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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 0207.PDF
JANUARY 22ND, 1942 FLIGHT : Cits officer has consistently shown great courage aM flgbtins spirit and has set a magnificent example. Act. Sqn. Ldr. A. D. McN. Bovo, R.A.F.V.R., and Act. Fit. Lt. A. J. GLEGG, R.A.F.V.R., both of No 6C0 Squadron. Sqn. Ldr. Boyd and Fit. Lt. Glegg have flown together in numerous night operational sorties. Sqn. Ldr. Boyd is a skilful and determined pilot, and he has destroyed three enemy aircraft. Fit. Lt. Glegg, by his great skill as observer, has largely assisted his pilot in the successes achieved. Both "these officers have shown exceptional keen ness and devotion to duty. Act. Sqn. Ldr. R. J. K. HOGG. No. 115 Squad-ion.—One night in December, 1941, this officer was detailed to attack a target at Biest. Despite intense and accurate anti-aireralt .fire and search light opposition, Sqn. Ldr. Hogg made several determined attacks even after his aircraft had keen hit several times by shell-fire. During the attack he courageously attempted to draw the enemy fire from another aircraft which was caught in a heavy barrage by making close cir cuits of the fire zone. This officer has completed 55 operational sorties, including 16 in Libya and Greece. He has at all times shown great courage and resource. Fit. Lt. A. J. II. FINCH, R.A.F.Q., and P/O. A. H. ALDRIDGE, R.A.F.V.K., both of No. 217 Squadron. One day in December, 1941, Fit. Lt. Finch and P/O. Aldriuge participated in an attack on an enemy convoy of eigjjt ships, escorted by twfo armed vessels, off the Dutch coast. Skilfully approaching the largest ship, Fit. Lt. Finch new into the attack at an extremely low level. Evading the ship'8 defensive fire, he machine gunned the bridge and, flying across the vessel at mast height, released a stick of four bombs; it is estimated that th ree direct hits were obtained. !0. Aldridge followed his leader's example h great determination, and, as the target vessel was obscured amidships by the smoke caused by the explosions of his leader's bombs he skilfully aimed his bombs nearer the bows of the ship and obtained several hits. In accom plishing this, P/O. Aldridge flew so Tow that the wing tip of his aircraft was severed by the bracing wires of a mast. Throughout both these officers showed great courage, combined with rare skill and judgment. F/O. D. PABSMORE, R.A.F.V.R. NO. 42 Squadron.—In November, 1941, this officer was the leader of a formation of aircraft detailed to attack shipping off the Danish coast. Owing to adverse weather conditions, the aircraft was unable to keep formation, but F/O. Passmore succeeded in locating the target, a supply ship escorted by five destroyer?, and, in spite of heavy opposition, carried out a determined low-level bombing attack. A few days later he attacked a medium-sized supply vessel in convoy off the Norwegian coast and, despite heavy anti-aircraft fire, which damaged his aircraft, he succeeded in scoring a direct hit on the vessel with one of his bombs. F/O. E. F. EDSALL, R.A.F.V.R., No. 602 Squadron.—This officer has participated in opera tional flying over a long period. He fought in the Battle of Britain, during which he destroyed at least four enemy aircraft before he was severely wounded in combat. Since he returned to operational flying, F/O. Edsall has carried out numerous sorties over Northern France. He is a courageous and skilful fighter pilot who, in spite of his injuries, has continued to set a splendid example. Act. Son. Ldr. A. M. MURPHY, No. 138 Squadron. —This officer carried out a hazardous mission with complete success despite navigational difficulties and adverse weather conditions. On a previous occa- JMJ sion, when returning from an operational mission, Sqn. Ldr. Murphy passed over an enemy convoy at the low altitude of 100 feet. He noted its position, counted the ships and observed their course, and then reported the information to base. The information proved of great value. This officer has invariably displayed great courage and initiative. Act. Fit. Lt. A. L. WlNSKILI.. P.A.F.V.R , No. 41 Squadron.—This officer has carried out over 250 hours operational flying and has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft. One day in August, 1941, he attacked two Messerschmitt 109's which at-tempted to intercept our bombers. He destroyed one of the enemy fighters, and his action certainly saved the bombers from serious attack. F/O. W. W. CAVE, R.A.F.V.R,, No. 502 Squadron. —This officer was captain of an aircraft engaged on an anti-submarine patrol. He observed, some three miles on his starboard bow, an outward hound u boat on the surface of the sea. F/O. Cave skilfully manoeuvred to attack and released his complete load of explosives in a stick just in front and alongside the approaching U boat. The vessel was completely engulfed in the ensuing explosions, but remained long enough on the su: face to allow for six front and rear machine-gun attacks to be directed at the conning tower. During the second of these attacks an occupant of the enemy submarine tried to reach the gun near tie conning tow:er, but was driven to take refuge. Finally, the U boat submerged and a huge gush of oil rose to the surface and spread over an area 300 yards in diameter. The submarine was again seen for about 30 seconds, but then disappeared amidst oil. In spite of a temporary breakdown of inter-communication, F/O. Cave had drilled his crew to such perfection that he was able to inflict the most effective damage on the enemy. The attack was carried out with great skill, by this officer, whose leadership and devotion to duty were of the highest order, P/O. R. J. ROBINSON, R.A.F.V.R., No. 49 Squadron.—In December, 1941, this officer was the pilot of an aircraft which carried out a daring attack on an enemy airdrome in daylight. Just before the attack was made, the Perspex of the navigator's cockpit was shattered by a bird, but the attack was pressed home from a height of only 100 feet despite considerable opposition. Bombs were released on a hangar while' a number^of Messersehmitt 109's on the ground were macHBe- gunned and set on fire. P/O. Robinson's aircraft was hit by a cannon shell which riddled the navi gator's cockpit and so seriously wounded the navi gator that he died shortly afteiw-ards. The aircraft sustained other damage, and the inter-communica tion and hydraulic systems were put out of action ; the pilot's instrument panel was also damaged. P/O. Robinson set course for this country, and meanwhile the rear gunner tended the badly wounded navigator and beat out flames from his burning clothing. Overcoming many difficulties. P/O. Robinson flew back to an airdrome in this country, where he made a perfect landing with the undercarriage retracted. This officer has com pleted 24 operational missions over enemy country and has' always shown high courage and great devotion to duty. DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. Fit. Sgt. J. S. CAMERON, with effe'et from Aug. 22, 1941. Sgt. R W. Cox, No. 103 Sqn., with effect from Sept. 25, 1941. Sgt. A. G. LOWE, R.A.F.V.R.. No. 51 Sqn., with effect from Aug. 16, 1941. Sgt. V. R. MARSH, with effect from July 26, 1941. Fit. Sgt. R. V. ELLIS, No. 73 Squadron.—This airman has been actively engaged on operational flying since June, 1940. He participated in the intensive air operations in France and, just prior A little rugger practice, in the shad Force squadron F/O P. J. S. Boggis, who was one of ten airmen to be decorated for their share in the daylight raid on Brest in December last. to the evacuation, he was responsible: for arrang ing with another pilot ior the passage to England of General de Gaulle. Fit. Sgt. Ellis subsequently fought in the Battle of Britain and destroyed lour enemy aircraft. Later, he participated in intensive operations over Sidi Barrani, Tobruk, Derna and Gazala. He fought during the period of the advance and later lie took part in the defence of Tobruk at a diffi cult period. In one raid on Tobruk, Fit. Sgt. Ellis destroyed two Junkers 87; he then landed, and, taking off in another aircraft, he fought and shot down another Junkers 87. Fit. Sgt. Ellis carried out a large number ot hazardous sorties, machine-gunning mechanised transports and aerodromes to disorganise the enemy's forces during their advance from Ben ghazi. This airman has served with distinction throughout. Unaffected by these periods of con tinual warfare, he has retained both his skill and zest. Sgt. J. W. BARNES, R.A.A.F., No. 37 Squadron.-This airman has participated in operational missions, which have included raids on targets in Cyrenaica, Greece, Sicily and Tripolitania. lti September, 1941, Sgt. Barnes participated in four low flying attacks against objectives at Tripoli Harbour. In one of these engagements his air craft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire, one engine and the instruments in the pilot's-cock pit being put out of action, but he coolly and skilfully flew his aircraft safely back to base. Sgt. Barnes has set a worthy example. Sgt. D. A. HORWOOD, No. 235 Squadion.—This airman was the wireless operator/air gunner oi a Blenheim aircraft which becajne. involved in combat with a Heinkol III. Sgt. Ilorwood re ceived a serious wound in the chest and, at the same time, the observer was so seriously wounded as to prevent him from carrying out further navigational duties. Following the engagement, the pilot set course for base, his only navigational assistance being the wireless operated by Sgt Ilor wood. Although suffering intense pain, Sgt. Horwood displayed the greatest courage and forti tude and, for two hours until the aircraft was safely landed, continually operated his wireless set Despite his condition, Set. Ilorwood's operat ing was of a high order throughout. His skill undoubtedly contributed materially to the sale return of his aircraft. Sgt. L. J. C. WILDIC, No. 143 Squadron.-This airman has been engaged as an observer on operational flying since the war began. He par ticipated in numerous raids, six ol which were in daylight, over Germany and occupied territory. Since then, Sgt. Wiklig lias participated in many attacks against targets in Tripoli, Sicily and Southern Italy. Amongst other successes achieved Sgt. Wildig scored a direct hit on the power house at Tripoli. He has also destroyed a number of enemy air craft on the ground by his accurate bombing. His work has been consistently good and successive captains have placed the greatest faith in his ability both as navigator and bomb aimer. He has displayed courage and enthusiasm. I i
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