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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 1002.PDF
464 SERVICE determination, were worthy of the highest trad of the Htrvirr. Fit. l.t. E. J. S. WoOTTON, No. 69 Sqn.-Flt. Lt. Wootton has completed a large number ol operational flights in the Middle East. His recon naissance work has been executed with exceptional skill and gallantry and has produced most valu able results. Throughout a long period, he has shown great devotion to duty. Act. Fit. Lt. A. R. H. BAETON, R.A.F.V.TL, No. 124 Sqn.—This officer has proved himself to be a keen and courageous pilot. He fought with great distinction in the Battle of Britain and de stroyed live enemy aircraft before he hiras:lf was ihbt down and severely wounded. Fit. Lt. Barton resumed operational flying in February, 1941, since when he has participated in many sorties enlist the enemy. Throughout; he has set a mag nificent example. Act. Fit. Lt. E. P. W. BOCOCK, R.A.F.V.R., No." 602 Sqn.—Since July, 1941, this officer has par ticipated in many operational sorties. Throughout, he has displayed courage, initiative and great energy. He has destroyed at. least three enemy aircraft, two of which he shot down on one sortie. Act. Fit. Lt, C. N. WAWN,, R.A.A.F.; No. 452 (R..A.A.F.) Sqn.--This officer has completed a large number of operational sorties, lie has proved him self to lie a sterling pilot. and a good leader. He has destroyed at, least two hostile aircraft. Wing Cdr. J. M. LEREW, R.A.A.F. Fit. Lt. D. W. I. CAMPBELL, R.A.A.F. These officers have displayed outstanding courage, determination, skill and tenacity in the course of bombing raids on enemy positions in New Britain Fit. Lt. W. A. PEDniNA. R.A.A.F.—In February 1942. this officer took part in a low-level attack on enemy destroyers and transports, in the face oi intense tire, at Gasmata, New Britain. Later in February he carried out a single daylight recon naissance of enemy shipping at Rabaul. In spite ol being attacked by enemy fighters and ground defences and having his gunner killed and air craft damaged, he completed his reconnaissance »nd returned over 500 miles to his base with extremely valuable information. Wing Cdr. T. B. COOPER, NO. 502 Sqn.—While in command of the squadron, this officer displayed treat powers ol leadership and raised the squad ron to a high state of efficiency. He insisted on taking his place on the roster of captains of air craft and, as such, he curried out 38 operational •orties, of which the average duration was of more than nine hours. He invariably took the more difficult and hazardous tasks to himself. In carrying out his flights against the enemv, far out over the Atlantic and in extremely bad weather, both by day and by night. Wing Cdr. Cooper set a magnificent example o! fortitude and •kill. Act. Sqn. Ldr. L. C. DEANE,- No. 144 Sqn.— This officer has completed his operational sorties with a high degree of success. He has partici pated in attacks on many ol the enemy's dock yard towns and industrial centres. As flight I'liimander he has shown marked enthusiasm and although his duties both in the air and on the ground have been long and arduous, he has per formed them with great willingness, He has un doubtedly contributed materially to the successes achieved. Act, Fit, Lt F. A. DRURY, R.A.F.V.R., No. 77 flqn.—This officer has performed i-onsistent.lv good work as pilot with excellent results. De spite adverse weather, searchlight activity and heavy anti-aircraft fire, he has taken infinite trouble to complete his tasks. He has al.va-.- Part of the training of Wren photo graphers includes six hours' flying to get air experience. The girl has just landed from a flight in a Blacks burn Shark II. shown a fine fighting spirit and he has pressed -home his attacks with great determination. Amongst the many places he has attacked arc Brest, Cuxhaven, Hamburg, La Pallice, Stavanger and Wilhelmshaven. P/O. N. CLAYES, NO. 9 Sqn.—As a wireless oper ator-air gunner, this officer has been engaged on operational flying since January, 1940. He has participated in many sorties over enemy and enemy- occupied territory, including attacks on Bremen, Den Holder, Brest, and other highly defended areas. On one occasion in March, 1940. during a reconnaissance flight over N.W. Germany, his wire less equipment became unserviceable on the re turn journey. By means of an Aldis lamp, P/O. Clayes suc ceeded in obtaining a. position fix from one of H.M. ships, thus- greatly assisting in the safe return of his aircraft. P/O. Clayes participated in operations in France in support of the B.E.F. when enemy troop concentrations, dumps, batteries and searchlights were successfully attacked and a supply train crossing a viaduct near Naraur was blown up. As squadron signals officer, he has dis played a hiirh degree of efficiency and zeal. T'.'O. J. H. DAY. R.A.F.V.I!,. No. 50 Sqn.-P/O. Day, a South African, joined the squadron in Sep- MAY 7TH, 3 "12 * AVIATION tember. 1941. He. proved himself to be a fine navigator, and, with one exception, he has always successfully attacked his original target. The ex ception was owing to extremely bad weather, but, even so, an alternative target was found and bombed. He has participated in attacks on Kiel, which he bombed from 1.800 feet, Hamburg and Essen (at the latter place a hit was scored on Krupp's works), and finally on December 27th, 1941. !ic participated in the combined operations on Vaagso. His task was to bomb the coastal defence guns on Rugsundo Island. By-careful navigation he arrived according to schedule and skilfully guided his pilot to.the target. During the bombing run 'lis aircraft w,as subjected to fierce anti-aircraft fire, and one shell burst inside his compartment. Although seriously wounded. P/O. Day held the pilot on the course and released his bombs right on the enemy's guns from 150 feet. He then told his captain tbc course to follow for base before he lost consciousness. When the aircraft was subsequently safely landed at base, it was found that P/O. Day had sustained multiple shrapnel wounds to his face and chest, and that his left leg had received an injury which necessitated an amputation. Throughout, his bravery and devotion to '"$&& were outstanding. P/O. Bay is now recovering in hospital and confidently expects to resume operational flying. • P/O. N. E. GOLDSMITH, R.A.F.V.R.. No. 50 Sqn.—As captain of aircraft; this offlcpr has been engaged on operational flying since September, 1941. He has at all times shown the greatest tenacity in completing his allotted task. He has participated in mafty sorties, including a -low- level attack on Kiel, which was bombed from 1,800 feet. P/O. Goldsmith took part \n the combined operations on Vaagso, and, on this occa sion, he attacked bis target from only 150 feet. During the engagement his navigator was seri ously wounded On the return journey, P/O. Goldsmith flew to ihe nearest airfield in the Shetlands, made a safe landing, and immediately procured medical assist ance for his wounded comrade. His prompt action probably saved the navigator's life. On February 12th. 1942, this officer partici pated in an attack on the German warships on their voypge through the Channel. Following a methodical search, he flew across the convoy and was met by fierce anti-aircraft fire. Undeterred,' he pressed home his attack and released his bombs across one of the battleships from 800 feet. After regaining height, his aircraft was hit by shell-fire and it became uncontrollable. P/O. Goldsmith skilfully regained control, however, and was then able to fly the aircraft safely back to this country. Throughout he showed great courage and superb airmanship. P/O. J. W. HANNANT, R.A.F.V.R., No. 51 Sqn. —This officer joined the squadron as an N.C.O. in September, 1940. and for nearly a year was almost continually employed on operational flying. He quickly showed himself to be a first-class wirelest operator. He has performed valuable work in training new crews and, although since June his energies have been mainly concentrated on this, • his keenness has secured him a place on a crew for two further operations. During his operational missions he has participated in attacks on many important enemy targets, inclucMng Berlin, Turin, Wilhelmshaven, Kiel and Brest. Fit, Lt, R. D. YULE, NO. 501 Sqn.-Flt. Lt Yule took part in operations in Franre in May, ,1940, Back in its own roost. A Hurricane "which was captured and used by the Germans now ref5feture#intact on Gambut aerodrome.
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