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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 1124.PDF
458 FLIGHT APRIL 29TH, ig43 SERVICE AVIATION v.ere completed from low altitudes, causing muchtiamage and starting two fires. Later in October, 1942, in spite of adverse weather, Sgt. Fraser madea further attack on concentrations of enemy air- rraft. Opposition was strong, but this airmanmade three runs over the target and started three iircs which afterwards joined to form a large con-flagration. Sgt. C. J. SCHULMAN, No. 60 Sqn.—Sgt. Sehul-man has participated in a large number of opera- tional sorties. On two occasions he has been com-pelled to fly his aircraft back to base on only one engine. On another occasion when beingattacked by enemy aircraft, owing to his excep- tional ability as a pilot, he was able to evade theattackers and complete his mission. On several other occasions this airman has completed twosorties in one day. Sgt. J. M. SCOTT, R.A.A.F.. No. 148 Sqn.—Although Bgt. Scott has been involved in three 'flying accidents, he has continued to perform hisduties most efficiently, thereby setting a fine ex- ample to all members of air crew in tlie Squadron.Sgt. G. SOUTEH, No. 69 Sqn.—Sgt. Souter is employed as wireless operator/air gunner in hiinight commander's aircraft and has on several occasions overcome great difficulties whilst trans-mitting important messages to base. His coolness when attacked by the enemy has been responsiblefor the extrication of his aircraft from many hazardous situations. On one occasiou his expert-ness in aircraft recognition enabled his pilot to avoid attack by enemy fighters. Sgt. P. R. STREET1, NO. 148 San.—During histour of operational duties, this pilot has displayed outstanding skill and determination. In Novem-ber, 1942, while attacking enemy motor transport, difficulties were experienced with one engine inhis aircraft- Through skilful pilotage Sgt. Street flew the bomber back to base and made a safelanding. On another occasion, he proceeded on a bombing raid although his port tyre had burston taking oft, and made a successful landing on his return without further damage to the aircraft.Sgt. K. D. MlLNEB, No. 226 Sqn.—In January, 1943, this airman was the air gunner of one of aformation ol Boston aircraft detailed to attack a target at Flushing. Daring the operation heavyanti-aircraft fire and much fighter opposition were encountered. Observing a Me 109 flying in toattack from the rear and below the formation, Sgt. Milner coolly withheld his fire until theattacker came within closer range. Then with a well-directed burst, ho shot it down in flames.Four days later this airman took part in a bomb- ing attack on the viaduct at Morlaix. On thereturn flight, near the French coast, the forma- tion was attacked by a number of enemy fighters.During the engagement Sgt. Milner displayed great still and determination, and played a large partin frustrating the enemy's attacks. Fit. Sgt. K. SMITH, R.N.2.A.F., No. 149 Sqn.-Flt. Sgt. Smith, who has completed 23 operational missions, has invariably displayed outstandingdetermination to make every sortie a success. One night in January, 1943. he captained an aircraftdetailed to attack Lorient. Shortly after taking- off, one compass and the starboard inner propellerexactor control became unservicable, while some time later, when crossing the Channel, the blindflying instruments, with the exception of the turn and bank indicator, became useless. Heavy cloudprevailed along this route, -necessitating much blind flying, but. in spite of his difficulties, Fit.Sgt. Smith reached his target, bombed it and safely accomplished the return flight. On anotherirf»rtie, with a target in Germany as the objective, his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter onthe outward flight. Two engines of the bomber were put out of action, and the aircraft went outof control. Fit. Sgt. Smith regained control and. Stuck Bomb Fit. Sgt. D. E. WHITE, R.A.A.F., and Sgt.F. H. WARD. R.A.A.F., both of No. 406 (R.A.A.F.) Sqn.—These airmen were pilot andbomb aimer respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack St. Nazaire one night in March, 1943.Shortly after crossing the French coast, on the outward flight, a Ju 88 was encountered. In theensuing combat, the bomber was damaged and temporarily went out of control, diving steeply.By a strenuous effort. Fit. Sgt. White pulled out of the dive at 4,000 ft. and, although the aircraftwae difficult to control, continued to the target and bombed it. At the completion of the bomb-ing run, whilst taking a photograph, Sgt. Ward discovered that one of the bombs had failed torelease and could not be jettisoned. Sgt. Ward endeavoured to dislodge the bomb and, after halfan hour of unrelaxed effort, succeeded in so doing. Afterwards, he went to the assistance of his pilot,who was having great difficulty in controlling the damaged bomber. Displaying fine airmanship, Fit.Sgt. White succeeded in flying it back to this country, where he effected a safe landing in diffi-cult circumstances. , Sgt. A. J, W. R. COUPAB. and Fit. Sgt.R. B. CHARTERS, R.C.A.F., both of No. 199 Sqn. —One night in March, 1943, these airmen werecaptain and navigator respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Essen. On the outward flight,one engine of the bomber became overheated, but Sgt. Coupar flew on to the target and bombed it."Shortly after crossing the Dutch coast, on the return journey, the aircraft, was attacked by anenemy fighter, sustaining much damage. The wire- less apparatus was rendered usservieeable, theinter-communication and hydraulic systems were put out of action, causing the bomb doors to openand the undercarriage to hang in the down posi- tion. In spite of this, Sgt, Coupar coolly andskilfully evaded the attacker and set course for base. During the remainder of the homewardflight, Fit. Sgt. Charters, who had been wounded in the chest, displayed great fortitude, remainingat his post to continue his navigational duties. Sgt. Coupar eventually flew the damaged bomberto an airfield, where he effected a successful crash-landing. George Medal P/O. A. G. G. RICHMOND, R.A.A.F.. No. 230Sqn.—P/O. Richmond wae a member of the crew oi a Sunderland aircraft which crashed into thesea in September 1942. He observed another member of the crew (the wireless operator/airgunner), who was surrounded by a pool of burn- ing petrol and unable to swim owing to a brokenleg. Although suffering from lacerations of the scalp, right arm, left leg and left knee, P/O.Richmond dived under the flames, pulling his comrade to safety, and eventually succeeded ingetting him on to a semi-inflated dinghy. • He then supervised the rescue of three more of hiscompanions, and it was not until it became cer- tain that no other survivors were in the vicinitythat he abandoned the search and boarded a - —^—*194*2, Sgt. Godfrey was the rear gunner of a^eii ington aircraft which crashed into some tr« =during a rain storm and bad visibility. The li, craft ourat into flames instantly. After Szt djiifrey had extricated himself from his turret am) fought his way clear of the wreckage he nhserved the wireless operator, who was severelv in jured, lying near the fire. Hs dragged htm clear?Lth5.^?,raI?^ 1 wr^k»K.eA.an4;.havl.n8.*l»<> assisted the pupil pilot to safety, Sgt. Godfrey realkMthat the pilot instructor was trapped in the bla» ing cockpit. He immediately dashed back into The Motor Industries Spitfire squadron at its airfield in North Africa. The runways are apparently a mixture of interlocking Marston strip, as used by the Americans, and our lighter and simpler wire mesh Somerfeld track. the instructor. He was pulling him clear wh7nassistance arrived. Sgt. Godfrey sustained SCVPI* burns, causing temporary blindness. Air Force Medal Sgt. J. D. MuiR.—One night in December 194?Sgt,. Muir was the pilot of a Wellington aircraft' participating in a photo flash bombing excrcis.One photo flash was released successfully ami the second was about to bo released when iexploded in the flare chute and killed the wire less operator. The aircraft became uncontrollableand a fire was started. Sgt. Muir, being unabl, to maintain height, ordered the remaining crewto escape by parachute. This they did with the exception of the navigator, who went to the rearof the aircraft to ascertain the precise condition •of the wireless operator. After reporting to SgtMail' that fie could not detect any pulse tin navigator then left the aircraft. Sgt. Muir 'knewthat a crash was inevitable, but realising that the bomber was in the vicinity of two villagesand being uncertain whether the wireless operator was alive or dead, he decided to remain in theaircraft in an endeavour to land clear of the villages. He succeeded in landing the bomberin a field. Sgt. Muir extricated himself just before the aircraft became enveloped in flames,but he was unable to release the wireless operator! B.E.M. (Mil.) Sgt. R. A. SVMES and Sgt. A. W. NICHOLSboth of R.C.A.F., No. 405 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn - One night in November, 1942, Sgts. Symesand Nichols were the pilot and engmera respectively of an aircraft engaged on anti-submarine patrol duties. On the return journey engine trouble developed, and Sgt. Symeswas compelled to make an emergency landing. In so doing the aircraft struck a hut and burstinto flames. All the crew, with the exception of the wireles operator, who was trapped by thelegs, managed to extricate themselves. Knowing that the petrol tanks might explode at anymoment, Sgt. Symes and Nichols re-entered I lie blazing aircraft and succeeded in extricatingthe wireless operator; a few seconds later th<> petrol tanks exploded. The courage ami devo-tion to duty displayed by these sergeants un- doubtedly saved their comrade's life. Awards of Foreign Decorations Royal Air Force THE KING has granted unrestricted permissionfor the wearing of the undermentioned decora- tions, conferred on the personnel indicated, inrecognition of valuable services rendered in connec- tion with the war : — Conferred by His Majesty the King of the Hellenes Royal Order of George 1 (with Swords) Commander Air Comdre. J. VI. B. GRIGSON, D.S.O.. D.F.C.Act. Air Comdre. C. R. STEELE, D.F.C. Officer Art. Group C'api. 11. T. B. HOUCHTOS. A.F.C Royal Order of the Phoenix (with Swords) Grand Commander Air Vi.-c-Mnr.-hnl V. W. MRRKDITH V BE., A F.C., K.A.F.Y.lt. Air Force Cross (Greek)Ming Oilr. N. »E W. BOULT, A.F.C. Wing Cdr. -N'. O. HEJVURIKZ.Act. Win? L'df. J. A. GREENSHIELDS, A.F.C., R.A.F.V.R.Act. Wine ('dr. Lord M. A. DOUGLAS-HAMILTON, O.B.E., R.A.F.O. Act, Fit. Lt. T. MAGNER, R.A.F.V.R. Conferred by the President of the United States of America Distinguished Flying Cross (American) A.I. Wing Cdr. R M. B. DITKE Woou.u I! * *•>•D.F.C. Conferred by His Majesty the King of Norway War M/>dal Win;; C.?r. 11. B. JOHKbOK, D.1<"JC.
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