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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 0787.PDF
APRIL 9TH, 1942 His Majesty the King inspecting air crews during a visit to a Halifax squadron. Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm News and Announcements The R.A.F. is Twenty-four TWENTY-FOUR sears ago. on April 1st. 1918. the R.A.F. was first officially formed, under ^the_. terms of the Air Force (Constitution) Act of 1917. The amalgamation of the R.F.C. and the R.N.A.S., recommended by the Air Orgaui-satioii Committee under General Smuts, became an accomplished fact. Britain's two air arms were merged into ft single fighting Service. An Air Council fend been set up in January, 1918. First Air Minister wag Viscount Rothermere. He was succeeded, on the creation of the R.A.F.. by Viscount Weir. Shortly afterwards, in January. 1919, Mr. Winston Churchill became Secretary of State for War and Air, a post lie held lor two years. •Chief of the Air Staff at the time of the R.A.F.'s formation was Major-General Sir Hugh (now Viscount) Trenehard. Following the creation of the Force. Major-General Sykes took over for a year; then in April, 1919, Lord Trenchard again became: C.A.S., holding the post for ten years— the longest tenure of any holder of tJiat key posi. lion in the Empire's defence. The R.A.F. ended its first year of life as the biggest and most powerful air force in the world. At the time of the Armistice Britain's R.A.F. comprised 188 operational squadrons with a first line strength of 3,300 aircraft. Altogether the R.A.F. possessed 22.647 aircraft, 103 airships, and had a total personnel strength of 291.175. in cluding over 27.000 officers, of whom more than one-half were trained pilots. This mighty force was backed by the world's greatest and most efficient, aircraft industry, with an output of about 3,500 airframes a. month, and an even larger out- • put of aircraft engines. During its twenty-four years' existence the RvjIJ F. has fought in two major wars and several minor ones. It has gained many victories; fared many vicissitudes. TTrider the disarmament policy •he R.A.F. at one time was reduced to the level "f fifth or sixth among the air forces of the world. But its training and its equipment were kept at a •ugh standard. In the davs of peace it set up records for speed, distance and height which amazed the world. To-day, again grown powerful, with a strength now equalling that of its most powerful enemy, (he German Luftwaffe, it is figlit- mg offensively on several air fronts. From the Arctu to the tropics; from the Atlantic to ths tropical jungles of the East—the B.A.F. carries the war hard against the Axis aggressors organ ised for war and plunder. Always the R.A.F. has lived up to the spirit of its motto, " Per Ardua ad Astra." THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed iu flying operations against the enemy : — BAB TO THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. Act. Sqn. Ldr R. E. P. BBOOKEE. D.F.C., NO. 232 Sqn.—This officer has continuously led the .-quadron into action against largely superior numbers of enemy aircraft at Singapore and in the Netherlands East Indie.,. He has displayed gallantry, determination and cheerfulness in the face of heavy odds. Act. Sqn. Ldr. K. W. TRUSCOTT, D.F.C.. R.A.A.F.. No. 452 (R.A.A.F.) Sqn.—This officer is. a skilful and courageous fighter pilot. Since May, 1941, he has participated in a large number of sorties and convoy escorts. Throughout, he has shown a fine fighting spirit and, in combat, he has destroyed 11. probably destroyed three and damaged a further two hostile aircraft. One day in February. 1942, Sqn. Ldr. Truscott participated in an attack on an ecemy destroyer which was left in a damaged condition with black smoke issuing from behind the bridge. The next day. he assisted in the destruction of a German floatplane DISTINGUISHED FLYINCI CROSS. Fit. Lt. K. R, SulTON, No. 23 Sqn—This officer has proved himself to be a first class operational pilot. He participated in the intensive air fight ing in France during May and .tunc, 1940. Dnr ing one sortie, he destroyed one and damaged another enemy aircraft before being shot down himself. Since then. Fit. Lt. Sutton has taken part in numerous patrols both by day and by- night. As a flight commander he has shown ster ling qualities and lie has been mainly responsible " r the high standard of efficiency of his flight. Act. Fit. Lt. A. E. BERRY. NO. 3 Sqn.-This officer has taken part in operational flying over a long period during which he has participated in sorties over -memy territory, attacks on shipping and in night fighting operations. As a flight com mander.he has shown great skill and leadership, combined with excellent organising abilities. Dur ing January. 1941. Fit Lt. Berry shot down a Hcinkel 111. probably destroyed a. Junkers 88 and assisted in the destruction of a Dornicr 215. Act. Fit. Lt. J. T. SHAW, R.A.F.V.R., No, 3 Sqn.—This officer 'has been engaged on operational flying since November, 1940. He has taken part in operations against, enemy aircraft by night : numerous daylight sorties over enemy acenpieri territory and in many attacks on shipping. Fit. Lt. Shaw has ied his detachment with exceptional i£fi ST^O
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