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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 0153.PDF
JANUARY 15TH, 1942 LORRAINE SQUADRON : A Free French bomber squadron which is co-operating with the R.A.F. in Libya. Their long- nosed Blenheims bear the double cross of Lorraine in addition to the R.A.F. roundels. Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm News and Announcements THE King haB been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition ot gallantry displayed in flying operations against th* enemy : — DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS Sqn. Ldr. I. S, POBGER, R.A.A.F.—Since the war began 8qn. £dr. Podger has participated in very many operational flight* as captain of air craft. Sqn. Ldr. Podger has at all times shown great zeal. On one occasion he brought his air- •w craft down to the sea and picked up 21 survivors •M Irom a ship's lifeboat. On another occasion he f fought an F. W. Condor aircraft and successfully S lefended one of our convoys. He has displayed If outstanding qualities of leadership and command. r Fit. Lt. D. A. COKE (since reported missing). R.A.F.V.R., No. 80 Squadron.—This officer par ticipated in an attack on enemy transport on the El Adem-Acroma road one day in November. 1941, in which a large number of vehicles, tanks and mechanised transport were bombed and machine-gunned. The damage inflicted played a very large part in the blocking of the road. By his skill and leadership, Fit. Lt. Coke contributed materially to the success achieved. I" addition to the low flying machine-gunning operations which have been carried out. Fit. Lt. Ooke has led the squadron with great success in air combat. During an engagement two day* later, the squadron shared in the destruction of live Messerschmitt 109's. F/O. P. T. COTTON. R.A.F.V.R.. No. 208 Squadron.—One day in November. 1941, ihi> officii carried out an extremely important reconnaissance. During the flight his aircraft was attacked 1; two Messerschmitt 109's, but F/O. Cotton dr<'-.. them off and flew on to complete bis task Hi ;kill, coolness and courage enabled him to obtiiii: informal imi of vital imports life. F/O. F. FISCHER, R.A.A.F., No. 3 Squadron.-In November, 1941, this officer, was returaiiir. alone from a patrol, a defect having arisen in the airscrew which caused the windscreen of hi- aircraft to be completely covered with oil, when he saw a force of nine Messerschmitt 109's about ° machine-gun aircraft on one of our forward landing grounds. Despite tha handicap imposed by his lack of y vision, F/O. Fischer engaged and destroyed one ol ^the hostile aircraft and attacked three ol the others before he was compelled to abandon his ovvn aircraft. By his skill and initiative, F/O. Fischer completely broke up the enemy attack, thereby saving the aircraft based on the landing ground. Act. Fit. Lt. A. SPOONEB, R.A.F.V R., Special Flight. Luga—One night in November, 1941, ibis Flight Sergeant Monica Shezall who was awarded the B.E.M. in the New Year Honours. officer was captain of an aircraft co-operating T.ith our naval forces in the Ionian Sea. Extremelv unfavourable weather conditions prevailed, clouds being down almost to sea level bnt, in spite of this. Fit. Lt. Spooner carried out a search ex tending for some 300 miles of open sea. Fit. Lt. Spooner succeeded in locating two convoys, each consisting of a merchant vessel and a destroyer, and it was entirely due to his skill and persistence in the face of great odds that the naval force was directed to the target and thus able to destroy the convoys. In October, 1941, Fit. Lt. Spooner attacked an 8,000-ton enemv merchant vessel, setting it on fire. Two nights later, he shadowed a convoy which was sub sequent1? attacked by our naval aircraft, and three merchant vessels were seriously damaged. During October and November this officer was successful in locating three enemy convoys and, as a result of attacks by our aircraft, several enemy ships were set on fire and others were damaged. In the latest attack, which was on four ships, onlv one was to be seen the next day. Throughout, this officer has displayed exceptional skill and determination. Act. Sqn. Ldr. G. A. BROWN, No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron.—Sqn. Ldr. Brown has been actively engaged in Fighter Command since the beginning of hostilities and has shown the highest devotion to duty over a long period. Within the last six months he has taken part in nine operational sorties over occupied France, as ctose escort to bombers, and has proved himself an able leader and an inspiration to his subordinates. Sqn. Ldr. Brown has destroyed one enemy aircraft. In addition to these duties he has taken part in the training of all three Eagle Squadrons, and has assisted in bringing them to a high state of operational efficiency. Act. Squ. Ldr. P. H. WAY. R.A.F.O., No. 57 Squadron.—Recently this officer has carried out 27 bombing Hrtfls. He has always pressed home his attackajfwith the utmost vigour, both in adverse Blither conditions and in the face ot intenso^Bemy opposition, and has never abandoned a mjaKbti. As a flight commander Sqn. Ldr. Way hajjjfaken infinite care in the training and welfare lis crews and has inspired them by his leader ip, courage and devotion to duty. Act. Fit. Lt.. C. A. Atxms, R.A.F.V.n... No. 144 Squadron—This officer has displayed great courage and determination throughout, the many missions
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