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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 0917.PDF
APRIL 8TH, 1943 FLIGHT 375 SERVICE AVIATION No. 106 Sqn.—Since the award of the D.F.C. thisofficer has continued to participate in attacks oh a wide variety of targets in Germany andItaly. Hi9 sorties include raids on Gdynia, Essen and Berlin and the daylight attacks on LeCreusot and Milan. Distinguished Flying Cross "< Lt. Col. R. A. BLACKWELL, S.A.A.F.—Thisofficer has completed a large number of opei'*- ,tional sorties during his eight months', service inthe Western Desert. In night flying operations •~he has displayed *« fearless determination to"engage the enemy, regardless of the odds against him.• Lt. Col. C, S, COPFEN, S.A.A.F.—As squadron commander, this officer has displayed a highstandard of operational efficiency. One night in January, 1943, he Ifd an attack by Baltimoreaircraft on enemy xransnort on the Misurata road. The sortie proved successful, giving the air-crews great confidence. Within•• the next eight days Lt. Col. Coppen led several of the one hun-dred sortie.; which were made in this type of aircraft.Major F. KOTZE, S.A.A.F.—Since Major Kotze has been in command of his squadron he has leda number of operational sorties, the majority of which have been by night. His enthusiasm fornight flying operations has set a. splendid example to his crews. Fit. Lt. B. R. SMITH. NO. 112 Sqn.—Fit. Lt.Smith is a courageous fighter. In October, 1942, on his first sortio with the squadron he shot downone of four MeasernchmitU which were inter- cepted. Some days later, during a bombingsortie, ha destroyed an Italian aircraft after evading an enemy fighter which had pursuedhim. In December, 1942, Fit. Lt. Smith destroyed two enemy aircraft on one 301 tie, bring- \ ing his total victories to eight. Picked Up Pilot Fit. Lt. D. H. CLARKE, NO. 250 Sqn.—Thiiofficer has taken part in many operational mis- sions both over Northern France and in theMiddle East. lie has invariably displayed great courage and determination, while his excellentwork has contributed materially to the successes obtained. On one occasion, following a determinedattack on an enemy airfield, Fit. Lt. Clarke landed in very rough terrain and under shellfire, and picked cp a pilot of his formation who had been forced to make a crash landing. Heafterwards flew safely back to base. He has destroyed two enemy aircralt, one of them at Act. Fit. Lt. C. F CAMPBEI.1, R.AF.V.R., No.109 Sqn. Fit Lt. J. TUBKBULL, R.A.F.V.R., No. 109Sqn.—One night in January, 1943, Fit. Lts. Campbell and Turnbull were captain and navi-gator respectively of an aircraft attacking Dussel- dorf. During the run up to the target the air-craft commenced to vibrate violently but, in the face - of great difficulties, Fit. Lt. Campbellresolutely completed . his , attack. - Immediately afterwards the starboard engine caught fire andbecame unserviceable. On the homeward flight, when neating the Dutch coast, the port enginelost some power, causing the aircraft to lose height. Despite this. Fit. Lt. Campbell flew theaircraft back and made a safe landing at an air- field in this country. Throughout Fit. Lt. Turn-bull displayed navigation oi the highest order which contributed materially to the safe returnof the aircraft. F/O. "W. T. H. GILL, R.C.A.F., No. 73 Sqn.-F/O. Gill has taken an outstanding part in the squadron's night flying operations and, duringthe operations leading up to the fall of Tripoli achieved many excellent, results! from low-ievrtattacks. t',O. A. G. IIUNTFB, R.O.A.F.--During the la^tfive months F/O. Hunter has taken part in vei> long nights in single-engined aircraft over se.iand heavily defended areas. He has had to come down low to photograph enemy targets on severaloccasions. F/O. J. McGtLL, R.A.F.V.R No. 73 Sqn -Since the campaign for Tripoli began this officer has flown on many sorties, including recon-naissances and low-level attacks on enemy trarfS- port. On one occasion in November, 1942, duringa low-flying attack on enemy motor transport, his aircraft was severely damaged by opposing firefrom the ground. Although two of his petrol tanks were pierced, F/O. McGill flew his damagedaircraft safely to base. Lt. F. WELGEMOED S.A.A.F., No. 40 (S.A.A.F.)8qn.—Lt. Weigemoed kas completed a large num- ber of tactical reconnaissances. Although he hasbeen intercepted by the enemy several times and has once been shot- down, his enthusiasm anddetermination or operational flying are un- diminished.P/O. D. R. WISEMAN, R.C.A.F., No. 73 Sqn-.- Throughout the operations beginning in October.1942, this officer has participated in a large number of sorties and patrols over enemy territory. He has always pressed hotne his attacks legardless of the opposition encountered. I'/O.Wiseman has made many highly successful attacks Mi moonlight nights at ft very luw level, destroy-ing much enemy transport. < Act. Sqn. Ldr. M. C. H. BARBER, R.A.F.V.R ,No. 450 (R.A.A.F.) 8qn—As flight and squadron commander his steady judgment and hi»h moraleproved a tower of strength. In one fligh; during the battle of El Alcmein, Sqn. Ldr. Barber des-troyed three Ju S7». Fit. Lt. J. G. COLE.—This officer has complete,!a large number of operational missions, involving long and arduous flights over heavily defendedareas. Fit. Lt. F. SOHAAF, R.A.A.F., No. 450(R.A.A.F.) Sqn.—This officer has taken part in many operational sorties and has destroyed threeenemv aircraft in combat On one occasion, when attacking Castel Benito, he. destroyed an enemyaircraft on the ground. Two days later. Fit. Lt. Schaftf led a formation in an attack on fiveFw 19Os, three of which were destroyed. Act. Fit. Lt. G. W. TBOKE, R.C.A.F., No. 250Sqn.—This officer has destroyed three enemy air- craft, two of which he shot down on one sortie;he has also assisted in the destruction of two more enemy aircraft. Lt. G. LLOVD, S.A.A.F.," No. 40 Sqn.—On oneoccasion in November, 1942, this officer was the pilot of one of two aircraft which were inter-cepted by a number of enemy aircraft over the El Agheila area. During; the ensuing fight hiscomrade was shot down, but lit. Lloyd; although his own aircraft was damaged, continuously en-gaged the enemy fighters. Thus his comrade was enabled''to land bis crippled aircraft saiely andlater rejoin his squadron. P/O. D. IBBOTSON, R.A.F.V.R., No. 601 Son.—In the campaign in the Western Desert P/O. Ibbotson has flown with great distinction, andhas destroyed at least seven enemy aircraft. On one occasion he crash-landed near Mersa Matmh,but, aided by friendly Arabs, he was enabled to rejoin his unit. P/O. M. S. JONES, R.A.F.V.E., No. 73 Sqn.-In the campaign in the Western Desert he has taken part in many operations , against enemyground targets. Pressing home his attacks from low level, he has caused the destruction of alarge number of trucks and vehicles. P/O. L. J. SlIEPPAED, R.A.F.V.R., No. 260 Sqn.—During the advance in the Western Desert this officer participated in a large number of sorties,including many low bombing and machine gun attacks. In combat, P/O. Sheppard has destroyedthree enemy aircraft. On one occasion he took part in an engagement against a force of fiveMe 109s, all of which were destroyed, one of them by P/O. Jheppard. Sqn. Ldr. A. P. CEAIGIE, R.A.F.V.R., No. 148Sqn.—This officer completed numerous sorties in the Western Desert. In several determinedattacks on Tobruk he achieved much success despite heavy opposition from the ground de-fences. On one occasion, after setting course for base, he returned to the target area and divedto 3,000 feet to release a large bomb, which had not been released in his first attack, on a- heavygun position. Sqn. Ldr. Craigie has attacked many enemy concentrations. On one occasion hedescended to 700 feet to rake a column of tanks and vehicles with machine gun fire. A large firewas started and much confusion ensued. On another occasion he disorganised a convoy oimotor transport by his bombing. Act. Fit. Lt. J. R. COLLINS, NO. 3 Sqn.—Thisofficer has completed a large number of opera- tional missions. On two occasions he has attackedand damaged an enemy aircraft whilst flying orer enemy airfields. On other occasions he has in-flicted damage on three barges and four locomo- tives. F/O. J. R. BALDWIN, R.AJ.V.R., NO. 609 Sqn.—This officer has participated in numerous sorties, invariably displaying great courage and opera-tional efficiency. This was amply demonstrated during a sortie one day in January, 1943. whenhe attacked a formation of three enemy aircraft. In his first attack, F/O. Baldwin shot down theleading aircraft of the hostile formation. Follow- ing this success he destroyed another of the for-mation before his own aircraft was hit in one of the wings. When the third enemy fighterattempted to attack from the rear, F O. Baldwin outmanoeuvred (lie attacker and shot it down.On another occasion, during a sortie over Uelgitim. he damaged four locomotives.Wing Cdr. L. C. SLEE. D.S.O., No. 49 Sqn.— Wing Cdr. Slee has made a number of well-executed and determined Attacks on German and Italian targets. Since being awarded the D.S.O.he has taken part in a number of further sorties. In October, 1942. Genoa was bombed from 8.000feet and two days later he led his squadron on a daylight raid on Milan, making his attackfrom 3,500 feet. In November, 1942, he took part in a daylight operation on Osnabruck anddescended to within 700 feet before releasing his bombs. On all these occasions he brought backphotographs. Act. Wing Cdr. R. C. O. LOVELOCK, NO. 461R.A.A.F. Sqn.—Both as CO. and as captain of aircraft this.officer has set an outstanding ex-ample to the members of his squadron-. Through- out his long operational career he has distin-guished himself by his skill and coolness. Sqn. Ldr. D. A. BRAITHWAITE, NO. 521 Sqn.—Sqn. Ldr. Braithwaite has completed a large number of meteorological flights ' over GreatBritain and the North Sea. Owing to his devo- tion to duty the squadron, for whose-work heis entirely, responsible, has maintained a high standard of efficiency throughout. Essen Attacks Act. Sqn. Ldr. D. A. J. McClX'BE. NO. 83 Sqn.—Sqn. Ldr. McClure has completed a large num- ber of successful sorties, many of which havebeen against the most heavily defended targets. On one occasion during an attack on Essen hisaircraft was engaged by night fighters and the two rear gunners were seriously injured. The air-. craft was badly damaged before the enemy fighters were finally eluded by the skilful evasive actionof" this officer. In a subsequent attack on Essen, Sqn. Ldr. McClure's aircraft was heavily engagedby the ground defences. Despite this he pressed home the attack, but the aircraft was hit andSqn. Ldr. McClure was seriously wounded. After a period in hospital he displayed an undiminishedkeenness for operational duties. Major W. S. CLARK. S.A.A.F., No. 69 Sqn.—Since May, 1942, Major Clark has been in charge of a flight of Wellington bombers. He has flownon shipping searches and attacked enemy convoys. On two occasions he secured hits on enemy mer-chant vessels. Major D. IT. NEL. S.A.A.F., No. 24 (S.A.A.F.)Sqn.—This officer has prayed himself invaluable as second in command of the squadron. Hisbrilliant leadership has played no small part in the successes achieved by the squadron.Act. Sqn. Ldr. E. I.. J. BELL, NO. 12 Sqn.— This officer has participated in operational sortiesover many heavily defended, targets, including Berlin; Kiel and the Ruhr. These attacks haveinvariably been completed with courage and skill Act. Sqn. Ldr. L. F. PENNY, NO. 113 Sqn.—Sqn.Ldr. Penny has been continuously employed on operational flying since July, 1941, and for thelast seven months he has served as Flight Com- mander. He has taken part in low-level attackson enemy shipping and installations at Tripoli, also many sorties in the Western Desert andJapanese occupied Burma. Fit. Lt. W A. C. BALL, R.N.Z.A.F., No. 156Sqn.—This officer has completed operational Sights over many heavily • defended enemy targets inGreece, Libya. Italy and Germany. He took part in the " 1.000 Bomber Raids " on Cologne andthe Ruhr. , Fit. Lt. D. H. T. HILDYAED, No. 205 Sqn.-During an exceptionally long operational career Fit. Lt. Hildyard has displayed ability, initiativeand resource, both in the normal routine of con voy escort and anti-submarine patrol duties. Onone <Kva*ion ho was instrumental in rescuing An Arado 196 reconnaissance seaplane on the catapult of a German cruiser.
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