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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 1509.PDF
JULY I6TH, 1942 SERVICE No. 50 sustained by his aircraft, this officer flew it back to base and landed without further damage or injury to the crew. Fit. Lt. Catanach has made successful attacks on Hamburg, Essen, Cologne, Lorient and Lubeck. Act. Fit. Lt. M. E. EVANS, R.A.F.V.B.. No. 149 Sqn.—This airman pilot has com pleted sorties against a wide range of enemy targets, including Berlin, Kiel, Stettin, Brest and Essen. He has always shown great enthusiasm and determina tion in the performance of his tasks. On one occasion, when detailed to attack in airdrome in Norway, although he had only 2^ hours in which to make his pre parations, he carried out a most success ful raid. On another occasion, when attacking Berlin, his aircraft was forced down almost to ground level. Despite this, he bombed his target from 100 feet. On the return journey his aircraft was attacked by a Ju.88. Fit. Lt. Evans skilfully evaded his attacker, and it is believed that the enemy aircraft was shot down. This officer, who has been employed as captain of aircraft since April, 1941, has set a fine example. Act. Fit. Lt. J. F. C. GALLAHER. R.A.F.V.H., No. 51 Sqn.—This officer lias taken part in raids on Dusseldorf, Vilhehnshaven, Frankfurt, Hamburg a ml many other well-def ended targets. He has participated in several long-range ilights, during which his brilliant navi gation has contributed materially to the safe return of his aircraft. He has per formed a great deal of valuable work in training other observers of the squadron. Act. Fit. Lt. R. FROWDE, B.A.F.V.B., No. 21? <F.M.S.) Bqn.—Fit. Lt. Frowde hasnrfcved himself to be an excellent tsJWtn, a first-class pilot and a most reliable officer. Throughout the numer ous sorties in which he has participated he has shown commendable perseverance and determination. Often in spite of intense opposition from the ground de fences he has remained over the target area for considerable periods of time to achieve a maximum bombing effort. This officer has set a most praiseworthy ex ample, . Act. Fit. Lt. D. MILLER, B.N.Z.A.F. Sqn.—This officer joined the squadron August, 1941, as a Captain of aircraft and has carried out numerous operational missions, manv oi which were in the winter months, tie has shown great determination in locating and bomb ing his targets. He took part in the combined operations on Vaagso where he laid a smoke screen on Naalov Island in he face of intense anti-air craft fire. On the following night he scored hits on the Buna factory at Huls. He also participated in the low level raid on the Renault works at raris. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty have been an inspiration to others. Act. Fit. Lt. F. PICHEL-JUAN, R.A.F.V.R., No. 144 Sqn—This officer has set a magnificent ex ample as an air gunner during his two years con tinuous service in operational bombing squadrons. While serving in another Squadron he flew on several operations as rear gunner in the squadron commander's crew, and was responsible for shoot ing out searchlights while operations were being carried out from a low level. He has taken part in successful raids on Kiel and Lubeck. Act. Fit. Lt. L. F. RATCLIFF, R.A.F.V.R., No. 49 Sqn—This officer has completed numerous iTtties, including attacks on Frankfurt, Essen, nfff-and Hanover. All his work has been characterised by the greatest determination to reach and bomb his objective. On the night of 28th December, 1941, on the outward journey to Huls, his aircraft was intercepted by two enemy fighters. Despite bright moonlight, he skilfully evaded his attackers, and flew on to Huls where he bombed the synthetic rubber plant. On another occasion in January, 1942, when flying to attack the German warships at Brest he showed great skill which enabled his gunners to frustrate the attacks of two enemy fighters. Fit. Lt. llatcliff lias set a very valuable example. Act. Fit. Lt. F. SYMMONS. D.F.M. R.A.F.V.R., No. H5 Sqn.—Since July, 1940 this officer has been employed as a navigator. In January, 1941. whilst serving as a non-commissioned officer, he w»i granted an award of the D.F.M. for his excel lent work in connection with raids on Kiel and Mannheim in December, 1940. On all his sorties he has done everything in his power not only to ^ntify his target, but to bomb it accurately and photograph the results. He has obtained numerous night photographs, including successful ones of Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Essen, Mann heim and Lubeck. After the attack on Lubeck, Fit. Lt. Symmons obtained four highly successful T holographs, taken- over a period of 30 minutes, which completely covered bo,e area of the town v.hich was on fire. Apart from his work in the.air, this officer has performed valuable work as squadron bombing leader and in the development of night photography. Fit. Lt. Symmons is a tourageous and most efficient officer. Act. Fit. Lt. S. D. WATTS, R.N.Z.A.F., No. 77 5**1—Throughout his tour of duty, this officer has ujplayed courage and leadership of a high degree. in September, 1941, whilst returning from an < perational sortie his aircraft sustained much J 79 Wrens installing radio equipment in a Royal Naval Albacore torpedo bomber. damage when attacked by an enemy fighter. Although the starboard engine failed. Fit. Lt. Watts evaded the enemy and succeeded in flying his damaged aircraft across the North Sea after losing height to 200 feet, and eventually he made a forced landing on the Norfolk coast. In October, 1941, his aircraft was hit by shell-fire which rendered the rudder usefess. Thus handicapped, Fit. Lt. Watts skilfully flew bis aircraft back to this country where he executed a crash-landing successfully. This officer has par ticipated in many attacks on highly defended targets, including Kiel, Wilhelmshaven, Brest, Huls, Frankfurt and Hamburg. F/O. 11. L. BARTLEY, R.A.F.V.R., No. 50 Sqn.-This officer, after five sorties with the squadron as a navigator was appointed Captain of aircraft. As such, he carried out many sorties, including attacks on Essen, Hamburg, Kiel, Cologne a'nd. recently, on the Renault works in Paris. On the night of 7th December, 1941, he waa detailed to attack Aachen. Whilst over the target area, at 7.000 feet, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and severely damaged. Despit this, he suc ceeded in flying the damaged aircraft back to this country where he made a safe landing at bate in darkness without injury to his crew or further damaae to hiB aircraft. He has at all times shown the greatest determination to complete his alloted tasks. Fit. l.t. C. G. ROBERTSON, NO. 95 Sqn.—Fit. Lt. Robertson has been a member of a Sunderland air crew since November, 1939. He was appointed captain in March. 1941, and during this period he has completed 2.000 flying hours of which 1,780 have been on operational flights. Fit. Lt. Robert son has displayed outstanding qualities of leader ship and reliability. He has completed his missions cheerfully under adverse weather conditions. On one occasion he located three lifeboats containing 57 survivors from a merchant vessel which bad been torpedoed in the Atlantic. He alighted, transhipped the survivors to the aircraft and despite a confused ocean swell, succeeded in taking off and bringing them back without any damage to the aireraft. F/O. G. W. GILPIN, R.A.F.V.U., No. 61 Sqn.— As a pilot. F/O. Gilpin has continuously shown determination and courage in pressing home his attacks often at low altitude and in the face of intense opposition. Since May. 1941, he has carr.ed out numerous attacks on industrial centres an,' dockyard towns both in Germany and in Ger man occupied territory. His devotion to duty has set a fine example. F/O. J. H. I.ELAND. NO. 207 Sqn.—This officer is a capable captain who takes great Interest both in his aircraft and in his air and ground crews. When acting as second pilot on his first opera tional flight he gave every possible assistance to his captain when it -became necessary to fly back from Berlin on one engine. Practically all his operational flights have been carried out with great determination despite most unfavourable weather. Since September. 1941. F/O. Leland has participated in many successful raids, which in- AVIATION elude Berlin, Rostock. Brest and Paris. Act. F/O. D. BOOKER, R.A.F.V.B., No. 51 Sqn.—This officer has been employed as an air observer in the squadron since April, 1941, Ho li.ii participated in numerous attacks on a variety of the enemy's important indus trial centres and dockvard towns, includ ing Frankfurt, Aachen, Hamburg, Kiel, Brest, Wilhelmshaven and St.. Naxairc. He has displayed great ability which, during very difficult and unfavourable circumstances, has enabled him to navigate his aircraft to the target suc cessfully when a number of others have failed. His skill and determination have played a large part in the successes obtained. Act. F/O. F. M. CRITCIILRY, R.A.A.F.. No. 115 Sqn—As navigator, this officer has completed 23 sorties, including bombing attacks on Bremen, Kiel, Ham burg, Essen and Poissv. Throughout, he has displayed exceptional ability, par ticularly during the winter months In adverse weather aud often in hazardous circumstances. On three occasions l»' has been largely responsible for the safe return of his aircraft. F/O. Critrttiey's repeated examples of cool determination have had an inspiring effect on all navigators of the Squadron. Act. F/O. A. G. W, LIVINGSTONE. R.A.F.V.R.. No. 138 8qn.-As wireless operator sir gunner, this officer has par ticipated in 58 bombing and special operations both from home and over-' seas bases. On several occasions his efficiency has contributed largely to the safe return of his aircraft. Ills fighting qualities and enthusiasm have set an inspiring example to new air crews. P/O. R. V. BROAD. R.A.F.V.R., No. 115 Sqn.—This officer is nn extremely efficient first wireless operator who, apart from his primary duties, is iullv conversant with many of the duties of the remainder of the air crew. On a recent sortie he displayed great coolness and resource when a shell splinter broke the main pressure feed fuel pipe and petrol was being lost at the rate of two gallons a minute. P/O. Broad held the severed pipe together until help arrived from other members of the crew. He then sncitt half an hour effecting a temporary repair, work ing in fumes which, at times, made him sick. Although it was impossible to stop the wastage completely, his effort effectively reduced it. For the next two hours he took turns, with the navigator and second pilot, in holding thf bind ing tightly together. P/O. Broad has participated in attacks on many highly defended targets, in cluding Brest, Wilhelmshaven, Hamburg, Kiel and Cologne. He is a keen and courageous officer. P/O. J. K. CLIMIE, R.N.Z.A.F., No. 75 Sqn. (N.Z.).—This officer has acted as captain of air craft on 23 occasions. He has participated in 53 sorties, the majority of which have been against heavily defended targets, including two attacks on Berlin and six on Brest. He has always dis played the greatest keenness for operations, tie is a skilful and confident pilot. P/O. A. JACKSON, R.A.F.V.R., No. 207 Sqn.-This officer has already carried out a tour of operational flying. The majority of this Air Observer's operational flights on his second tour have been undertaken in most adverse weather, but this has in no way lessened his great deter imnation and keenness to Identify and bomb his primary targets. He has taken part in success ful raidB on Kiel, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt. Berlin and Rostock. lie is an observer of outstanding quality, and the success of many sorties can be attributed to his good work P/O. J. P. MCCARTHY R.C.A.F., No. 142 Sqn -This officer has completed over 30 sorties over enemy territory, including attacks on industrial centres, dockyard installations and other impor tant targets During the past month he has par ticipated in several sorties against targets in the Ruhr. Throughout his long tour this officer has displayed a high standard of efficiency, while his conduct in adverse circumstances has earned high Minim P/O. K. R. MILLER, R.A.F.V.R.,, No 76 Sqn -P/O Miller has completed 23 sorties and not once has he experienced a navigational failure, lie bus bombed targets in many parts of Germany and th» occupied countries, including centies such as Cologne Bremen, Kiel, Biest and Hamburg On December 18th, 1941, he was chosen as bombing leader of the squadron on a daylight raid on the German warships at Brest. Excellent photographs which he obtained showed his bombs bursting across the docks. This officer's operational tour has been curtailed by his posting to an O.T U. where his knowledge and keenness will be most valuable. P/O. L. P OLIVER, R.A.A.F., No. 455 (R A.A V I Sqn —This Australian observer joined the squadron in September, 1941. He has participated in serties, which have included attacks on Huls, Kiel. Hamburg and other important enemy targets. Many of these missions have been completed in extremely unfavourable weal her and in the face of heavy op position. By his fine work, this officer has contri buted materially to the many successes obtained On March 3rd. 1942, P/O. Oliver participated in the highly successful attack on the Renault Works in Paris. Everything that P/O. Oliver attempts is
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