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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 1766.PDF
214 SERVICE AVIATION i.hotugraph o! the results. His aircraft was hit and damaged by the enemy's ground lire ami on the return journey one engine failed whilst 100 miles from his base. By sheer determination and good airmanship Wing Cdr. Freeman succeeded in Hying safely to l. On another rwenl mrasion he made attacks on Kssen from a very low altitude againgt intensive opposition, malting at least three separate runs on to the target area, ,im] obtained photographs of the target. Throughout hi- operational career this officer has proved himself to be a courage ous and outsianding leader who has inspired his 'i""'ron with that eHptil dt coip* that is so ary to success. Sqn. Ldr. D. J. II. LAV. D.F.C., R.A.F.O., No. 7 Sun — Since July, 1941, this officer has partici pated in numerous attacks on a wide variety of enemy targets, including objectives at Hanover, Turin, Stettin, Brest and Rostock. He is a skilful pilot and captain who has carried out his attacks with great determination, often in the face of fier.e opposition. On' one occasion his aircraft was so badly damaged by enemy action that his rear gunner abandoned it by parachute, but despite this Sqn. Ldr. Lay flew his aircraft back to this country. DlSTfNGUfSHED FLYING CROSS. Act. Wing Cdr. J. E. FAUQUIER, R.C.A.F., No. 405 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn.—Throughout the many sorties in which he has participated, this officer has dis played the highest qualities of courage and leader ship. His ability and grim determination to in flict the maximum damage on the enemy have won the admiration of the squadron he commands Wing Cdr. Fauquier personally led his squadron on. the two " thousand bomber " raids and then again went out on an operation on the following nighl, de*pit« physical and menial fatigue after organising and leading the two previous opera tions. This officer Is a horn leader. Sqn Ldr. R. W. TURNER, NO. 9 Sqn.—Sqn Ldr. Turner is not only a very efficient flight com mander but is also an ideal typo of heavy bomber captain. Before his sorties he organises his crew wnh scrupulous care and on this fact, together with the skill and determination he displays, rests the success with which all his tasks have been completed, lie has participated in attacks on enemy industrial centres, dockyard towns and comnleted many daylight North Sea sweeps. Dur ing his first operational tour of duty he completed a number of sorties involving anti-submarine sweep antl daylight nttacks on enemy shipping in the Heligoland Bight and in the Norwegian area. He also took part in attacks on German troops, airfields and lines of communication iti * ranee and the Low (.'mm, ies prior to the capitu lation of France. Throughout his operational nreei he has displayed great devotion to duty. Only on three occasions has he returned without completing his task; technical failure of equip ment has teen the cause in each case P/O. P. F. It. GRAHAM, R.A.F.V.R., No 217 Sqn ldecca*e.li. awardod with effect from August 15th, 1941 -Tnis officer has d iplayed a fine fighting spirit and a high standard of morale in ,'!,'!-?tta<Ji8/t,n ejoiny shipping. One day in June, 1141 . .iff the French roast, two heavily armed vessels were attacked from a low alt-'tude. A few weeks later lie attacked a 'arse-sized enemy ship from a low level, after the fighter escort of three Me s had been evaded. Although the attack was One of the Curtiss (C.46) Commando twin-engined transporter aircraft in produc tion for the U.S. Army Air Forces. In the background is a Merlin-engined Warhawk with long-range tank fitted under the fuselage. iiii-uccesslul, due to bomb release failure, the pilot showed great courage in the circumstances. On the same sortie, a medium sized ship was attacked and hit. Despite heavy defensive fire from an escorting vessel, photographs of the burning ship were obtained. One nigh* in August, 1941, a large merchant vessel, lying in harbour, was attacked from a low level. At -east two hits were obtained. This jffieer has displayed great dasb and determination throughout. Act. Fit. Lt. T. P. K. SCADE, R.A.F.V.R.. No. 73 Sqn.—This fighter pilot has displayed high cour age and skill which have been a splendid example to all personnel of his squadron. He has figured prominently in a number rf hazardous operations i» which he has shown a keen desire to engage the enemy. Fit. Lt. Scade has destroyed several enemy aircraft, of which two were destroyed on the ground during a particularly successful raid on Jedabya airfield. Act. Fit. Lt. W. W. SWINNERTON, R.A.F.V.R. No 250 Sqn.—Fit. Lt. Swinnerton has completed a large number ci operational flying hours over the Western Detrert and has carried out many operational sorties. In November, 1941, lie was shot down near Benina airfield. Hiding himself, he watched the enemy lay a minefieU before they withdrew. He then made a map which enabled our forces, on their arrival to lender the air field serviceable at once. In May, 1942, when proceeding on a flight to machine-gun the enemy, be observed si., ot his comrades walking. Fit. Lt. Swinnerton landed near them and. finding that they were the crew of an aircraft which had been shot down he gave them after which he look off a patrols to their rescue. his nfl emergency rations, directed one of our The bomb-aimer in a Short Stirling about to*" press the switch whichreTi bombs which have been preselected and 49sed. # 1 Lt. W. J. S. A. WEBB, S.A.A.F., No. 40 (S.A.A.F.) Sqn.—In May, 1942. whilst on a recon naissance flight, this officer was engaged by three enemy aircraft, one of which he destroyed. He then continued his reconnaissance and gained valu able information. Shortly afterwards Lt. Webb's aircraft was shot down in flames, but, displaying great, courage and initative, he avoided capture and returned to his squadron. He lias at all times displayed great skill and devotion to duty which have contributed largely to the high standard of morale maintained by his sqt.adron. Act. F/O. L. P. S. BING. R.C.A.F., No. 89 Sqn. ' —F/O. Bing has displayed courage and outstand ing skili. He has taken part in the destruction of ten enemy aircraft at night. F/O. Bing has set a magnificent example to other observers. P/O. A. J. HANCOCK, R.A.F.V.R., No. 21S Sqn. —This officer has shot down five enemy aircraft and damaged a further two during recent opera tions in the Western Desert. In a combat in June. 1942, P/O. Hancock sustained a bullet wound in the arm. Despite the intense pain and the loss of much blood, he flew his aircraft to the nearest landing ground and, although in a semi-conscious condition, made a perfect landing. P/O. G. STENBORG, R.N.Z.A.F.. No. 185 Sqn.— P/O. Stenborg has displayed great determination and keenness to engage the enemy. One day in July, 1942, he encountered a superior force of enemy fighters which were acting as escort to bombers. P/O. Stenborg attacked the enemy fighters, destroying two of them, and dispersed the remainder, thus enabling other R.A.F. fighters to attack the bombers. A few days later he com pleted a sirrrilar operation and again shot down two enemy fighteis. P/O. Stenborg has now destroyed eight enemy aircraft. Act. Sqn. Ldr F H. ROBERTSON, No. 106 Stin,-i_ Sqn. Ldr. Robertson has comnlercd sorties, meUisyP, in? attacks on aircraft works at Rostock aha Warnemunde. which were carried out in the face of intense defensive fire and searchlight activity. Sqn. Ldr. Robertson is commanding a flight with conspicuous succees, while the performance of his ground duties is beyond reproach. Fit. Lt. J. V. WATTS. R.C.A.F., No. 10 Sqn.-This officer is a courageous and highly skilled navigator who has done much to ensure the suc cess of many of the scrties in which he has participated. One night in April, 1942, he was the navigator of an aircraft detailed to attack the German naval base at Trondheim. On arrival at the target area the aircraft was inter cepted by an enemy fighter, but Fit. Lt. Watts coolly and skilfully guided his captain down through an intense barrage and the fighter was unable to follow. The objective was then at tacked from an extremely low level. The follow ing night, when attacking the »ame objective. Fit, Lt. Watts distinguished himself by his brilliant navigation. Act. Fit. Lt. H, S. BUKEMAN, D.F.M., No. 97 Sqn.—Fit. Lt- Blakcman ha? taken part in attacks on targets of major importance, including three raids on Berlin three on Kiel, and others in the Ruhr area. He also took part in a daylight attack on Brest Throughout, this officer has set a high standari of discipline, skill and deter mination. Act. Fit. Lt. A. P. DART. R.A.F.V.R., No. 420 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn.—This officer has completed a number of sorties, including bombing and mine-laying missions. Throughout his operational career, Fit. Lt. Dart has participated in attacks against most of the highly defended and important enemy targets. He is a skilful pilot, and is held in high esteem by all air crews of the squadron.
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