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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 1054.PDF
FLIGHT APRIL 22ND, 1543 M.'S=U iioiu 50 feet. He also attacked the vesselwith machine-gun fire. On another sortie, Sqn. l,dr. Anderson was detailed to illuminate withflares the josition oi a convoy to direct a bomb- ing force to the attack lie skilfully accomplishedhis mission in the lace of fire from the ships. Major J. L. HEWITSA, S.A.A.F., No. 5 (S.AA.F.)Sqn., awa.ded with effect from June 2nd. 1942.— This officer has participated in nearly every one•'I Che squadron's recent sorties. By his valuable .rid excellent leadership in his particular task,ihe squadron has been able to return with valu- able information concerning the enemy, and. atthe samr t'inr iuflic; heav\ casualties on the enemy in the air. Major Hewitsa has destroyed;. t least three enemy aircraft. Fit. Lt J F. DAVIS. R.A.F.V.R., No. 95 Sqn.-This office- hr.s been continuously employed on operational Cying since January, 1941, and hasserved as captain of aircraft since May, 1942. On one occasion the oil pressure on one engine ofhis aircraft: dropped and he was forced to turn back. The propeller became loose and eventuallyilew oii, but owing to this officer's resourcefulness and superb airmanship the aircraft suffered nofiiitlier damage and he was able to land it successfully.Fit. U J. h. NUNN, R.A.F.V.R.. No. 97 Sqn., awarded with effect from September 9th, 1942 —Fit. Lt. Nunn was serving as captain of an air- craft reluming from night operations and stillover enemy territo y when his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter. After two attacksthe engine caught fire and Fit. Lt. Nunn gave orders for the crew to prepare to abandon theaircraft, but he then found the rear gunner was severely wounded and was unable to leave. Fit.I.t. Nunu therefore continued to pilot the air- craft and eventually crash landed, as a result olwhich he received severe injuries. Two Stukas Fit. Lt. J. E. A. WILLIAMS, NO. 450 Sqn,awarded with effect from September 23rd, 1942.— In September, 1942, Fit. Lt. Williams led bissquadron in an attack on a formation of Stukas, strongly escorted by fighters. Displaying greatdetermination he personally destroyed two Stukas. Again, when participating in a defensive patrolover Trigh Capuzzo. his formation was attacked by hostile fighter aircraft. He singled one outand pursued it almost to Tobruk, where he destroyed it. He has since destroyed a fourthenemy aircraft. Act. Fit Lt. K. D. BAKEB, R.C.A.F., No. £14Sqn. (deceased), awarded with effect from Match 30th, 1942—This officer has completed numerousforties since September, 1941, involving attacks on Berlin. Stettin, Kiel. Brest Hamburg andLubeck. One aight in February, 1942, whilst at- tacking Kiel. his aircraft was extensivelydamaged by anti aircraft fire, the undercarriage, flaps and turrets being rendered useless. Theairspeed indicator ceased to function and the fabric was torn in numerous places. On the re- nagedin thi3 country where he landed with the under i-arriago retracted. On impact, the aircraft•-aught file. The crew managed to escape but the second pilot and & gunner each sustained a frac-turej arm. while Fit. Lt. Baker's nose was broken. Act. Fit. Lt. A. G. BIBD, R.A.F.V.R., No. 268Sqn—Fit Lt. Bird has taken part in many and varied operational sorties, including the " 1,000bomber raid " in May, 1942 On several occasions h.'S aircraft has been hit by anti-aircraft lire, butFit Lt. Bird has always displayed skill and flown back to base safely. In February, 1943. he led ahighly successful attack over Holland and later in the same month he led a formation of sevenaircraft in an attack on a barracks in Holland, returning without, loss or damage to any afrcraft. Act. FJt. Lt. X. H. E. OOLDJE, R.A.F.V.R., No200 Sqn.—Fit Lt. CSoldio has .completed a large number' of operational flying hoqrs In October,1942 while on a patrol he sighted a lifeboat con- taining survivors and continued to patrol in theviciuity of the boat to the limit of daylight, in extremely bad weather. Later in the same inouthhe made four sorties in ten days in the face of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire.. He alsomade a flight of 500 miles over hostile territory in November, 1942. in addition to a number ofreconnaissance sorties. Through Ostend Streets Act Fit. Lt. M. J. GRAY, R.A.F.V.It., No. 168Sijn.—This officer is a fine leader and a courageous pilot, who has completed many long-range recon-naissances in single-seater fighters. During sorties in seareh of enemy shipping along the Dutchcoast he has located and reported accurately the position of numerous convoys. Fit. Lt. Gray hasdamaged eight enemy vessels and nine locomo- tives. No aircraft has been lost from any forma-tion led by him. On a recent sortie he flew low through the streets of Ostend in the face ofintense anti-aircraft fire. Act Fit. Lt. O. G. MARSHALL, R.A.F.V.R., No,95 Sqn,—Since May, 1942, Fit. Lt. Marshall has flown on many operational sorties. On one occa-sion while serving as second pilot his aircraft was forced to alight on the sea and was towed toport He went aboard the corvette and organised the tow, giving valuable assistance both to nigcaptain and the captain of the corvette. Later as captain of aircraft, by hie skilful airmanship, hehas several times successfully fought oft enemy lircraft. On one sortie his aircraft was severelydamaged but he flew it saielv back, a distance of 1C0 miles, on two engines. On yet another occa-sion this officer's aircraft was attacked by a Fw. Kurrier, but. with skill and courage he successfully drove off the attacker. F/O. H. L. COONS, R.C.A.F., No. 95 Sqn.—Thisofficer has been continuously engaged in opera- tional duties since September, 1941. On twooccasions his aircraft has been forced down on to the sea. Its exact location, however, was easilydiscovered by the searching ships as a result of the accurate signals sent out by F/0. CoonsWhen, on another sortie, the bomb room caught fire, this officer gallantly assisted in extinguishing the outbreak. Three times he has partici pated in engagements with enemy aircraft aDd.on the last occasion, a Fw-. Kurrier was probably destroyed. F/O. R. J. COOPER, NO. 38 Sqn. (deceased),awarded with effect from October 28tb, 1941.— Since October, I94O, this officer has carried outmany operational sorlies. One night in Septem- ber, 1941, during a raid on Tripoli, his aircraftwas hit by anti-aircraft fire which ignited one of the parachute flares in his aircraft. The aircraftcaught fire but, under F/O. Cooper's direction, the flames were extinguished and the aircraft wasflown safely back to base. F/O. B. J. FYSON, R.A.F.V.R., No. 103 Sqn.(deceased), awarded with effect from March 21st, 1942.—This officer has displayed outstandingability as an air-gunner and his quiet confidence has contributed largely in maintaining the moraleof his crew at a very high standard. In July, 1941, he took part in a daylight raid against theenemy battleships at Brest, and, whilst crossing the French coast, his section was attacked bythree enemy fighters, all of which were shot down after a fierce engagement at very short range.Throughout this encounter F/O. Fyson, as rear gunner in the leading aircraft, displayed greatcoolness, and handled his guns with determina- tion. He undoubtedly assisted in shooting downtwo of the three aircraft and was solely respon- sible for destroying the third at a range, of lessthan 50 yards. SERVlc NEW HATS FOR THE LADIES : The old (left) and new style of head gear for the Canadian W.A.A.F. Opinion is almost bound to differ. F/O. L. A. J. MILLS, R.A.F.V.R. (decease.];awarded with effect from August 26th, 1941- This officer hag completed numerous long-ran;!sorties as rear gunner. One of these was a <i,v, light attack on Borkum, in the course of whirl;his aircraft was attacked by four Me. I09s. Al- though wounded in the left forearm by fire fromthe first enemy aircraft, F/O. Mills repelled the attack but, as he was being relieved, a furtherattack was made by the enemy fighters. Despite great pain from six shrapnel wounds in the fore-arm, which must have affected his ability to mani- pulate his turret. F/O. Mills immediately re-turned to his post and displaying unshakeable confidence, engaged and destroyed one of the at-tackers. Since recovering from his wounds F/O. Mills has participated in the attack on the enemybattle cruiser at La Pallice. His aircraft was intercepted by three Messorschmitta, but he suc-cessfully drove them off, damaging one by accurate fire at long range. Act. F/O. N. E WiNcn, it.A.F.V.R., No. 7 Son.,awarded with effect from May 14th, 1942.—This officer is a skilful and keen captain of aircraft.Since September 1941, he has participated in a large number of xortios, including Berlin, Brest,Essen, Kiel, Rostock and Warnemund. In April, 1942, he was captain of an aircraft detailed toattack a target in the Ruhr. Following a success fill attack, his aircraft was attacked by an enemyfighter, which was shot down and seen to crash P/O. J. A. WOBSWICK, R.A.F.VR., No. 106Sqn. (deceased), awarded with effect from Ma\ 24th, 1942.—P/O. Worswick's first operation*!sorties were made as navigator of Hampden air- craft. In July, 1941, he participated in the day-light raid on Brest. A few weeks later he too* part in a daylight attack on the power stationat Gosnay. Other sorties include mine laying mi«- sions in the Baltic and the bombing of theenemy's naval ports and of industrial targets in the Ruhr. Recently P/O. Worwick has acted ascaptain of aircraft He has participated in raids on Essen, Lubeck and a low level attack onRestock. Fit. Lt. M. H. MAGGS, R.A.F.V.R., No. 605Sqn.—This officer, who has completed a large number of operational missions, h a skilful anddetermined air ?unner. He has destroyed two enemy aircraft at night. F/O. A. J. HEMELTK, R.A.F.V.R, No 70 Sqn -F/O. Hemelik is a navigator-bomb aimer of high merit. Whatever the opposition he never releaseshis bombs until he is satisfied that the objectives are truly in his sights. Several times he has madea number of runs over the target to ensure accu- racy of aim. On three occasions, when ordered torelease flares to illuminate the bombing bv other craft of Tobruk, then most heavily defended, heaccomplished his task in what was judged tlie bert of many such oneiations. In the battle area. F/O.Hemelik has taken part in many sorties. F/O. W. M. WHITAMOKE, R.A.F.V.R., No. 601Sqn.—This officer is a keen and determined fighter who has destroyed four and damaged several more^nemy aircraft. His fine leadership and excellent. example have been worthy of high praise. P/O. R F. SCOTT-KIDPIE, No. 162 Sqn.-P/O.Scott-Kiddie, who is an air gunner, has displayed great courage and coolness in the face of theenemy. On four occasions, when his aircraft has been attacked by enemy fighters, his concise com-mentary on the enemy's movements have enabled his pilot to take the necessary evading action. Onthree of these encounters his good shooting h.is damaged the attacking aircraft. Distinguished Flying Medal Fit. Sgt. C. STEWAHT, XO. 7 Sqn.—For citationsee FH. Lt. Thompson, D.F.C. Fit. Sgt. C. D. HANDLBV. NO. 139 Sqn-Forcitation see Wing Cdr Shami. Sgt K. P. LEACH. NO. 235 Sqn.-As navi-gator, Sgt. Leach has flown on many operational missions. On several occasions, when his aircrafthas sustained damage in encounters with the enemy, his skilful work has contributed materiallyto its safe return to base. In February. 1943. during a reconaissance flight, his aircraft wasattacked by two enemy fighters. During the en- gagement Sgt. Leach was wounded in the foot,but. while rendering assistant-e to his pilot, who had been hit in the shoulder, he gave skilfulevafline directions which enabled the pilot to shake off the attackers. Fit. Sgt. G. A. WEST, NO. 97 Sqn.—This airman has completed numerous operational sortins over very heavily defended targets both in Ger-many and Italy. On one occasion in December his aircraft was attacked bv an enemy fighter aii'lhad to be flown back to this country in very ail- verse circumstances. His cool and skilful actionundoubtedly saved the lives of the injured mem berB of his irew.Act. Fit. Sgt. F. GLLE8, No. 156 Sqn.-F!i. Sgt. Giles has participated in a large number ofoperational sorties, on many of which his skill and determination have been largely instrumentalin locating and bombing the target despite adverse weather. One night in October, 1942, in opera-tions against objectives in Western Germany, tjils airman successfully navigated his aircraft to iin'target in spite of heavy cloud conditions a'"1 dropped his flares. Fit. Sgt. J. McFARLANE, R.A.AT.. >"• *50(R.A.A.F.) Sqn.—In operations in ihe ""'-i;i' JJesert this pilot has displayed great keenne*- a"determination. He has participate! in nv^'- i i b d mc g""detmitio. participaforties, involving lo • bombing mid uincumcattacks and fighter escort.-. J addifii'ipa uJu addifii'n
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