert. On another occasion Gordon and Furney participated in an attack on Kncove oil wells.Harassed by enemy fighters, Furney fought back fiercely until he received a severe head wound.Despite damage to the aircraft Gordon skilfully flew it some 200 miles back to his base. InMarch, 1941, Gordon, accompanied by Furney, carried out an attack on the Italian Fleet offCapo Matapan. In spite of intense anti-aircraft fire Gordon descended to 4,000 feet and scoredtwo direct hits on a cruiser causing it to slow down, and compelling other vessels to stand by.By their success in this operation, Gordon and Furney helped to bring the Italian Fleet to action.Both these airmen have displayed great skill and determination in accomplishing their allottedtasks. A/C.l W. N. ADDISON, NO 85 Squadron.This airman has displayed excellent skill and has taken part in the destruction of three enemyaircraft nt night. S((t. W. T. M. CLAIHC, A.A.F., No. 219 Squadron.—This airman has displayed exceptional keenness and ability and has assisted in the destruction offour enemy aircraft at night. Sgt. M. EVANS. R.N.Z.A.F.. No. 40 Squadron.—One night in June, 1941. this airman was captain of an aircraft which carried out an attack on adock at Rotterdam. Visibility was poor over the target area, but, in spite of heavy anti-aircraft andsearchlight activity and the presence of enemy fighters Sgt. Evans flew over the area for an hourto ensure that his objective was accurately located. He finally released his bombs, which were seento burst on or very close to the dock. On the return journey his aircraft was attackedby a Messerschmitt 110. By excellent airmanship Sgt. Evans enabled his rear gunner to fire a burst at the attacker which caused it to dive towardsthe sea out of control where it probably crashed. Sgt, Evans displayed great leadership, skill anddetermination throughout. Sgt. D. P. HOGG, NO. 35 Squadron.Sgt. G. E. MITCHELL, NO. 7 Squadron.—One night in June, 1941. this airman was the reargunner of an aircraft which was detailed to attack Hamburg. On (he return jourrey, anattack was made by a Messerschmitt 110. De- spite an intense concentration of cannon andmachine gun fire from the attacker. Sgt. Mitchell withheld his fire until the enemy came withinclose range. He then fired a burst of 600 rounds at the aircraft, which broke away, with its portengine aglow. It was subsequently confirmed that this aircraft was destroyed. Sgt. Mitchelldisplayed great courage and determination ami set an excellent, example. : Sgt. A. W. STEVEN, NO. 35 Squadron.—In June.1941, this airman was the observer of an aircraft which participated in a daylight attack on Kiel,when he displayed exceptional ability and great devotion to duty. ,L.A/C. M. GRIFFIN, H.A.A.F., No. 10 Squadron, —In June, 1941, this airman was the first fitterof a Sunderland aircraft which, in the course of an operation, was attacked by an enemy Focke-Wulf aircraft. After the engagement it was found that the Sunderlnmi was losing large quantitiesof oil. L.A/C. Griffin crawled into the wing and discovered two large holes in the bottom of theoil tank. Returning to the hull he obtained tools, plugsand a two-gallon drum of oil, which he took into the wing and, after plugging the holes andpiercing the top of the oil tank, he poured in the oil 'by means of a. small tin. and in this waysucceeded in maintaining a continuous supply of oil. L.A/C. Griffin made four journevs into thewing, and in all spent two hours nursing the engine in intense heat and in a very crampedposition. He displayed great devotion to duty and materially contributed to the safe return of hisaircraft. Set. T F MANI.Y NO 11 Squadron.Sgt. W. MrM. GILMOUR, R.AF.V.P... No. 611 Squadron.-This airman has displayed exrellentqualities us a fighter pi!ot. During the recent in- fprmve operations over enemy territory Sgt. Gil-mour has destroyed three hostile aircraft. ITe has set an excellent example throughout. HTHE .KING has been graciously pleased to apX prove the following award in recognition of gallant conduct : — MiLtTAEV CROSS. F/O. A. G. CORK.—In April, 1941. this officerwas second in command of his squadron's out- party, which embarked at Alexandria for Greece.During the voyage he was in charge of four Lewis gun positions manned by personnel of the squad-ron. On the outward journey the convoy, and his ship in particular, were attacked three times fromthe air before reaching Suda Bay, and once again while in the bay. When returning to Alexandria,in convoy, a further four attacks were made. Throughout all these attacks, which were madeeither by dive bombing or torpedoes, F/O. Cork controlled and used his guns continuously, man-ning individual gun positions in turn himself, although in an exposed position on the upper deck.His splendid leadership inspired the gun crew to resist the enemy with vigour and accuracy. "X" TWO TOP-NOTCHERS : Britain knows the sterling qualities embodied in the familiar and beloved figure in the foreground of this lucky snap ; and the Hun is being made painfully aware of the qualities of the Stirling bomber whose take-off the Prime Minister is watching. THEY'VE GOT A PULL : Womenalways did have a pull, anyway, but now that the W.A.A.F. is taking overthe balloon sites, they are, as this pic- ture shows, putting it to good use. THE KING has been graciously pleased to ap-prove the award of the George Medal to: —P/O. P. T. CURRV R.A.F.V.R.; L.A/C. H. R. GABNEK R.A.F.—This officer and airman displayedcourageous conduct when an aircraft, with a full load of bombs, crashed and burst into flames onenight in May. They succeeded in extricating two of the crew who were trapped in the aircraft, whilethe bombs were actually exploding. THE KING has been graciously pleased to ap-prove the awa d of the British Empire Medal(Military Division) to the undermentioned: — Sgt. P. E. PACEV, R.A.F.—One day in April thisairman was despatcher in an aircraft which crashed on landing and immediately burst into flames.He saw the six passengers, who were in his charge, to safety and, in spite of severe leg injuries, un-hesitatingly re-entered the aircraft and crawled up the fuselage to rescue the wireless operator whoseclothes were on fire. The fuselage tanks exploded and set fire to Sgt. Pacey's clothing just as hesucceeded in dragging the wireless operator clear of the aircraft. Sgt. Pacey took a considerablerisk in re-entering the blazing aircraft and set a splendid example of courage and self-sacrifice.Sgt. D. F. ALLEN. G.M., R.A.F.—One evening in April an enemy aircraft dropped incendiarybombs on an aerodrome. One bomb fell into the cockpit of an aircraft on the ground and lodgedbeneath the seat, and under the front of the fuse- lage petrol tank in a position which preventedits removal. Sgt. Allen attempted to extinguish the incendiary, but his efforts were unavailingowing to its position. He therefore climbed inio fhe cockpit and, although fully aware that thefuel tank was likely to explode at any moment, he plied fire extinguishers against the side ofthe tank and put soil on the incendiary until it was finally extinguished. At thetime a large number of men were engaged in putting out other incendiaries near the aircraft.There is no doubt that Sgt. Allen, by his initia- tive and gallant conduct in the face of extremelydangerous conditions, prevented many casualties which would certainly have occurred had Hie tankexploded. THE KING has alsos been graciously pleased togive orders for the publication of the names of the undermentioned airmen in the I*ondonGazette as having received an expression of Com- mendation for brave conduct in connection withCivil Defence : — Act. Cpl. Charles Walter LYNES.L.A/C. Daniel John WRIGHT. THE KING has granted unrestricted permissionfor the wearing of the undermentioned decora-tions, conferred on the officers and airmen indicated in recognition of valuable services rendered inconnection with the war: — CONFERRED BV THE POLISH GOVERNMENT POLONIA RESTITUTA—first Clatt.Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles F. A. 1'OBIAL, K.C.B., D.S.O., M.C. Second Clatt Air Commodore A. R. BOYLE, C.M.G., O.BE,M.C., R.A.F.V.R. Air Commodore Douglas COLYER. D.F.O.
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