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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 0457.PDF
FEBRUARY I8TH, 1943 SERVICE AVIATION Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm News and Announcements General Alexander, while C.-in-C. Middle East Forces, inspects the guard of honour at Khartoum airfield during an air tour of Eritrea and Sudan. Awards THE KING has been graciously pleased toapprove the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations againstth.1 enemy : — DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER. P/O. H. G. JORDAN, R.A.F.V.R.—P/OS. Jordanand Paulton and Fit. Sgt. Bigoray displayed gallantry, fortitude and devotion to duty inexceptionally hazardous circumstances. Act. Fit.- Li. W T. CHRISTIE. D.F.M..K.A.F.V.R., No. 7 Sqn. (since reported missing). —Since being awarded the D.F.M. this Officer ha?taken part in many operational flights. He ha* always displayed courage and determination of avery high order, pressing home his attacks on the most r >avily defended targets. On one occasionhe was detailed ty attack Mar.nheim. In the face of heavy opposition he first dropped flares andthen made his attack from a very low level. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. P/0. E. A. PAULTON, B.C.A.F.-For citationsee P/O, Jordan. Sqn. Ldr. W. FLETCHER, D.F.M., No. 158 Sqn.-In December, 1942, Sqn. Ldr. Fletcher, Sgts. Lewis and Kay were captain, flight engineer Sndnavigator < of a. heavy bomber detailed to attack iurin. While over the target area one of thestarboard engines failed. Shortly after the, bombs had been released all blind flying instrumentsfailed, and the aircraft stalled and fell into u fP>n. Sqn. Ldr. Fletcher skilfully regained con-trol, but it was found impossible to climb over the Alps. Despite bad weather and poor visi-bility, Sgt. Kay navigatctj the aircraft on another "purse round the Alps. Sgt. Lewis's cool andskilful manipulation of the petrol completed the team work which resulted in tlie sale return ofuie aircraft, after Hying some 900 miles with one of its engines disabled. Act Fit. Lt. N. S. MILNES. R.A.J V.R.. No.102 Sqn.—Oao night in December. 1942. Fit. Lt. MHnes and Fit. Sgt,. McDonald were captain andnavigator respectively of a heavy bomber engaged in an attack on Turin. South of the Alps heavy•jnti Mrcraft fi r3 disabled one of the starboardi7 AH?', IleiSn<>- was speedily lost from 18.000 to feet belore the barrage was evaded and thei ,;el<»s«i. Severe icing conditions then i? tne »""craft down to 5,000 feet, and whenKing cloud, over Northern France, the bouilier was menaced by the approach of five enemy air-iniin Alti;oueh the fighters did not attack. !.™t " ""'"• fror1 th. grc-i-,1.1 defences disabledwin port engines and the bomber's speed Sell almost to stalling point and altitude was lostdown to r.,000 feet. The question of abandon- ing aircraft was considered. Although Fit. Sgt.McDonald was in the best position to effect an escape, he opposed the proposal and Fit. Lt.Hilnes decided to struggle on. Soon the port inner enmne again functioned, but the aircraftwas still flying almfKt at stalling speed. Even- tually the north coact oi France was gained and Air Commodore The Right Hon Winston S. Churchill, P.C., C.H., M.P., No. 6oi A.A. Squadron, returns to No. io Downing Street from his recent tour to the Middle East. the 'rinokd aircraft was again subjected to intense anti-aircraft, fire. Further height v.;is sacrificed in evading the gunfire and the crewflew on and eventually reached safety. F/'O. K. A. MACKENZIE, R.C.A.F, No 9 Sqn.fsince deceased).—As captain of aircraft, this otii- cer has displayed outstanding keenness and deter-mination to achieve success. One night in Sep tember, 1942, in appalling weather he attacked atarget in Northern Germany. Although his air- cialt was heavily engaged and hit by anti-aircraftfire. F/O. Mackenzie pressed home his attack. He flew with distinction in the daylight laid ouLe Creusot and on the moie recent raid on Milan." F/O. W. M. MASON, R.A.F.V.R., No. 44 Sqn.—This officer's standard of navigation is excep tionally high and during his many operationalsorties he has obtained some excellent photo graphs. Recently he took part in the raids nn.Milan and Genoa and his personal courage, skill and zeal in ensuring that his aircraft cached thetarget, greatly inspired the whole squadron. F/O. E. W. N. MORGAN, R.A F.V.R., No. 218Sqn.—JUiring many operational sorties F/O. Morgan ha& shown a high degree of navigation;ilability. One day in August, 1942, when operating over enemy waters, extremely bad weather WPSencountered; nevertheless he succeeded in locating the target ami in navigating his aircraft back tobase. F/O. L A. K. OSBON. R.A.F.V.R., No, lotSqn. (since repotted Prisoner of War).—As navi gator, this officer displayed outstanding abilityHe flew with several different captains, but always with the same keenness and determination to giveof his best.. On a-number of occasions, in circum- stances of bad weather or heavy opposition, hi?fine navigation ha? been mainly wsponsible for the safe return of his aircraft. F/O. T. W. PIKECE. R.C.A.F.. No. 15 Sfin.F/O. Pieiee has displayed great ability and eQi ciency as a navigator On several ooensions hehas participated in sorties, when outstanding photographs have been taken of target areas Aftera recent attack on Genoa, his aircraft was forced to return via the Alps at a height of 6,000 fertOwing to the navigational skill displayed by F/O Pierce, his captain was enabled to find a saferoute and flv the aircraft through the valleys uithost mishap. F/O. J. J RICBAHOSON. R.N.ZA.F No. 189Sqn.—One day in September, 1942. this officer iva* captain of an aircraft in a loimation which suc-cessfully attacked a strongly escorted enemy convov off the Norwegian coast. He pressed home hi?attack with great determination, hitting a 5,000-ton -hip which was afterwards confirmed as sunk.Again in October 1942, while on anti-shipping
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