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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 0852.PDF
35° FLIGHT APRIL IST, 1943 SERVICE AVIATION U-boats and has also damaged a Ju 88 which wasattempting to shadow a convoy. F/O. A. SCHOLEFILLD, R.A.F.V.R., No. 608Sqn.—This officer completed a strenuous and ex- ceptionally successful tour of operational flyingbefore being posted to Africa, lie was employed for 12 months on sorties and patrols off the Nor-wegian and Danish coasts, where he encountered heavy'opposition. In operations on North AfricaF/O. Scholefield has flown over 125 hours. On one occasion, while flying on an anti-submariaesweep, he sighted a fully surfaced Italian sub- marine. He made a skilful and accurate attackand seriously damaged the vessel. F/O. R. F. C. SHABMAN, R.A.F.V.R., No. 225Sqn.—This officer has piloted aircraft in tactical reeonaissance operations for the Army and hasbrought back valuable information. On a num- ber of occasions he has encountered heavy enemyfighter opposition which he has evaded by skil- ful flying. During one sortie he was attackedby several Me 109s, almost at ground level, and, despite determined attempts to evade tHe attacks,his aircraft v.-as shot down. Although F/O, Shar- man was badly shaken, he reported back to basesome 70 mi'es distant, the same day. Since this experience his chief -concern has been to resumeoperational .duties Three U-boats F/O. J. H. SIMPSON, R A.F.V.R., No. 500 Sqn.—F/O. Simpson has taken part in a large num- ber of patrols and convoy escorts in the North".Western approaches, the Bay of Bisfiay, and in the North African campaign. He was captain of anaircraft on an anti-submarine patrol in the Mediterranean, when he sighted a fuliy surfacedU-boat. He immediately attacked and damaged the vessel. A few days later he observed anotherU-boat being attacked by other aircraft of his squadron and joined in the attack despite heavyfire from the enemy. The .submarine eventually beached. F/O. Simpson's attacks materially con-tributed to this result. Again, two days later, he sighted a U-boat and made a skilful and accurateattack, causing considerable damage to the sub- marine. P/O. R. J. H. ROBERTSON, R.A.F.V.R., No. 72Sqn.—P/O. Robertson has flown continuously on operations since December, 1941, and hasdestroyed at least six euemy aircraft. P/O. L. E. SHORT, R.A.A.F., No. 500 Sqn.—This officer has flown on a large number of anti-submarine patrols in the North WesternApproaches, the Bay ol Biscay and in the Mediterranean. In August, 1942, he was thenavigator in an aircraft which was forced down in a very heavy sea. His calmness and resolutionundoubtedly helped to save the crew. During September, 1942, when returning from an anti-submarine patrol in the Bay of Biscay in very heavy weather, P/O. Short successfully navigatedhis aircraft back to base, although many of his instruments were unserviceable. On three occa-sions he successfully attacked enemy submarines, causing considerable damage. W/O. H. W. CiIAENOOK, D.F.M., No. 72 Sqn—W/O. Oharnock is a section leader of distinction who has at, all' times shown great keenness to»engage the enemy. He has participated with much success in numerous low-level attacks against enemy transport and has destroyed atleast six hostile aircraft. Sqn. Ldr G. H. DENHOLM, NO. 236 Sqn.—InJanuary, 1943, this officer was detailed to under take a shipping reconnaissance off the Norwegiancoast. In spite of extremely adverse weather, Sqn. Mr. Denholm completed his mission suc-cessfully, bringing back important information. Later in the month he completed two operationalmissions demanding a high degree of skill and fortitude. F/O. E. E. JEFFREYS, R.A.F.V.R., No. 236 Sqn. F/O. R. A. IaviNO, R.A.F.V.R., No. 236 Sqn.In January, 1943, F/O.s Jeffreys and Irving were pilot and navigator respectively of an air-craft engaged on a shipping reconnaissance, over enemy waters. In Bpite of adverse weather BUC-cess was achieved and valuable information ob- tained. On a further two sorties later in themonth they displayed great fortitude and devo- tion to duty. Fit. Lt. K. H. BUENS, No. 61 Sqn.-Flt. Lt.Burns and Fit. Sgt. McAvoy have flown together as captain and navigator on a number of opera-tional sorties, including a reconnaissance of Turin from a height o£ 500 feet. In January, 1943,they took part in a raid on Berlin, and after releasing their bombs in the target area ob-tained an excellent: photograph. Fit. Lt. H. G. EDWABDB, NO. 89 Sqn.—Fit. Lt.Edwards has displayed exceptional ability during night flying operations and has destroyed fiveenemy aircraft During July and August, 1942, twenty-two enemy aircraft were destroyed by adetachment of his squadron while under his command.Act. Fit. Lt. J. F. EDWARDS, D.F.M., R.O.A.F., No. 260 Sqn.—In D«eember, 1942, Fit. Lt.Edwards was commander of a formation engaged in patrol duties over our forward troops. Duringthe flight, ten enemy aircraft were encountered and Fit. Lt. Edwards destroyed one of five whichwere shot down. Two days later he destroyed another hostile aircraft, bringing his total victoriesto eight. F/O. N. E. REEVES, R.A.F.V.R., No. 89 Sqn.-Since his arrival in Malta this officer has destroyed five enemy aircraft during darkness,and another in daylight, bringing his total vic- tories to seven aircraft destroyed. F/O. M. C. SHIPARD, R.A.A.F., No. 89 Sqn.—F/O. Shipard has always shown great courage and devotion to duty. While serving in Maltahis keenness to participate in operational flying has been a splendid example to all air crews. Hehas destroyed lour enemy aircraft by night.' Home on One Engine i'/O. J. N. W. VOTING. R.A.F.V.R., No. 89Sqn.—In January, 1943, this officer was detailed to make an attack on enemy road transport inTunisia. During the raid, anti-aircraft fire severely damaged the port engine of his aircraftand destroyed the dinghy. Undeterred, F/O. Young proceeded with his mission and successfullymachine-gunned transport and attacked a convoy before returning to base two hundred miles away,which be reached safely although his port engine hnd failed completely V170. A. A. O'LEARV, D.F.M., No. 89 Sqn.—During night flying operations this observer has taken part in the destruction of at least sevenenemy aircraft. W/O. C. T. PHILLIPS, NO. 176 Sqn.—On hisfirst operational flight in the Far East W/O. Phillips, as observer, and Fit. Sgt. Pring, aspilot, co-operated in the destruction of a forma- tion of three Japanese aircraft within four Air Marshal Sir A. Sheridan Barratt, K.C.B., C.M.G., M.C., A.O.C. in C. Army Go-operation Command, with the Chief of A<r Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal, during the recent offensive exercises. minutes. W/O. Phillips and Fit. Sgt. Pring havecompleted numerous operational sorties, in the course of «fhich they have displayed outstandingskill and courage. Fit. Sgt. Pring has destroyed a total of six enemy aircraft, -while W/O. Phillipsbus taken part in the destruction of eight eneniv aircraft at night. Act. Fit. Lt. 0. P. REED, NO. 85 Sqn.-As observerthis officer has completed a large number of hours flying on night operations. He has displayedgreat skill and keenness and participated in t, nedestruction of two enemy aircraft and the damag- ing of three others.W/O. W. N. ADPISON, D.F.M., No. 85 Sqn.— This airman is an observer of high merit. Sincebeing awarded the D.F.M. he has participated in the destruction of three enemy aircraft atnight. Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) Fit. Sgt. L. B. WALLACE, R.N.Z.A.F., No. 83Sqn.—One night in December, 1942, this airman was the wireless operator of an aircraft detailedto attack Munich. On the outward flight the aircraft was intercepted by an enemy fighter andsubjected to a number of attacks. In the first, which was made directly Irom beneath the bomber,the bomb aimer was seriously wounded, while Fit. Sgt. Wallace received a bullet wound inthe leg. Some flares inside the aircraft were set alight, while the matting on the floor be-low the mid-upper gunner's turret and every- thing inflammable in cloBe proximity becameignited and commenced to burn furiously. Despite his injury, and with complete disregard fordanger, Fit. Sgt, Wallace immediately attempted to quell the flames. The heat and stifling fumescompelled him to desist several times, but, un daunted, he jettisoned all moveable burningmaterial through the rear turret, and finally subdued the fire. On the homeward flight, Fit.Sgt. Wallace displayed great skill in obtaining fixes, sending signals and doing everything inhis power to assist his pilot in flying the damaged aircraft back to this country. Bar to Distinguished Flying Medal Fit. Sgt. D. A. OXBy, D.F.M., No. 89 Sqn.-Flt. Sgt. Oxby has displayed exceptional keenness and devotion to duty, and high technical skill andcourage; he has taken part in the destruction at night of thirteen enemy aircraft. Distinguished Flying Medal Fit. Sgt. J. K. McAvoy, R.C.A.F., No. 61 Sqn.—For citation see Fit. Lt. Burns. Fit. Sgt, A. M. O- PRING, NO. 176 Sqn.-Forcitation see W/O. Phillips. Fit. Sgt. F. W. CURTIS, NO. 89 Sqn.—fit. Sgt.Curtis has shown outstanding keenness and devo- tion to duty over a long period. He has takenpart in the destruction of four enemy aircraft at night. Fit. Sgt. J. M. DEMPSTER. R.C.A.F., No. 57Sqn.—As air gunner, this airman has participated in numerous sorties, including an attack onBerlin and the daylight raids on Le Creusot and Milan. One night in December, 1942, during aflight to Duisburg, Fit. Sgt. Dempster shot down an enemy fighter which attempted to attack hisaircraft. One night in January, 1943, he took part in an attack on Essen. During the returnflight his aircraft was attacked by an enemv fighter, but Fit. Sgt. Dempster drove it off withdevastating fire, which caused it to fall towards the ground with one of its engines alight. Fit. Sgt. VV. E. STEWART, R.C.A.F., No. 260Sqn.—This airman has participated in it large number of bombing and low level machine gunattacks, in which considerable damage has been inflicted on the enemy. Fit. Sgt. Stewart hasdestroyed one and assisted in the destruction of another hostile aircraft. THE KING has been graciously pleased toapprove the following awards: — M.B.E. (Mil.) Lt. A. KINGON, 8.A.A.F.—In December, 1941,this officer was pilot of an aircraft which was attacked by fighters while over the enemy lines,aud the port engine was set alight. The observer was able to escape by parachute, but both gunnerswere seriously wounded and unable to jump. Lt. Kingon showed great skill in landing the burningaircraft, and superb courage in rescuing both gunners. After dragging the gunners 100 yards,he returned for the emergency water supply aDd first aid kit, although the aircraft was blazingand ammunition was exploding, and continued to give first aid treatment to his wounded com-panions until enemy troops arrived. Military Medal A/C.l H. L. BOWDEN, No. 651 Sqn.-One da?in November, 1942, A/C.l Bowden was left in charge of a section at an Advanced LandingGround in N. Africa Later in the day tbi» Advanced Landing Ground had to be abandoned,and A/C.l Bowden took his section with their weapons into the hills. Two hours later theyreturned, hoping to move their vehicle, but were driven off by machine gun fire. They returnedat dark, and spent that night in their vehicle. Next day they were again forced to take to thehills by machine-gun fire, but in the afternoon decided to try to move the track under coverof a move forward by some American tanks. The subsequent withdrawal of these tanks forcedthe section to take to the hills again, but A/C.l Bowden decided to make another a1 tempt, amireturned with his men to the track and extricated it under cover of darkness. Throughout thisperiod A/C.l Bowden has shown great powers of leadership, determination and devotion to dut1in that he steadfastly refused to abandon hi? vehicle. The other men of his section loyally
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