FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1942
1942 - 1317.PDF
JUNE I8TH, 1942 Jb- ATION out f.nother low-level attack on the same target. His aircraft sustained severe damage, and one engine was pat out of action- With great skill and judgment, W./O. Peterson succeeded in flying his aircraft to an emergency .landing ground where he made a safe landing. BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. Fit, Sgt. R. B. HESSEL*N, D.F.M., No. 249 Sqn.—During a period of four days' operations in May; 1942, this airman destroyed five enemy aircraft, bringing his victories to ten. Although fighting at great odds in the heavy raids on Malta, Fit, Sgt- Hesselyn never hesitates in his efforts to destroy the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty are outstanding. DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. Sgt. G. B. LUKHMANOFF.—For citation see Fit. Lt. Rieketts. Fit. Sgb, &, A. W. COOK, R.A.F.V.R.—Whilst ^jrying out a sortie over Benghazi, this airman's MPtaift was attacked by six enemy fighters. Although his gun was rendered useless by icing conditions and he was in grave danger from bullet s entering the cockpit, Fit. Sgt. Cook gave cool and skilful direction* to the pilot and endeavoured to obtain photographs of the enemy aircraft. Burins the many operational flights carried out by thi> airman from England and in the Middle East, he has at all times displayed extreme coolness and devotion to duty. Fit. Sgt. H. T. HAOGAR. No. 201 Sqn.—This air man has been a member of an air crew of London and Sunderland aircraft since September, 1939. and has completed 1,520 operational living hours by day and 161 hours by night. He has dis played great energy and resource :md has set a high standard to his colleagues. When on an anti submarine patrol in August. 1940, his aircraft was attacked by a Dornier 215." Fit. Sgt. Haggar manned the bow turret gun and after a running fight the enemy was driven off in flames and ap peared to be losing height. Several members of Fit. Sgt. Haggar's crew were wounded. Fit. Sgt, D. R. TERRINGTON. R.A.F.V.R.—This airman has completed over -600 hours operational flying. As wireless operator-air gunner, he con tributed materially to the successes achieved in attacks on some ten enemy convoys. Fit. Sgt. Terrington has taken part in many hazardous enterprises and, on one occasion in bad weather, his ski'.l was largely responsible for the safe return of his aircraft. Fit. Sgt. (now P/O.) E. A. TETT, NO. 240 Sqn. —As a Fit. Sgt. this member of air crew was employed a? wireless operator-air gunner, and nas completed 1,154 operational flying hours since the outbreak of hostilities. Throughout the period of sustained operations over the North Sea and the Western approaches he set a very fine example of devotion to duty. In addition to his duties as wireless operator he has shown leadership and ha?, displayed a fine general knowledge of flying boats, thus materially assisting various captains in build ing up the best crew in the squadron. . Sgt. A. I). BRISBANE, NO. 148 Sqn.—This airman was the wireless operator in an aircraft involved Air Marshal A. T. Harris, C.B., O.B.E., A.F.C., A-O-C. in C. Bomber Command. Air Marshal Harris has been promoted to the rank of Knight Commander in the Order of the Bath in this year's Birthday Honours. in difficulties while over Greece. It became neces sary to return to an advanced landing ground, with only one engine functioning in the aircraft. The landing ground was covered by fog. The cool ness and efficiency displayed by Sgt. Brisbane con tributed largely to the safe landing effected. Sgt, E. L. JONES, R.A.A.F.—On one occasion when his aircraft was attacked by enemy aircraft and the cockpit was being riddled with bullets, Sgt. Jones displayed great devotion to duty by continuing to take photographs and making notes. He has carried out many reconnaissance flights and on all occasions he has displayed outstanding ability, skill and devotion to duty. Sgt. D. H. PHELAN, S.A.A.F., No. 21 (S.A.A.F.) Sqn.—This airman is an outstanding wireless opera tor-air gunner. Throughout the numerous sorties in which he has participated, he has displayed a high standard of skill and determination. Pn December, 1941, during a patrol over the sea near Derna, his pilot intercepted four Junkers 52s. In the ensuing engagement, Sgt. Phelan. assisted by his co-gunner, destroyed one and damaged two of the enemy's aircraft. He has displayed great courage and rendered most valuable service. Sgt. H. A. BROWN, No. 35 Sqn.—Sgt. Brown has completed many opera tional sorties. One night in April, 1942, as captain of an aircraft, he was detailed to attack the German Naval base at Trondheim. Throughout this flight he displayed the greatest skill and airmanship. Sgt. Brown pressed home his attack in the face of intense opposition. He displayed bravery and cool determina tion. Fit. Sgt. K. A. CLACK. No. 76 Son.—This airman has com pleted many successful sorties, including attacks on targets at Berlin, Mannheim, Stutt gart and Stettin. One night in April, 1942, he was the cap tain of an aircraft detailed to attack the German naval baBe at Trondheim. After releas ing the bombs his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, which caused one engine to fail and the bomb doors could not be closed. He succeeded in re turning to base and landed safely with the bomb doors still open. The following night, as his former aircraft was not service able, Fit. Sgt. Clack volun teered to fly another aircraft to attack the naval base again. He delivered his bombs suc cessfully and machine-gunned g u n emplacements. H i s c o u r a g e and determination have been outstanding. Fit. Sgt. W. J. PORRITT, R.C.A.F.. No. 10 Sqn. —As an air gunner, Fit. Sgt. Porritt has displayed great skill and coolness in combat. During a daylight attack on the German battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gnehenau, his aircraft was at tacked by four Messerschmttt 109*s. Using his guns most effectively, Fit. Sgt. Porritt shot down one of the attackers in flames, probably destroyed another, and warded off the remaining two until fighter assistance arrived. In the encounter. Fit. Sgt. Porritt was wounded in the face and arms. One morning in May, 1942, whilst returning from an operation over Germany, he engaged a Messerschmitt 109 from close range. Fol lowing a well-directed burst of fire, the enemy aircraft was observed to plunge vertically towards the ground, where, a few seconds later, it appar ently burst into flames. On both these occa sions this airman undoubtedly saved his aircraft from destruction. Fit. Sgt. G. P. ROCHFORD, R.A.F.V.R., No. 10 Sqn.—One night in April. 1942. Fit. Sgt. Rochford was detailed to attack the German naval base at Trondheim. On arriving over the target he encountered fierce anti-aircraft fire. Fit. Sgt. Rochford dived down to a very low level and pressed home his attack. His aircraft sustained severe damage, but he succeeded in returning to base. On the following night he was again detailed to attack the naval base. On the outward jour ney the rear gunner reported that the guns in the rear turret were unserviceable and beyond his repair. Fit. Sgt. Rochford continued on his mission and pressed home his attack from a low level. His second pilot and first wireless operator were seriously wounded and bis aircraft was holed in many places. Fit. Sgt. Rochford has displayed groat courage, perseverance and devo tion to duty. Sgt. M. D. GRIBBIN, No. 10 Sqn.—Sgt. Gribbin has completed many* sorties, of .which the last nine have been as captain of aircraft. One night in April, 1942 he was detailed to attack the Ger man naval base at Trondheim. On arrival over the target area he encountered intense anti aircraft fire. Despite this, he dived through the barrage to a low level and dropped his bombs. The following night he repeated the attack with similar determination. He has displayed courage and gallantry of a high standard. Sgt. F. S. HiLEY. R.C.A.F.. No. 420 (R.C.A.FJ Sqn.—-One night in May, 1942, this airman was the pilot of "an aircraft which attacked Stuttgart. On the return journey the aircraft was hit bjr ;u;l i-aircraft, fire. Shortly afterwards, it was en gaged by a Messerschmitt 110, the fire 'from which killed the rear gunner and damaged th^ aircraft. The enemy fighter was driven off ami, it is believed, destroyed. Although on*-of the engines of his aircraft was put out of action, the electrical system destroyed and both the pilot's and navigator's compasses damaged. Sgt. ITiley skilfully flew his damaged aircraft back to this country and landed safely in a field. He displayed great skill, courage and deter mination. Set. W. J. MAITLAND, R.C.A.F., No. 420 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn.-Sgt. Maitland was the captain of an aircraft which attacked Stuttgart one night in May, 1942. Whilst crossing the enemy's coast on his return hi? aircraft was caught in a con* of searchlights and hit by anti-arcraft fire. On« engine was set on fire and Sgt. Maitland was wounded on the right side of the chest. Despite this, he kept his aircraft well under control and, by the appropriate use of the fire extinguisher.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
