FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1942
1942 - 0742.PDF
FLIGHT APRIL 2ND, 1942 United States Army Air Corps takes to gliding. ^Aircraft towing is used for launching three gliders at a time. DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. Fit. Sgt. J. \V. CREEDON, R.C.A.F., No. 407 (R.O.A.F.) Sqn. Sgt. H. C. EVERETT, NO. 407 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn. Bgt. G. HANCOX, NO. 407 I R.C.A.F. Sqn Fit. Sgt. Oreedon, Sgt. Hancox, ajut Sgt. Everett were members of the crew of a Hudson which made a daring low-level attack on an enc-niy destroyer escorting the battleships. Fit. Sgt. Creedon, the pilot, descended through cloud at 400 feet and sighted the Herman destroyer directly below. "Diving through fierce flak to 200 Jeet, he released his bombs, which straddled the enemy warship. As he turned away to climb back into the cloud the Hudson was attacked by a Ju.88. Sgt. Everett, rear gunner, opened fire with his turret guns, and the enemy aircraft broke off the en gagement. THE KING hap been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy : — DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER. Fit. Lt. A. WARBURTON. D.F.C and Kir.—This officer has carried out many missions each of which has demanded the highest degree of coinage :' • a and skill. On one occasion, whilst carrying cut a reconnaissance of Taranto, Fit. Lt. Warburton made two attempts to penetrate the harbour, although as there was much low cloud this entailed flving at a height of 50 feet over an enemy battle ship. In spite of the failure of his port engine and repeated attacks from enemy aircraft he com pleted his mission and made a safe return. On another occasion he obtained photographs of Tripoli, in spite of enemy fighter patrols over the harbour. In March, 1942. Fit. Lt. "Warburton carried out, a reconnaissance of Palermo, and obtained photo- grrphs revealing the damage caused by our attacks. This officer has never failed to obtain photographs from a very low altitude, regardless of enemy opposition. -His work has been most valuable and he has displayed great skill and tenacitv. Act. 8qn. Ldr. N. J. MOWAT, No. 607 Sqn.— Since the outbreak of war, Sqn. Ldr. Mowat has completed 150 defensive patrols and 30 fighter operations over enemy territory; eight of the latter missions were carried out during the evacuation from Dunkirk when he damaged two MesseTschmitt 109's. One day in June, 1940, this officer led a section of three aircraft which attacked the air drome at Rouen Boos and damaged at least 20 er-emv aircraft-. More recently, Sqn. Ldr. Mowat has led successful attacks en power stations, air dromes and barge concentra tions in enemy occupied terri tory. In addition, severa 1 enemy anti-aircraft posts have been put out of action. Sqn. Ldr. Mowat has also taken part in attacks against enemy shipping, during which five enemy vessels have been damaged. On the 12th Febru ary, 1942, during operations against the German battleships and their escorts, Sqn. Ldr. Mowaf, in the face of fierce enemy opposition, was person ally responsible for the destruc tion of a vessel in the convoy. This officer has consistently displayed leadership of the highest order, and his deter mination and complete disre gard of persona] danger have been an inspiration to his squadron. Act. Wing Cdr. C. "B. B. WALLIS — After participating in the campaign in the Western Desert, Wing Cdr. Wallis took his squadron to Burma and im mediately went into action. In all the important operations carried out by the squadron in Burma his qualities of leader ship have done much to main tain its high morale. On several occasions Wing Cdr. Wallis's aircraft has been severely damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire. SECOND BAR TO THE DISTIN GUISHED FLYING CROSS. Act. Winsr Cdr. F. R. CAREY, D.F.C.. D.F.M.—When leading the squadron or wing this officer has displayed high quali-^ ties of leadership, nnd has se a high example bv his courag and devotion to duty. DISTINGUISHED FLYINOJ nil;; sh„V He can release eight tons of bombs at once. The bom* aimer of a Short Stirling at action statioiu.v' / ties of leadership, and has consistently great keenness and devotion to duty. Act. Sqn. Ldr. W. A. SMITH, No. 229 Sqn.— One day in January, 1942, Sqn. Ldr. Smith was leading the squadron whilst it was operating as escort to a formation of bombers in the El Agheila area when an attack was made by enemy fighters in greatly superior numbers. Displaying great skill, Sqn. Ldr. Smith led his format-ion against the enemy fighters repeatedly, but always returned to the bombers before they could be attacked by other enemy aircraft. He was himself eventually shot down whilst engaging an enemy fighter, but at a result of his courage and qualities of leadership all the bombers returned safely. Sqn. Ldr. Smith Las been engaged on operations since the beginning of the war, and has completed several hundred operational flying hours. He has destroyed six enemy aircraft and probably destroyed and damaged a further seven. P/O. N. F. DUKE, R.A.F.V.A., No. 112 Sqn.-One day in February, 1942, P/O. Duke was the leader of a section of a wing when he sighted 35 enemy aircraft. He informed the wing leader and led his section to attack. In the ensuing combat 11 enemy fighters were destroyed by the squadron, two being destroyed by P/O. Duke. This officer's leadership materially contributed to the success achieved. He has destroyed eight enemy aircraft and probablv destroyed and damaged a further six. ACT. FLT. LT. D. E. STREET. R.A.F.V.R., No. 61 Sqn.—This officer has carried out numerous sorties as captain of aircraft. By his thorough ness in preparation for his flights, combined with determination and vigour in pressing home his attacks, Fit. Lt. Street has set an outstanding example. He has carried out successful attacks against targets in G.elsenkirchen, Brest. Cologne, Hamburg, Aachen. Kiel and many other imr«\ant objectives. His gallantry and devotion vjlit? have been worthy of high praise. F/O. P. C. BIRCH, R.A.F.V.R., No. 20* ^P»-In August, 1941, this officer was the pilot and captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne. During the flight his aircraft was held by enemy searchlights and heavily shelled. It was then sub jected to an attack by an enemy fighter which was skilfully evaded. F/O. Birch "flew on"t6wards Tiis target but. some ten minutes later, the enemy fighter returned to the attack and inflicted severe damage to the aircraft which went into an uncon trollable dive. • • Orders to stan d-by to abandon aircraft were given, but F/O. Birch regained control at between 2,000-3.000 feet. The aircraft vibrated badly, but F/O. Birch decided- to attempt the return flight to this country and. displaying a high standard of airmanship and determination, eventually reached base and made a safe landing. On another occasion when returning from Dusseldorf, he descended to a low altitude and machine-gunned targets of military importance, including a train. This officer has always dis played great determination and keenness. FVO. G.-T. A. LEWIS, R.A.F.V.R.. No. 61 Sqn,— In the role of irar gunner this officer has taken part in numerous sorties of a determined character. On *one occasion in the Berlin area, his pilot descended to a low altitude and .F/O. Lewis assisted another in silencing three anti-aircraft posts by machine gun fire. -On another occasion, he machine-gunned trains from only 300^._feet. He has consistently displayed great courage and devotion to duty. F/O. I. C. K. SWALES, D.F.M., No. 11 „ This officer has carried out many sorties involving attacks against the majority of important and highly defended targets in jGrermany and in occupied territory. Tn "November. 1941. he par ticipated in a raid on Berlin and, despite intense opposition, he coolly carried 'out a successful bombing attack. This officer has always shown courage and determination in the face of the enemy. *, an F/O. A. de Q. WALKER, R.A.F.V.R., No. 49 ttiqn.—The majority of the flights undertaken >y this officer have been in the role "of captaifli 300. feet. k<|rfe>e.^, il%ah —
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
