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Aviation History
1941
1941 - 2046.PDF
•138 FLIGHT SEPTEMBER 4TH, 1941. Jeervice Royal Au Force and Fleet Air Arm News and Announcements THE KING has been graciously pleased to ap-prove the following awards for gallantry andJevotion to duty in the execution of air opera- tions : — DISTINGUISHED SEKVICE ORDER.Wing Cdr H. Rudolph OKAHAU, NO. 7 Squadron Act. Wing Cdi L. V E. ATKINSON, D.F.C., NO.82 8qnadron.-In June, 1941, this officer carried out a low flying attack on the Tripoli Homs road,demolishing a large factory. The following day he led a most determined attack on shipping inTripoli harbour As a result a 20,000.ton liner and a 12,500-ton motor vessel were severelydamaged, while the complete harbour organisa- tion was disrupted; all the remaining ships sailedaway later in the ^'ay. Wing Cdr. Atkinson also led a successful attackon an aerodrome ten miles west if Tripoli, caus- ing large fires and explosions. Amongst otherdamage inflicted, five aircraft w?re destroyed on the ground.This officer has proved himseH to be a fearless operational pilot, and has been responsibly for thedestruction of many thousands of tons of enemy shipping He is a magnificent leader whosecourage and determination haw been of the highest order.Act. Fit. Lt Thomas John WATKINS. NO 82 Squadron.—In June, 1941, Fit. Lt Watkins andSet. Sargent were pilot and observer respectively of an aircraft which participated in an attackon an enemy convoy off Lampadusa. Attacking a 6,000-ton merchant ship in the face of heavyanti-aircraft fire, Fit. Lt. Watkins was severely woanded in the legs during his run over the target.Nevertheless, he pressed home his attack mast high, scoring hits on the objective. Enemyfighters then engaged his aircraft, but, by skilful manoeuvring, he enabled his rear gunner to resistthe attackers. On the return Journey Fit. Lt. Watkins fellinto a stupor as :i result of his wounds, and Sgt Sargent, who was unable to call the airgunner as the inter-communication gear *was otit of order, removed the wounded pilot from hisseat, took over the controls, and flew the aircraft back to base. During this period Fit. Lt BREWSTER SB2A-1 : An almost identical model of this long-range dive-bomber is in production for Britain and the Nederlands Air Force. The bombs are stowed internally. BLAST IN THE MAKING : A sergeant wireless operator tries his hand at bomb filling during a visit to a Ministry of Supply factory. Watkins had momentary periods of consciousness,and, when Informed that the aircraft was over base, insisted on taking control. Although inintense pain and very weak from loss of blood, by a supreme effort be regained his seat and_ madea landing without damaging the aircraft. Throughout Fit. Lt. Watkins displayed thehighest courage and devotion to duty, while Sgt. Sargent displayed courage and resource in difficult circumstances. BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.Act. Fit. Lt Richard Frewen MARTIN, D.F.C., No. 250 Squadron. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSSThe numbers after each name represent the squadron with which the recipient is serving.Wing Cdr Charles Victor HOWES, No. 102. Wing Cdr Richard Bowen JORDAN, NO. 214.Act. Wing Cdr, Kenneth Stewart BATCHELOB, R.A.F.O.. No. 9.Act. Sqn. Ldr. Alan Donald FRANK, R.A.F.O., No 150.Act. Sqn Ldr. Stewart William Blacker MENAUL, No 15.Act. Sqn Ldr. George Roger TENCH. R.A.F.O., No. 49.Act. Sqn Ldr. ttewart Owen TUDOR. R.A.F.O., No. 106.Fit. Lt. Henry Gilbert FLETCHER, NO. 6. Fit. Lt. Charles Horace FRT, NO. 112.Fit. Lt Alan Clement GODFREY, NO. 211. Act. Fit. Lt. Homer Powell COCHRANE, NO. 112.Act. Fit. Lt William Michael COLLINS, NO. 82. Act. Fit. Lt. Keith Henry Augustus ELLIS. NO. 66.Act. Fit. Lt Eric George FRANKLIN, R.A.F.V.R., No. 55.Act. Fit Lt. Douglas David HA JO, NO. 144. Act. Fit Lt. Richard Anthony LEWIS, NO. 89.Act. Fit. Lt. Alfred John OGILVIE, No 58. Act. Fit Lt. Walter Ronald Nisbet STURDY,No. 214. Act. Fit Lt. James Leslie Williams WAQLAND,R.A.F.V.R.. No. 78. F/O. Raynev BAKER, "R.A.F.V.R., No. 44.F/O. William Henry HILL, NO. 50. F/O. Ross JAMES, NO. 102.F/O. Ernest Charles LANE-SANSAM, NO. 20S. F/O William Maurice LEWIS, NO. 39.F/O Daniel MCINTOSH, No. 9. F/O Robert Ross STEPHENSON, NO. 208.F/O. Ranulf TREVOR-ROPER, NO. 84. F/O. Alfred Denys WEBB, NO. 78.Act. F/O. Archibald George Alexander COCHRANE, No. 15.Act. F/O. William Abbotson TETLEI. R.A.F.V.B., No. 55.P/O. Richard James BOLLARD (N.Z.), R.N.Z.A.F.. No. 149.P/O. Douglas Frank Kitchener EDGHILL, No. 829 P/O Philip Bennett M00HB, No. 60.P/O. Peter George Hoolte PEARSON, A.A.F., NO. 77P/O. Cyril Leslie TRICKETT, No. 44. W/O Thomas Charles MOBMS, No. 274.Sqn. Ldr. Oswald James Milman BARROW, No 220.Fit. Lt. Jack Albert HOLMES, NO. 240. Act. Fit. Lt. Richard John VACGHAN, NO. 201.F/O. Stanley George BAGQOTT NO. 95. Fit. Lt. Henry Niel George WHEELER. Fit. Lt. C. 3. BARTLETT NO. 216 Squadron.—One Bight in May, 1941. this official carried out a flight which necessitated transporting a partyof Royal Engineers and landing them beside a highly strategical railway bridge which it wasintended to destroy. Much of the complete suc- cess of this daring and difficult operation can beattributed to the skill displayed by this officer. Fit. Lt. Bartlett has also executed eleven suc-cessful night rafds. Act. Fit. Lt. W. A. SHIIXITTO, NO. 75 (81 Wing—This officer has carried out many flights of a technical nature in which he has shown greatdevotion to duty. On one occasion his aircraft was repeatedly attacked by a Messersehrnitt 109F.After taking successful avoiding action, Fit. Lt Shillitto succeeded in firing a long burst whichdamaged the Messerschmitt and the engagement was broken oft Fit. Lt. Shillitto is a capableleader who has set a very high standard F/O. C. 8. DAVIS, B.A.F.V.R. NO. 38Squadron.—One night in June, 1S41, this officer carried out a successful attack on a target atBenghazi, afterwards flying on to Bixtina, where, in spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire, he machine-gunned aircraft on the ground from a low alti- tude. This officer has carried out 34 operationalflights, and has at all times displayed exceptional keenness, skill and determination. F/O. L. D. M. SCOTT, NO. 145 Sqaadron.-F/O.Scott has taken part in 52 sweeps over enemy territory and has displayed the utmost gallantryand unfailing cheerfulness throughout. He has destroyed two enemy aircraft.Act. Sqdn. Ldr. V. B. VERITY NO. 96 Squad- ron.—Sqn Ldi. Verity has shown a fine exampleby the skill with which he has intercepted enemy aircraft at night and the determination he hasdisplayed in his attacks. He has destroyed at least two and damaged two other hostile aircraft.In most of hit combats Sqn. Ldr. Verity has been accompanied by Sgt. Wake, who, as an air gunnerhas displayed great skill, determination and courage. Act. F/O. G. E. WALKER, RA.F.V.R., NO. 7Squadron.—In July, 1941, F/O. Walker and Sgt Capel were navigator-bomb aimer and reargunner respectively of an aircraft which attacked the battle cruiser Scharnhorst at La Pallice.F/O. Walker skilfully navigated the aircraft to the target, and, in the face of intense anti-aircraft'opposition, succeeded in scoring a direct hit on the battle cruiser with a heavy bomb. During the operation the aircraft was engagedby six enemy fighters, and Sgt. Capel, by accurate and well-controlled fire, destroyed the first twoof them which attempted to close the range. The remainder finally flew awayF/O. Walker by his navigational and bombing skill contributed largely to the success of theoperation, while Sgt. Capel displayed great cool- ness and accurate shooting when opposed by asuperior number of enemy aircraft. Both hire participated in many previous operational missions. BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL.Sgt. J. OSIOHS, D.F.M., No. 226 Sqnadron.- This airman has completed 186 sorties. In July,1941. he was pilot of one of a formation of air- craft which carried out a low-level attack on »convoy in daylight off the coast of Nordeney. On sighting the convoy of seven merchant vesselsescorted by Flak Bhips the formation broke up and the pilots attacked individually. In the face ofintense anti-aircraft fire, Sgt. Onions secured at least one direct hit from low level on a ship ofabout 3,000 tons. His aircraft was twice hit; two of his cre-v received injuries, the navigation in-struments and maps were wrecked, and the hydraulic system was put out of action. Despite all this, Sgt. Onions successfully led theformation back to base and landed his damaged aircraft with its undercarriage retracted, withoutfurther 'injury to his crew. He has at all times displayed high coUTage ftn3 determination DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL.Fit. Sgt. George Edward BAILET, NO. 84. Fit Sgt RobeTt BiTHELL.Fit Sgt Philip Douglas CHERRT, NO. 55. Fit Sgt. William Henry DUNWOODIE, No. 94Fit Sgt Michael Gregory GARDIKKE, NO. 7. Fit Sgt. Alfred William GROVES, NO. 107.Fit Sgt James Wesley HOUSTON, NO. 83. Fit Sgt Robert Douglas LEWIS, NO. 203.Fit. Sgt John Charles MACGKBGOR, NO. 44. Fit. Sgt. John Roy MARSHALL, NO. 211.Sgt. Frederick Alan ABBOTT, NO. 203. Sgt. Sydney Rupert ANDREWS, R.A.F.V.R., No. 9»Sgt. Joha Clifford BANKS. No. 102. Sgt John David BAXTER, R.A.F.V.R., No. 149.Sgt. Frank BELL, NO. 58. ,, Sgt. Francis James Thomas BROOKS, NO,,11.Sgt. Donald Roy Highfield BROWS, NO. 218- Sgt Frederick Raymond BROWN. NO. 144.Sgt. Ian Crawford BURNS. R.A.F.V.K., No. 144. Sgt. Charles Edward CASBOLT, NO. 80.Sgt. Maurice William CHADWICK, NO. 78. Sgt. Ralph Edward CLARK, RA.F.V.R.. JSO-W-Sgt. Stanley Joseph COLEMAN, A.A.F., HO.SB- Sgt Donglas Henry CROCKER. R.AJ\V.B, NO. SiSgt. William Rupert CROFTS, NO. 214. Sgt Peter Bruce Dumas, R.A.F.V.R., No. 2H-
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