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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 0584.PDF
CN: .v M.4.RCH I2TH. I942 SERVI How the R.A.F. fighter wing lived during its stay in Russia. A scene in a dugout which served as a dispersal hut. Lt. W. WILLIAMS, R.N., and Ldg. Airman W. J. (LINTON, who. as observer and air gunner to Lt. Cdr. Esuionde shared his fate in this gallant action, and showed the same high courage. Fleet Air Arm DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER. r.t. Cdr. F. H. E HOPKINS, D.S.C., R.N.—In recognition of the leading part he played in a suc cessful air attack on an important enemy convoy on lis way to Tripoli on the night of January 23-24. lt was due to his unflagging devotion to duty and his determination that the convoy, al though -mtside the safe range of the Swordfish air craft available in the prevailing bad weather con ditions, was located and later attacked. As a result of this and other attacks the heavily escorted Italian liner Victoria (13,098 tons) was hit with torpedoes and almost certainly sunk. To achieve this result, Lt. Cdr. Hopkins made flights lasting nearly 12 hours through bad weather, which steadily grew worse. First be led a number of Swordfish on a search for the convoy. Rain and a low ceiling of cloud made the search very difficult. By the time the convoy was sighted all but two of the aircraft had been forced to return to their base. Although he now knew that the convoy was out side the safe operational range of his aircraft, which meant that attacking aircraft might not be able to get home again, Lt. Cdr. Hopkins was not deterred. He flew back to his base and organised * striking force of Swordfish torpedo-carrying aircraft By this time the weather had grown still worse, but he set put again with the new forma tion. Again the convoy was located and the Sword-fish dived to the attack. Two torpedoes were seen to hit the liner, and later aircraft reconnaissance could find no trace of this ship. It was Lt. Cdr. Hopkins' refusal to be deterred from setting at the enemy which made this success possible. December, 1941, during a patrol over the Derna area, he shot down a Messerschmitt 110; the next day. in the same area, he destroyed a Messer-schmitt 110 and a Junkers 88. One day in January, 1943. his squadron formed part of an escort to bomber aircraft operating over El Aghcila. Enemy aircraft were encoun tered and, in the ensuing engagement. F/O. Barr attacked two Italian fighters one of which he shot down. He then observed one of his fellow pilots, who had been shot down, waving to hhn from the ground, but, when preparing to make a landing in an attempt to rescue him, F/O, Barr was attacked by two Messerschmitt 109s. Although tlie undercarriage of his aircraft was not fully retracted, he immediately manoeuvred to engage the attackers only to find that his guns iiad jammed. Quickly -rectifying the fault, he delivered an accurate burst of fire which caused one of the Messerschmitts to disintegrate in the air. A further two enemy aircraft joined in the combat and F/O. Barr was wounded and forced down. While on the ground he was further wounded by the enemy's fire. but. despite this, he made his way through the enemy's lines and rejoined our .. own forces some three days later. He brought back much valuable information regarding the Dis position of enemy tanks and defences. F/O. Ban displayed the greatest courage and tenacity throughout. He has destroyed eight enemy air craft. P/0. J. Moss, No, 208 Squadron.—One day in January, 1942, this officer carried out a photo graphic reconnaissance of the battle area. While making his run over the area at 20,000 feet, P/O. Moss observed three enemy fighters flying to inter cept him. Nevertheless, he continued his run for some eight minutes and, when the attackers pre pared to engage him, he put his aircraft into a violent turn and spiralled down to 4,000 feet, which caused the windscreen and hood to become iced-up and reduced his visibility to a minimum. When below 4,000 feet, the ice cleared ^i P/O. Moss observed that the enemy fighters «Pe still in pursuit, but, adopting both skilful and disconcerting tactics, he cleverly evaded the enemy. He finally eluded his pursuers in a garni storm near a landing ground, but he was unable to land there owing to the sand storm. Realising, however, that his petrol was becomins exhausted, he flew clear of the tents and mechan ised transport and made a safe landing with the undercarriage of his aircraft retracted and without. incurring any damage to his camera. He then commandeered a vehicle and returned to his squadron with his photographs. P/O, Moss dis played courage and resource in accomplishing a most valuable reconnaissance. P/O. G. H. W. GLENN, R.A.F.V.R., and P/O. D. Q. MILLER., R.A.F.V.R., both of No. 144 Squadron. In December, 1941, P/O.s Glenn and Miller were the pilot and navigator respectively of one of a force of aircraft which was detailed" to carry out a low-level daylight attack on the battle cruiser Gnei&enau at Brest. Skilful navigation by P/0. Miller enabled the aircraft to break cloud cover over the target area, but, in the run up to attack, an extremely fierce and accurate barrage was encountered, and the aircraft was repeatedly hit by shell-fire. When nearing the objective, the starboard wing of the aircraft touched the cable of a balloon, which was obscured by the clouds, causing the aircraft to swerve violently. P/O. Glenn regained control and headed for the objective. Almost immediately a shell burst on the tail-plane, inflicting such damage that the aircraft became almost uncontrollable. In harass ing conditions, P/O. Glenn succeeded in flying the aircraft back to an airdrome in this country, where a safe landing was made. Throughout. P/O.s Glenn and Miller displayed rare courage, skill and tenacity. Both officers have carried out repeated attacks against the most strongly de fended enemy targets. P/O. M. A. ENSOR. R.N.Z.A.F.. No. 500 Squadron. For citation see Sgt. Paige below. DISTINGUISHED FLVING MEDAL. Sgt. B. C. PAIGE, R.C.A.F.. No. 500 Squadron. —One night in January, 1942, P/O. Ensor ami Sgt. Paige were the pilot and observer respectively of an aircraft which was engaged on an opera tional sortie over enemy waters. A convoy of three ships was observed sailing through the ice R.A.F. in Russia HISTINGUISIIED FLVING CROSS. Wing Cdr. H. N. G. RAMSBOTTOM-ISIIERWOOD. A.E.C., No. 151 Wing, R.A.F. in Russia.—This officer has displayed great leadership and set a splendid example. He contributed materially to the successes obtained by our pilots in Russia. Squ. Ldr. A. H. -ROOK, NO. 81 Squadron.—This officer led the squadron with great skill and dash during combat when it destroyed 13 enemy air craft for the loss of only one of our own pilots. Sqn. Ldr. Rook has always fostered the fighting spirit in his fellow-pilots which, together with his leadership, was responsible for the excellent record of the squadron in Russia. Sqn Ldr. A. G. MILLER. NO. 134 Squadron.-This officer has led his squadron with high qualities of determination an' judgment. During the many escorts to Russian bomber aircraft, either led by himself or provided by his unit, not a single lfussian bomber was lost. THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy :— DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS P/O. A. BARR, R.A.A.F., No. 5 (R.A.A.F.) Squadron. This. officer, who commenced opera tional tflying in November, 1941, has displayed the greatest keenness and skill as a fighter pilot. In Air Commandant K. J. Trefusis^t#r6es, Director of the non-commissioned ofncergyfrfa training establishmen '•Jr A.F., if he West meeting senior ^England.
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