FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1942
1942 - 0311.PDF
FEBRUARY 5TH, 1942 A fully armed Hurricane bomber in flight. In addition to the bombs a full battery of machine guns is carried. The Rolls- Royce Merlin now gives over 1,300 h.p. Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm News and Announcements Promotions ** ^ From The London Gazette, Jan 27. Air Cmdrs. to be Air Vice-Marshals (temp.).— H. V. CHAMPION DE CBESPIGNY, M.C., D.F.C. (Act. Air Vice-Marshal). J. M. ROBB, C.B., D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C. (Act. Air Vic»Marshal). J. J. BREEN, O.B.E. G. C. PIBIE, C.B.E., M.C., D.F.C. (Act. Air Vice- .Marshal). 11. M. S. SAUNDBy, M.C., D.F.C., A.F.C. (Act. Air Vice-Marshal) D. F. STEVENSON, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C (Act. Air Vice-Marshal). Hon. R. A. COCHRANE, C.B.E., A.F.C. W. A. COEYTON, C.B., M.V.O., D.F.C. Grp. Capts. to be Air Comdrs. (temp.) : — L O. BROWN. C.B.E., D.S.C., A.F.C. C. E. V. POETEB. R. A GEORGE, M.C. P H. MACKWOETH, D.F.C. W. ELLIOT, C.B.E., D.F.C. J. W. BAKER, M.C., D.F.C. All promotions to date from Dec. 1st, 1941. Battle Dress for R.O.C. MEMBERS of the Royal Observer Corps are now to have a uniform of their own. The design is of blue-grey serge battle dress with shoulder straps and belt. The tunic, which has a stand-and-fall collar, is fitted with four R.O.C. buttons down the front. The shoulder straps, breast pockets and cuffs are fastened by small R.O.C. buttons. A woven circular badge bear ing the words " Royal Observer Corps " with an eagle in the centre and surmounted by a crown, is worn on the left breast. The head dress will continue to bt a dark blue beret bear ing the R.O.C. metal badge. Awards Battle of Libya IMMEDIATE AWARDS. 'pilE KING has been graciously pleased to ap- -*• prove the following immediate awards which aave been made in recognition of gallantry dis played in flying operations against the enemy: — DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OBDEE. Act. Sqn. Ldr. M. M. STEPHENS, D.F.C., No. 80 Squadron.—In December, 1941. this officer led a bombing and machine-gun attack on enemy mech- Passmore F/O. D. who won the on ship 42 Squat his",, attj in the \Iorth; ^5$a. anical transport in the Acroma area. Following the attack Sqn. Ldr. Stephens observed the fighter escort in combat with a force of enemy fighters, but, whilst attempting to participate in the engage ment, his aircraft was severely damaged by an enemy fighter pilot whose cannon fire exploded the starboard petrol tank. This, with the oil tank, burst into flames The same burst of fire wounded Sqn. Ldr. Stephens in both feet and blew out the starboard side of the aircraft's cockpit. Sqn. Ldr. Stephens then prepared to abandon aircraft, but, when half way out of the cockpit, he observed an enemy air craft fly past him. He immediately regained his seat and shot down the enemy aircraft. Sqn. Ldr. Stephens finally left his crippled air craft by parachute and landed safely on the ground, where he beat out the flames from his burning clothing. Although he had landed within 300 yards of the enemy's lines, Sqn. Ldr. Stephens succeeded in regaining our own territory within three-quarters of an hour. Throughout, this officer displayed great courage and devotion to duty. Previously Sqn. Ldr. Ste phens led his 6quadron on operations which were of the greatest value during the battle for Tobruk. His leadership and example proved an inspiration. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. Act. Sqn. Ldr. S. LINNARD, No. 274 Squadron. —This officer has shown himself to be an excep tionally resolute leader. In December, 1941, he led the squadron against a force of 15 Junkers 87's escorted by 16 fighter aircraft. The engagement, resulted in the loss of five enemy aircraft, while the remainder were dispersed. Two days later Sqn. Ldr. Linnard led his squadron as part of a wing escort to a formation of bombers detailed to attack enemy columns between El Adem and Sidi Rezegh. During the flight some 30 enemy fighters were encountered, but, under the skilful leadership of Sqn. Ldr. Linnard, his squadron provided protec tion for the bombers for some time and. when the enemjfc^finally attacked, three of their aircraft ad many others damaged. Sqn. fff. Linnardnb"3sKiltfc4£ipated in operational flying ^over a long period, rounding the campaign in Greece and Syria, and has^lways shown courage and skill. Major M. S. OSLER, S.A.A.tV No. 1 (S.A.A.F.) Squadrons-Tins officer has displayed exceptional skill arffieadership as squadron\>mmander during the present campaign in Cyrenauta. In December,
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
