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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 1262.PDF
boo F LIJG SERVICE AVIATION by enemy fire. Despite this, he skilfully landed it in a field. On another occasion, after several combats and when running short of petrol, he was forced to leave his aircraft by parachute whilst over the sea. He was rescued some two hours.'later. He has destroyed a Measerschmitt 109 and assisted in the destruction of another. Act. Fit. U. J. C. ROBSON, R.A.F.V.R., No 118 Sqn.—This officer has been engaged on opera tional flying since November, 1940. He has com pleted a large number of sorties, many of which nave been over enemy-occupied territory. He has also participated in three daylight attacks on German battleships. Fit. tit. Robson has dis played great keenness to engage the enemy and hBs set an excellent example. l'/O. A. A. GLEN, R.A.F.V.R., No. 41 Sqn.— This officer has at all times shown the greatest keenness to engage the enemy, and he has played a large part in the squadron's activities daring recent months. Besides destroying at least three enemy aircraft in combat, P/O. Glen, has attacked many targets, causing much damage to the enemy. P/O. I. C. ORMSTON, R.C.A.F., No. 401 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn.—This officer has completed many sweeps, convoy patrols and other sorties. He has destroyed three enemy aircraft, probably de stroyed one and assisted in the destruction of mother. He has displayed exceptional keenness to engage the enemy. Act. Wing Cdr. J. P. RVIAND, R.A.A.F., No 13 Sqn.—This officer was appointed to command the advanced operational base at Namlea in the Moluccas, early in December, 1941, and later [luring that month, assumed command of No. 13 Sqn. at Ambon, off Serang. He took an active part in reconnaissance duties against the enemy and obtained much valuable information. He led every raid made by his squadron against Menada, Celebes, where enemy shipping was successfully attacked and bombed. From Ambon he com pleted approximately 250 hours' operational fly ing against the enemy. After leaving Ambon, immediately prior to the dapanese occupation, the squadron returned to Australia, and from there has since continued its reconnaissance duties and attacks against the enemy. In the course of these attacks Wing Cdr. Ryland led an extremely successful night raid against Japanese-occupied Dilli, Timor. His de votion to duty whilst flying, his personal courage and determination displayed in the face of heavy odds proved the inspiration of all under his command. Fit. Lt. R. A. DUNNE, R.A.A.F., No. 13 Sqn. —This officer was one of the original party which moved to Ambon early in December, 1941, and remained there until the time of the enemy occu pation at the end of January, 1942. While sta tioned at Ambon he continuously led his flight in operations against the enemy and took part in numerous reconnaissance flights and raids upon enemy shipping at Menada and Kema, Celebes enemy assembly bases. In these operations he completed over 200 hours' operational flying. When leading a flight in formation on the raid on the Japanese base at Tobi Island, his Squadron Leader crashed hut Fit. Lt. Dunne unhesitatingly took command and successfully completed the orig inal mission. On many raids completed by him against the enemy,' when losses were high owing to strons fiehter opposition and ground fire, he set the highest example of devotioj to duty, leading his flight with lourage, vigour, determination and complete disregard fur his personal safety. Since the return of his squadron to Australia he has continued to take pan in seaward reconnaissances and has led successful raids against the enemy at Koepang, Timor. F/O. W V. D WHITE, R.A.A.F., I\o. 2 Sqn.—This officer has completed a num ber of sea reconnaissances from Australia and other flights of a reconnaissance character in operating against the enemy in the Celebes- Ambon area. including a continuous reconnaissance oi the large invasion fleet, which was strongly supported by fighter aircraft. Despite fre quent attacks, F/O. White courageously, persistently, and with outstanding skill, con tinued his reconnaissance until the enemy were within 10 Hlile« of their objective. Although his aircraft was so seriously damaged that it could no longer be flown, his successful reconnaissance en abled the land forces to occupy the most favourable positions possible prior to attack. F/O. White's actions during this trying and difficult period constituted an epic story of courage, determina tion, skill and devotion to duty. Sqn. Ldr. T. H. BINGHAM HALL, No. 150 Sqn.—This officer has commanded a flight and has completed many suc cessful sorties over Germany, Italy and the occupied coun tries. During the winter months many of his flights have been completed in very adverse weather, hut he has shown great perseverance in locating and bombing his target. In March. 1942, when crossing the English coast on the outward journey, his wireless became unserviceable, but he completed his mission and, despite adverse weather, returned to base safely. Sqn. Ldr. (now Act. Wing Cdr.) G. G. STEAD, No. 204 Sqn.—This officer, who has completed over 6,000 hoars flying, of which over 800 hours is operational, has outstanding ability. He is the most brilliant and reliable pilot and navigator in the Squadron, who through his qualifications has always been given the hardest tasks calling for special skill. He has carried out operations from Shetlands, Iceland, the Mediterranean and West Africa under all conditions bv day and night. Sqn. Ldr. E. A. WARFIELD, R.A.F.O., No. 57 H.R.H. The Duke of Kent with Air Marshal Sir Leslie Gossage at the exhihjtitfJCf paintings by members of the Balloon Command. A?« Armourers sorting out the load of a Stirling. The bombs have to be put in the racks in a certain order so as to make up the proper sequence of sticks. Sqn.—Sqn. Ldr. Warfield has participated in operational sorties against targets in Germany and occupied territory and has displayed great perseverance in locating and bombing his target, from low altitudes, despite adverse weather and fierce opposition. His keenness and devotion to duty have had a most inspiring effect on his crews and have contributed largely to the maintenance of a high standard of morale in his flight. Act. Sqn. Ldr. L. MACD. HODGES, NO. 49 Sqn. —Sqn. Ldr. Hodges served with the squadron in I ranee, in 1940. when he displayed gallantry and determination. Since August, 1941, he has com manded a flight and has completed many opera tional missions, some of which have been under taken m daylight. Many of these sorties have been completed "in the face of most adverse weather and strong opposition from the enemy. Despite these difficulties, Sqn. Ldr. Hodges has frequently remained in heavily defended areas, for consider able periods, in order to ensure positive identifica tion of his target before bombing. Fit. Lt. R. V. GASCOYNE-CECIL, R.A.F.V.Rv NO. 61 Sqn.—This pilot completed two operat^iaal sorties before joining his present unit. He fc consistently displayed outstanding ability 3Hfc. determination in locating his targets and in press ing home his attacks in adverse weather and despite heavy opposition. Act. Fit. Lt. L. R. BAJIR, NO. 15 Sqn.—This office! has participated in sorties against Berlin, Bremen, Pilsen, Wilhelmshaven, Brest and Kiel, and has displayed great keenness and devotion to duty throughout. One day in January, 1942, he was the captain of an aircraft which was attacked by a series of enemy fighters and despite the fact that three of his crew were wounded in the initial attacks Fit. Lt. Barr succeeded in evading the enemy and returned to base safely. Act. Fit. Lt. J. S. BELTON, R.z\.F.V.R., No. 77 Sqn.—This officer maintained a high standard of keenness and devotion to duty. His cheerful dis position and outlook have always been an asset to squadron morale. Act. Fit. Lt. W. P. FERRIE, R.A.F.V.R., No. 50 Sqn.—Fit. Lt. Ferrie has completed 27 sorties as captain of aircraft. One day in August, 1941, he was detailed to bomb a target at Mannheim and despite intense anti-aircrait fire he descended to a low level to ensure hits on his target. Fit. Lt. Ferrie has at all times set a splendid example of cheerful devotion to duty and he has been an ••inspiration to the whole squadron Acfc-EH.. Lt, J. B. G. KING, R.A.F.V.R., No. 50 Sqn.—Fit. Lt. King completed successfully a num ber of solves as navigator. He was then appirf/ted captain af aaarcraft and has now completed a fjj'her Bomber of operational flights, displaying gallantry and outstandipg devotion to dutv. He has par ticipated in Aids against many targets in Ger many and was \ne of a crew selected for the com bined operation1? against Vaagso. On this occasion lie jw»s detailed Jo lay a smoke screen and he also \
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