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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 1316.PDF
Air Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas, K.C.B., D.F.C., M.C., A-O-C. in C. Fighter Command. He has destroyed at least five and damaged seven enemy aircraft; lour of these he damaged in one combat. P/O. A. F. TAYLOR (R..A.F.V.R.), No. 9 Sqn.-One night in April. 1942, this officer captained an aircraft which attacked Rostock successfully. On the return journey his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter, fire from which killed the rear gunner and inflicted much damage to the aircraft, causing the lear turret to catch fire. At this time the second pilot was at the con trols, but P/O. Taylor, although wounded in the back, immediately occupied his seat and regained control of the aircraft, which was diving towards the sea. Skilfully evading a further attack from the enemy, who then broke off the engagement, P/O. Taylor set course for base, although a fire was blazing fiercely at the stern of the fuselage. Despite the efforts of other members of the crew, the namoe could not be entirely subdued, but P/O. Taylor continued his course, and, displaying great skill, he finally flew his almost uncontrol lable aircraft back to this country, where he landed safely with the undercarriage retracted. In the face of extremely difficult and harassing circumstances, this officer, despite physical pain due to his wounds, displayed great skill and gal lantry. He has completed numerous sorties, and he has always shown great thoroughness and determination to complete his tasks. P/O. F. W. WALKER, No. 608 Sqn.—This officer has completed numerous sorties, including attacks on the enemy's shipping, ports and airfields. Un deterred by the heaviest opposition, he''has in variably pressed home his attacks with vigour. During recent attacks he has scored hits on de stroyers, an armed ship, and on supply vessels. In May, 1942, during a patrol off the Norwegian coast, he observed a destroyer and four mine sweepers. Skilfully approaching the destroyer, he made a low-level attack on it, releasing his bombs from a height of only 100 feet. It is believed that three hits were obtained. This officer has at all times shown outstanding courage and keenness. P/O. J. R. N. MOLESWOP.TH. R.A.A.F., No. 114 Sqn., and P/O. E, F. K. DENNY, R.A.F.V.R., No. 114 Sqn.-One night in April, 1942, P/O.s Moles-worth and Denny were the pilot and observer re spectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Eind hoven airdrome. On the outward journey the air gunner reported that his guns would not fire. Nevertheless, despite the danger of interception by enemy fighters, P/O. Molesworth flew on to his allotted target, which he bombed from 2,000 feet. On the return journey his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter and sustained much damage. The instrument panel was shot away, the wireless rendered unserviceable, and the hydraulics put out of. action, while a large hole was torn in the Boor of the cockpit and the aircraft was riddled with holes. Nevertheless, P/O. Molesworth, ably assisted by P/O. Denny, who gave a running commentary on the attacker's movements, finally shook off the attacker and headed for this country. Immedi ately following the action. P/O. Denny, despite the holes in the floor of the aircraft, climbed through the bomb well to make contact with the air gunner. P/O. Molesworth flew the damaged aircraft back to this country but, shortly after crossing the coast at. 700 feet, the starboard en- Kjne failed. Displaying great skill, hnwever, he force-landed in the darkness, with the under carriage retracted. On impact the aircraft caught fire, but, with complete disregard for danger,- P/O. Denny en tered the rear cockpit and rescued the trapped air gunner. Throughout the operation these officers showed great courage and set an example worthy of high praise. Act. Fit. Lt. A. W. RAW, R.A.F.V.R., No. 144 Sqn.—Fit. Lt. Raw has completed many success ful raids, and despite- adverse weather has shown great perseverance in locating and attacking his target. He has displayed gallantry and devotion to duty during raids into enemy territory. F/O. R. B MILBURN, R.A.F.V.R., No. 148 Sqn. —This officer has completed several hundred opera tional flying hours. He participated in attacks against targets in Germany and German-occupied territory and in the Middle East. F/O. Milburn has invariably displayed high courage and devotion to duty. One night in November, 1941, whilst force-landing his aircraft in foggy weather, he was in jured about the head and face. His keenness was such that, on being discharged from hospital, he insisted on immediately returning to operational living. Fit. Lt. V. A. RICKETTS, R.A.F.V.R.—On the morning of March 4th, 1942, as pilot and ob server respectively, Fit. Lt. Ricketts and Sgt. Lukhmanoff were detailed to take photographs of the Renault works near Paris, which had been attacked by our bombers on the previous night. The weather was extremely bad, and necessitated the aircraft flying in clouds and bv instruments until Paris was reached. Here cloud was about 500 feet and visibility poor. On reaching the target area, about 35 minutes were spent in locating the works and taking photo graphs; the results obtained proved extremely valuable. On a previous occasion Fit. Lt. Ricketts, accompanied by Sgt. Lukhmanoff, obtained valuable photographs. This .operation wras also undertaken despite fog and poor visibility at their base aerodrome. As pilot and observer, they have shown out standing courage and ability. Lt. P. V. LONG-INNES. 3.A.A.F., No. 21 (S.A.A.F.) Sqn.—This officer is an out standing bomber pilot. His tireless efforts, brilliant flying and complete disregard of danger have had a marked effect, on the morale of the members of his squadron dur ing the present campaign. On one occasion, whilst on patrol over the sea, he observed four Junkers 52s which he attacked and damaged. During the en gagement his aircraft sustained damage, causing it to lose height rapidly. Nevertheless, flying on one engine, Lt. Long- Innes reached the coast and, flying low, he passed over strong enemy forces who opened fire. He finally flew on until near base where he The ground crew pre pare to handle a U.S. Navy blimp at Lake- hurst, New Jersey. The Vee formation is by way of correctness, not sentiment. JUNE ISTH, 1942 SERVIC successfully crash-landed with the undercarriage re tracted. Throughout, he showed great skill and endurance. P/O. D. M. OROSSLEY, R.A.F.V.R., No. 148 Sqn. —This officer has completed numerous sorties in volving a large number of hours of flying. Through out,- he has displayed a high standard of courage and ability. One night in March, 1942, owing to engine trouble he was compelled to return to an advanced landing ground and later" he was forced to alight on the sea when within sight of the Egyptian coast. He accomplished this without any of the crew sustaining injury and all were able to embark safely in the dinghy. They were rescued after a few hours. Some nights later, during an operation against Benghazi, P/O. Crossley succeeded in flying to an advanced landing ground, some 450 miles distant,, on one engine, and in making a safe landing in the darkness. Act, Fit. Lt. G. R. WATSON, R.A.F.V.R., No. 57 Sqn.—Fit. Lt. Watson has participated »JiL many hombing raids, including targets at BrenvSr" Kiel, Mannheim, Hamburg and Cologne. As an air gunner he has shown outstanding ability. F/O. D. A. GREEN, R.A.F.V.R., No. 207 Sqn. —This officer has shown great perseverance in locating and bombing his target accurately. He is a keen, conscientious and efficient captain of aircraft. F/O. E. M. C. GUEST, NO. 200 Sqn.—This officer has now completed over 1,000 hours operational flying. His qualities of endurance are phenomenal, his ability as a pilot is exceptional, and his devo tion to duty is of the highest order. All his work has been done quietly and efficiently. He has set an excellent example to the younger pilots of the Squadron. W/O. E. C. WAVELL.—W/O. Wavell is an ex tremely efficient navigator. During the past five months he has participated in operations which have resulted in damage being inflicted on at least ten of the enemy's convoys. The majority of his sorties have necessitated a high degree of naviga tional skill whilst flying over the sea. W/O. Wavell has displayed great devotion to duty and he has undoubtedly contributed in a large measure to the high standard of efficiency of his crew. W/O. W. J. HEMMING, NO. 61 Sqn.—W/O. Hemming has completed eleven operational sorties prior to joining his present unit. His skill as an observer, combined with a fine offensive spirit, keenness and devotion to duty, have contributed largely to the successes achieved. W/O. R- LAMBERT, D.F.M., No. 15 Sqn.—W/O. Lambert has participated in numerous sorties, including attacks on Berlin, Wilhelmshaven and the Ruhr. He has shown outstanding ability as a navigator and bomb aimer. W/O. H. V. PETERSON, R.C.A.F., No. 35 Sqn. —W/O. Peterson has completed many operational sorties, of which 13 have been as captain of air craft. One night in April, 1942, he was detailed to attack the German naval base at Trondheim. On arrival over the target, despite the intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire which he encountered, he dived to a very low altitude and pressed home his attack. On the following night he carried
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