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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 1976.PDF
322 FLIGHT SEPTEMBER 17TH, i942 SERVICE AVIATION P/O. W. ,J J. O'CONNELL, &.C.A.F., No. 226 Son. F/O P. fctAUNDEKS, it A.F.V.R., No. 226 Sqn. On May 7th, 194:;. P/u. O'Connell and 1, 0 sounders were pilot and observer respectively of the leading aircraft of a formation of six bomber ;ur<:rait detailed to attack tbe power station at Ostend. Despite bad weather F/O. Saunders .-kilfully navigated his pilot to the target area where severe opposition from the ground defences was encountered. All the aircraft of the forma tion were hit, but F/O. O'Connell, continuing liis bornbirg run, enabled his navigator to bomb the objti'ijve and >u< <;< eiicil in withdrawing the formation intact. On two previous occasions (the fir*t after attacking and si/ king a 7,000-ton -imply ship and the Mcond after a highly success-fin attack on a. ship at l.t* Havre) his aircraft was severely damaged. Each time P/O. O'Conneil tow his aircraft baci to base and, with the hydraulics shot away, carried out landings with the undercarriage retracted. Both these officers flew together in an aircraft which was detailed to attack the Mat ford factory at Poissy on March 8th, 1942. They have at all times displayed the highest devotion to duty and the keenest deter mination to achieve M F/O. T. B. STONEY, R.A.FV.R.. No. 58 Sqn.— This officer commenced operational flying in June. 1941. During the period be has attacked targets at Berlin, Kiel, Bremen, Cologne, Hamrn, Ham burg and many other heavily defended areas. He has invariably pressed home his attack a with great determination. His courage, Keenness and ability have gel a very fine example to all. Act. F/O. A. S. ALDRIDGE, NU. 18 Sqn.—This officer fought in France in May, 1940, and took part in numerous sorties involving attacks on barges and troop concentrations. On his return to this emm try he carried out a number of sorties including North Sea sweeps, convoy escorts and attacks on targets in the Low Countries and Germany. Manv of these sorties were completed in extremely bad weather. F/O. Aldridge joined his present squad ron in July, 1941. and has continued his excellent work. In duly 1941, he participated in an attack on a convoy off Ymuiden. Hits were scored on a me.chant ship of 6,000 tons. He also took part in an attack on shipping in the docks at Rotterdam on 16th July and in an attack on the power station *1 Oosna> on 21st September. 1941. During a period Of att vhuient- to Malta, F/O. Aldridge com-lit* ied a number of sorties. In one of these, against shipping in Tripoli Harbour, his aircraft, was attacked by Italian fighters; he was wounded In the hack, but in spite of this he navigated the aircraft successfully back to Malta. This officer baa always displayed the greatest courage and de-tenninat ion. Act »•' 0. G. M. DAVIES, It.N.Z.A.F., No. 12 Sqn. - For t hi- past three months F/O. Davies has acted as rhicf navigation officer in addition to his flying duties. Be has participated in numerous raids since Novcaber. 1941, including such heavily de-tended targets as Wilhelmshaven, Brest. Hamburg. Kiel and Essen. His navigation is invariably of the highest order, while his determination to ensure accurate bombing has been most notable. He has set I courageous example. Act. F/O. H. 3. Cinn. R.N.Z.A.F., No. 149 Sqn.-- This officer has participated in numerous attacks on the enemy's industrial targets, shipping and dock yard installations. He is an excellent captain of aircraft and has carried out his tasks with great thoroughness and determination. By his own ex cellent example he has instilled his aircraft crew with a fine righting spirit which has been largely responsible for the successes obtained. He has dis played great courage and devotion to dutv. Act. F/O. J. WELCH, No. 18 Sqn.—F/O. Welch is an extremely efficient air gunner. He fought in the Battle of France and took part in many sorties. Since his return to this country he has partici pated in a large number of sorties, including North Sea sweeps, convoy escorts and attacks on targets in the Low Countries and Germany. In November, .1940, w'hilst over Holland, severe weather was experienced, which rendered most of the aircraft's instrument!:;, including the wireless equipment, un serviceable. F/O. Welch skilfully repaired the wireless and enabled his pilot to obtain bearings which eventually resulted in the safe return of the aircraft to base after five hours flying in ex tremely adverse conditions. In July, 1941, he took part in a very successful attack on an enemy con voy off Ymuiden. On 21st September, 1941. he participated in an attack on the power station at C"snay, P/O. J. E. CASEY, RN.Z.A.F. since deceased), No, 9 Sqn.—On one occasion P/O. Casey was de tailed to release incendiary bombs over a target at Essen". Some 15 minutes before the allotted time for releasing his bombs, his aircraft was held in a concentration of searchlights and subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire. Determined to release his bombs at the appointed height P/O. Casey flew on in the face of intense opposition until he had nearly reached his target. He then skilfully evaded the defences and released his bombs at the correct height within a few moments of the allotted time. On another occasion during the return journey from Dortmund ana whilst still over the Ruhr area, his aircraft was caught in a belt of searchlights and subjected to a heavy barrage at about 15,000 feet. He eventually evaded the defences by descending to 5,000 feet and, although a petrol tank was apparently damaged as the gauges registered a much smaller amount than there should have been, he flew the aircraft safely back to base. This officer, who has participated in numerous sorties over heavily de fended targets, has shown exceptional eagerness to undertake any task. He has been most con scientious in all his operational undertakings. P/O. A. W. G. COCHRANE, R.N.Z.A.F., No. 150 # Sqn.—This officer is employed as captain of air craft. Throughout he has completed his attacks with skill, courage and determination. On one occasion in March, 1942, his aircraft would not climb above 1,000 feet. Despite strong enemy- opposition and the presence of balloons P/O. Cochrane, with great resolution, flew on and successfully bombed his objective at Essen. His aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire. His high devotion to duty is shown by the completion of six successful night sorties between 30th March and 7th June. 1942. His fearlessness in the face of danger has inspired a high standard of morale in his crew. P/O. Cochrane has attacked many inip.irtani enemy targets, including Brest, Cologne, Bremen and Hamburg. P/O. A. W. DOUBLEDAY, R.A.A.F., No. 460 Sqn. Throughout his operational career this officer has shown outstanding ability, coupled with a it r<mg sense of duty. On a number of occasions he has pressed home his attack from a low altitude with complete disregard of enemy opposition. He has acted as cap tain of aircraft on 22 occasions. Amongst the numerous objectives he has attacked »rv Kmden, Le Havre, Cologne, Rostock, Essen and Kiel. P'O. P. S. DUFF, R.N.Z.A.F., No. 106 Sqn.—This officer has been navigator and later second pilot. As a navigator-bomb aimer his work was exemplary. On one occasion in the winter of 1941, his bril liant navigation in appalling weather con ditions ensured the success of a mining operation. He has taken part in three daylight operations, two of which were low level attacks on targets well inside Germany. On these occasions he scored hits with his bombs and then used his beam gun most effectively. Since quali fying as captain of a Manchester he has completed several sorties, including the " thousand " raids on Cologne and Essen. P/O. Duff's courage and zeal are of a high order; his keenness is now being demonstrated in heavy bombers. P/O. G. P. FOWLEB, R.C.A.F., No. 419 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn.—This officer is employed as air observer. Since August, 1941, he has participated in numerous sorties in volving attacks on important industrial targets in the Ruhr and dockyard instal lations both in Germany and German occupied territory. Throughout, his work-has been extremely accurate, and has con tributed materially to the many successes obtained. P/O. Fowler took part in the raids on Lubeck and Rostock and in the attack on the German warships in the English Channel. P/O. J. M. GARLIOK, No. 12 Sqn.—This officer has taken part in attacks on a wide range of enemy targets, including most of the heavily defended areas. Jle Gen, Adler, of the U.S.-^rmy Air Force in the Middle East, about to enter a^ransport machine with his^lcreta invariably shows the greatest determination to press home his attack whatever the opposition His fearlessness and devotion to duty have set an excellent example. ' / P/O. W. GREEN, R.A.F.V.R., No. 7 Squ—<fcm officer has performed excellent work in the n navigator-bomb aimer. In the course of many sorties he has attacked most of the important enemy targets, including Berlin, Cologne, Essen. Hamburg, Kiel and Rostock. One night in June' 1942, he was the observer of a heavy bomber de^ tailed to attack the Ruhr. Shortly after the take off his captain was taken ill. With great initiative P/O. Green took over the controls and on instnu.! tions from his captain flew the aircraft to within 20 miles of the Dutch coast. When this point was reached the captain had not recovered in any wav and P/O. Green was instructed to fly back to base! This he accomplished and the captain managed to make.a safe landing. This officer has set a very good example. P/O. R. T. HOLLAND, NO. 207 Sqn.—As ob server, P/O. Holland has completed numerous sor ties over enemy territory, often under tbe mts% trying conditions. His constant reliability as a navigator and the accuracy of his bombing have been admirable. He has displayed great devotion to duty. P/O. H. G. U. HUCKINS, No. 18 Sqn.—This officer has been engaged on operational flying over a long period. He fought in the Battie of France, completing many sorties. On r^urn to this country, he took part in many No&rrTt&i sweeps and in an attack on Hamburg and ano%*i cm Cologne. On one occasion the aircraft in which he was flying was shot down when attacked by three enemy fighters. In August, 1941, PO. Huckins joined his present squadron and com pleted several sorties before proceeding to Malta with the unit. Whilst based at_ Malta he carried out a number or sorties, including a low-level at tack on the Castelvetrano airfield in Sicily. The operation was carried out in the face of very heavy defensive fire and great success was achieved. This officer has at all times proved himself a most efficient and determined navigator and bomb aimer. P/O. E. A. HUDSON, R.A.A.F., No. 57 Sqn.-This officer has carried out sorties against the majority of important enemy targets such as Brest, Hamburg, Kiel, Cologne and Rostock. He has at all times displayed great gallantry and devo tion to duty even in the face of the most for midable of the enemy's anti-aircraft defences. Bis attacks have invariably been pressed home with the utmost vigour at a low height. His tremen dous enthusiasm for operational flying, combined with his ability as a pilot and captain, have welded his crew into one of the most effective. Only once has a sortie been abandoned, and this only in the face of the greatest difficulties. P/O. A. R. KENDEJCK, No. 18 Sqn.—This officer has participated in reconnaissances and at tacks on enemy airfields, industrial targets, ship ping and invasion ports. He is a very experienced navigator, who performs his duties with zeal and efficiency. On August 21st, 1941, he took part in a low-level attack on the ironworks at Ymuiden. On February 12th, 1942, he navigated the leading aircraft of a small bomber force which attacked the German warships at sea. Throughout, his navigation and bombing ability have been of a high standard. P/O. J. KING, No. 18 Sqn.—As wireless opera tor/air gunner this officer has completed many sorties, involving attacks on enemy airfields, ship ping, barge concentrations and industrial tar gets. On many of these sorties he has acted as gunnery leader, a duty which he has skilfully performed. His ability both as a gunner and wireless operator have set an excellent example. P/O. A. R. A. MACLACHLAN, R.A.F.V.R., No. 156 Sqn.—This officer is employed as captai!^^f aircraft. Throughout the numerous sorties W* which he has participated he has displayed ex ceptional tenacity and has pressed home his at tacks with the utmost" vigour. He has on two oc casions been attacked by an enemy fighter, but bis skilful manoeuvring enabled his gunner to shoot one of them down in flames and probably destroy the other. Amongst many of the enemy targets he has attacked are such important places as Brest, Cologne, Hamburg, Essen and Rostock. P/O. W. J. PICKEN, R.A.F.V.R., No. 106 Sqn. —This officer has acted as captain on Hampden, Manchester and Lancaster aircraft. He is a pilot of great skill and resource who has achieved much success. He has many times attacked targets in the Ruhr and on several occasions bombed the naval yards of Hamburg, Kiel, Bremen and Brest. He took part in the attack on the Renault arma ment, factory, scoring hits from 3.000 feet. He invariably presses home his attacks whatever the opposition. His courage and determination have been of a high standard. P/O. J. A. SINCLAIR, R.A.F.V.R., No. 15 Sqn. —This officer is employed as navigator on heavy bomber aircraft. He has participated in a large number of sorties, including attacks on sni-h heavily defended areas as Berlin, Brest, and tar-;ets in the Ruhr. He has also taken p*rt in day- ight attacks on Lille and La Rochelle and has navigated his aircraft to such long-range target* as Genoa. Turin and Pilsen. Throughout a long and successful tour of operations P/O. Sinclair has displayed a high degree of skill and courage. P/O. D. E. SULLIVAN, R.A.F.V.R., NO. 9 Sqn.-As air gunner this officer has taken part in sor ties over enemy and enemy-occupied territory,-including the heavily defended areas of Brest, Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven. On one occasion he was tbe rear gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack Essen. Whilst over the target, area the aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter, in the ensuing engagement P/O. Sullivan's aircraft was-.^eKerely damaged. Despite this, bombs were released at"~4y©QCLfeet. The damaged aircraft k*i i ^J- CAA -*<
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