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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 1977.PDF
SEPTEMBSR 17TH, 1942 tojghl and, in particularly liatacs-iig c;rcniti-ihe irptain warned his ciew to stand by Mjaj- to abandon aircraft. Meanwhile, P/0. a^l'li'vari kept up a lunning commentary on ail lb»t was happening trom his point ot vie* and tj*^ considerably heartened the other members »d&e crew. This officer is an excellent air gun ner" his tactical knowledge is above the average. On'one operational iiight his skilful directions enabled' his captain to evade enemy fighters on five different occasions. His efficiency -and driifc h-vc set an excellent example. P 0. W. H. THOMPSON, R.A.F.V.K., No. 460 San—This mincer has displayed a high degree ol •kill and initiative throughout his operational career. His skilful navigation has contributed in a large way to the successful conclusion of the numerous sorties in which he lias participated. One night in May, 1942, he was navigator of an aircraft which was severely damaged by enemy fire. His co-operation, coolness and devotion to (Juty were of great assistance to his captain in difficult circumstances. Act, Fit, Lt, W. ASTELL, R.A.F.V.R., No. 148 San.—One night in May, Fit. Lt. Astell was cap- tarn oi an aircraft which carried out an attack on an enemy landing ground. Following the at tack his aircraft was intercepted and damaged by an enemy fighter. The rear turret and rudder control were rendered unserviceable, whilst fir© broke out in the fuselage. The starboard wing, the engine nacelle and an ammunition container also caught fire, and two members of the crew wwr'wounded. The aircraft lost height, and Fit. ftr^Astell ordered his crew to escape by para- chiiw'. Two of them were able to do so, but time did not permit of similar action being taken by the navigator and Fit. Lt. Astell. The latter was able to make a successful cra,sh landing, how ever, and both he and his colleague managed to extricate themselves from the wreckage. After a period of five days, fraught with danger, they eventually observed one of our patrols. Fit. Lt, Astell went forward to make contact but, unfortunately, was unable to do so. He returned to the plare where he thought he had left his colleague but he could not find him. Fit, Lt. Astell eventually discovered another friendly de tachment and reached safety. Throughout the engagement, and subsequently, this officer dis played great courage and fortitude. Act. Fit. Lt. M. FOULIS, R.A.F.V.R., No. 38 Sqn.—In June 1942, this officer captained an aircraft which participated in an attack on an Italian naval force. Ilespite poor visibility, and in the face of an intense defensive bariage, he courageously pressed home his attacks from a very low altitude. His complete disregard of danger and his determination set a splendid example. This officer has completed numerous sorties and he has invariably displayed daring of a , high degree. Act. F/O. F. J. HICHAM, R.A.F.V.R., No. 63 Sqn.—This officer has participated in the destruc tion of four enemy aircraft; one other has been damaged. He displays great devotion to duty and is always keen to engage the enemy. P/0. J. R. DUDLEY. R.A.F.V.R., No. 37 Sqn.— One night in duly, 1942, this officer participate,! in an attack on Tobruk. In spite of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire he made repeated runs over the target, area and his work facilitated the attneks made by following aircraft. His aircraft was severely damaged by enemy fire but, dis playing skilful airmanship, he succeeded in living it safely back to one of our landing grouuds where he made a safe landing. Throughout the opera tion thi3 officer displayed great courage and de termination to accomplish his task. On a pre vious occasion, P/0. Dudley displayed great courage when he vigorously attacked Tcbruk from a height ol 1.500 feet. 170. A. II. THOM, R.A.F.V.R., No. 87 Sqn.— This officer has been engaged on operational flving *(*"* long period both by day and by night, "^nroughont he has displayed great keenness and devotion to duty. He has destroyed iwo enemy airciaft, both oi which he shot down after pursu ing them out to sea for more than 50 miles. On one occasion he engaged a He. Ill in ex tremely hazardous flying weather and probably •destroyed it. Recently, P/O. Thom has completed several successful intruder operations. He has invariably displayed initiative and courage. Act. Son. Ldr. R. E. H. MOREOW, U.C.A.F., No. 402 (It.O.A.F.) Sqn-This officer has completed many operational sorties. His brilliant leadership and skill have contributed materially to the high standard of efficiency and fighting spirit of his squadron. On one occasion he led the squadron m a low-level attack on five enemy destroyers; one of tttnm was believed to have been sunk, while the remainder were damaged. Sqn. Ldr. Morrow has destroyed one and assisted in the destruction of another hostile aircraft. P/O. T. E. W. HOWES, R.A.A.F., No. 70 San.-P/O. Howes was the navigator of an aircraft which atlackc-a a concentration of enemy vehiclrs and motor transport in the Has El Kanyis ar'a one night in June, 1942. Whilst attacking at 2 000 feet. c. burst from the guns of a hostile air ciaft caused a complete failure of .all lighting, and rendered the intercommunication svstcm unser viceable, while the interior became full of smoke. Lsing the iiandl' of his illuminated compass as a torch, P;f). Howes went aft to ascertain the damage. He found the second pilot and the wireless operator, both of whom were wounded, »nd assisted them to the cabin. p Ilames from an electric resistance were spreal-l in« up the walls of the cabin, but P/O. Howes ' eventually extinguished them by disconnecting the arcumulators. Making hia way to the rear turret, wtich was on fire, he found the rear gunner severer/ wounded and with his clothing alight, tie extinguished the gunner's burning clothing; 'hen, with some slight assistance, he succeeded FLIGHT in extricating him from the turret. It v^ns then seen that the gunner's left leg had been ma P/O. Howes gave him an injection of m.irpma and endeavoured to apply a tourniquet.. In the most harassing circumstances this officer dis played great courage and devotion to doty. P/O. D. O. ROHDE, R.AF.V.R, No. 115 Sqn.™ One night m July, 1942, this officer was cap tain of an aircraft detailed to attack Saar-brucken. The target area was obscured by heavy cloud, but P/O. Rohde, determined to release his bombs over the target, immediately flew down through the cloud. In spite of considerable op position from the ground defences, he eventually located the target and pressed home his attack from 3.000 feet. This officer also took part in an attack on Hamburg, during which he showed great skill and determination. P'O. Rohde has completed numerous sorties, mainly against heavily defended targets, and has set a fine ex ample. Fit. Lt. A. J. SIMPSON, NO. 6 Sqn.—In June. 1942-, this officer led a fighter formation in an attack on a large number of enemy armoured vehicles in the Bir Hacheim area. Although he was wounded in the chest by enemy ground fire, he continued to attack and obtained several hits on the objective. Although .weakened by the loss of blood, and with his right arm useless, he attempted to gain height and evade the , heavy barrage, but his aircraft was hit. Hot oil sprayed over his face and, being unable to see owing to smoke which was penetrating into the cockpit, he was forced to leave his aircraft by parachute at about 500 feet. Fit. Lt. Simpson descended safely, however, and was rescued by one of our ambulance units. Throughout, he displayed great gallantrv and outstanding devotion to. duty. Act. Fit. Lt D. J. M. BLAKESI.EE, R.U.A.F., -No. 133 t'Eagle) Sqn.—This officer has , com pleted a large mfrnber of sorties over enemy terri tory. He has destroyed me, probably destroyed two, and damaged several more hostile aircraft. He is a fine Under whose "keenness has proved most inspiring. Act. Fit. Lt. R. L. SPUBDLE, NO. 91 Sqn.—This officer is a keen and determined pilot. He has des troyed five, probably destroyed four, and damaged several more enemy aircraft. His devotion to dufcv has set a praiseworthy example. Act. Fit. Lt. E. I), ULASKR, K.A.F.V.R.. No. 234 Sqn.—This officer has participated in 51 sorties. His excellent leadership, keenness and determina tion have tot a worthy example. P'O. R. J. G. GREEN, R.A.F.V.R., NO. 156 Sqn. —One night in July this officer was captain of an aircraft which attacked Hamburg. On the return flight, near Bremen, his aircraft was held in a cone of searchlights. Displaying great resource, P O. Green dived his aircraft down the search light teams from 13,000 to only 50 feet, thus enabling his front gunner to extinguish two of the lights. During the dive the aircraft was hit by shell fire. P.O. Green was wounded in the thigh, while the. front gunner and the wireless operator received wounds in the arm and hand respectively. Despite great pain and the difficulty of controlling his damaged aircraft, P/O. Green skilfully flew it through a continuous barrage of anti-aircraft fire and searchlights until the coast was reached. Handing over the controls to the second pilot, he continued to direct his crew, although in a state of collapse. By his skill, courage and fortitude, P/O'. Green was mainly responsible for the safe return of his aircraft and its crew. Fit. Lt. \V. R. Gnn&NSLAnn. A.F.C., No. 143 Sqn.—Ore night in July. 1942. this officer was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Ham burg, Whilst over the target area the aircraft was held in the beams of searchlights and sub jected to heavy anti-aircraft fire. One engine was put out of action and the astro-batch shat tered In spite of this. Fit. Lt. Greenslade pressed home his attack. On the return flight, tearca-light positions and gun emplacements were machine-gunned from a low level. This officer, who invariably completes his operational tasks with skill and determination, displayed great devr.ijon to duty throughout. F/O. J. R STERNE, R.C.A.F., No. 174 Sqn.— This officer has displayed a fine fighting spirit, which, combined with his complet-e disregard of danger, has won the confidence and admiration of his fellow pilots. He has secured notable suc cesses in night bombing attacks on enemy ship ping. In one period of three nighfs, when operating alone against shipping, he destmyrd a 4.000 ton ship which was heavily defended bv Bome twelve escort vessels, and damaged several armed ships with machine gun fire; he has also assisted in the destruction of a 1.200 ton enemy coaster in daylight. P/O. D. J. CTTRTIN.—One nigh,, in July. 1942, this officer was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack a target in North West Germany. When nearing the target area his aircraft was inter- cepted by an enemy fighter, but P/O. Curtin safely evaded it and flew on to the objective. Shortly after leaving the target area his aircraft •was again intercepted by enemy fighters. In the ensuing engagement the rear gunner and wireless operator were badly wounded. P/O. Curtin was almost blinded by cordite from a bursting shell, and the aircraft lost height bv several thousand feet below the captain was able to clear his eyes and regain control. Later, when nearing the Dutch ocast. the bomber was tit by fire from the ground defences; the navi gator" sustained wounds and the aircraft, was damaged. Despite this, P/O. Curtin flew on and eventually reached this country. In diffi cult circumstances he made a safe landing in a field. Afterwards he assisted his wounded crew from the aircraft and then went off tor further help. In this, his ftfri ooeraUonaJ flight, P'O, Curtin displayed great eourajze and determination. Air Marshal W. A. Bishop, who is back in Britain again to visit the Royal Canadian Air Force. As a fighter pilot in the last war Air Marshal Bishop won the V.C., D.S.O. and Bar, M.C., D.F.C., and Croix de Guerre with two palms. P/O. J B. HiGHAM. R.C.A.F., No. 419 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn.—One night in July, 1942, thia officer was captain ot an aircraft which attacked Dusseldoif. When approaching the target area one engine of his aircraft failed and caught fire. Despite this, P/O. Higham resolutely Hew JII ana successfully bombed the target in the la. e of considerable opposition from the ground de fences. On the return flight the aircraft begau to lose height, until P/O, Higham ordered cer tain equipment to be jettisoned. He was tint* able to maintain height at some 2,000 fott, and eventually succeeded in flying the damaged air craft back to a base in this country, where he made a skiliul landing. Throughout, this officer elisplayed great determination and devotion to duty. BAR TO DisTiNC.ufSHED FLYING MLDAL. Fit. Sgt. K. H. L. HoUfiHTON. D.F.M., No i -'! Sqn.—Since being awarded the D.F.M., Fit. Btft. Houghton has carried out many operational flights. He has di&played great initiative, courage and resolution throughout, and especially on one hazardous mission which was successfully com pleted. Sgt. G.'F. BEVELING, D.F.M.. No. 249 Sqn- Since Ixung awarded the D.F.M. in July, 1942, Sgt Beurling has destroyed a further nine onettv aircraft, bringing his victories to 17. One rf hi* exploits was the destruction of four enemy fighters in one day; during these brief OOfflbftti he also damaged a further two hostile aircraft His courage and determination are a source of inspiration to all. DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. su. H. E. DE MONE, RC \i la •'• i... this airman was the rear gunner ol an aircraft which successfully attacked Essen. On the return flight the aircraft was held in a cone of search light* and attacked by on enemy fighter and was extensively damaged. Sergeant Dc Mone, who was engaged on his second operational mission, dis played exceptional courage and resource. Set. H- A. MCLENNAN, NO. 156 Bqn.-Oue night in July, 1942, this airman was the wire less operator of an ancraft detailed to attack Duisburg. When nearing the target area, the pilot was compelled to dive trie aircraft violently, and Sgt, McLennan was thrown irom his posi tion in the astro-hatch A oox cf iBO*nui*rj bombs broke loose Iron its stowage, and the con-
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