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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 1189.PDF
MAY 6TH, 1943 FLIGHT 483 SERVICE AVIATION i.ajlh damaged bomber home. He regainediicigiit, and, displaying fine airmanship, crossed the Alps in safety, although one engine failedwhilst so doing. On the remainder ol the jour- ney P/O. Gates rendered valuable assistance loJ,JS captain, and frequently ministered to. his wounded comrade, although this necessitated clam-bering over a hole in the floor of the aircraft in darkness. Aided by the skilful navigation ofSgt. Williams and good work by Sgt. Bain, the ilight engineer, Sgt. Hazard succeeded in flyingthe seriously damaged aircraft back to this country. Wing Cdr. J. R. A. EMBLING, NO. 77 8qn.—InDecember, 1942, Wing Cdr. Enabling captained rut aircraft engaged on an operational mission.In hazardous circumstances his courage, fortitude and devotion to duty were in keeping with thehi»hest traditions of the R.A.F. Act. Fit. Lt. W. H. KELLAWAY, NO. 149 Sqn.-Fit. Lt. Kellaway has completed a large number of operational sorties. In March, 1943, he wascaptain of an aircraft detailed to attack Ham- burg. Shortly after the target had been success-fully bombed, the aircraft was caught in a cone of searchlights and subjected to heavy and concen-trated anti-aircraft fire. The aircraft was hit many tiroes, sustaining very severe damage. Aconsiderable quantity of fuel was lost from holed tanks in both mainplanes. The starboard outerengine failed shortly afterwards, and the .pro- peller was feathered. As the English coast wascrossed the port outer engine also stopped. Though all petrol gauges were now reading zero,this engine was restarted, and Fit. Lt. Kellaway then effected a masterly land-ing at the nearest airdrome. ; Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross Act. Sqn. Ldr. J. E. WALKER, D.F.C.,R.C.A.F., No. 243 Sqn.—In operations in North Africa Sqn Ldr. Walker hasdestroyed four enemy aircraft. By his great skill, fine leadership and untiringefforts, this officer has won high praise. Act.. Fit. Lt. M. G. B. ANDERSON,D.F.C.—In the campaign in North Africa this officer has completed many long-range reconnaissances. He has dis- played great skill and devotion to duty,setting an example worthy of the highest praise. Act. Sqn. Ldr. D. J. ISTED, D.F.C.,No. 120 Sqn.—This officer has made three excellent attacks against enemysubmarines within recent weeks. On one occasion he completed an outstandingflight lasting approximately 18 hours, during which he made a most deter-mined attack on an enemy U-boat when flying some 900 miles from his base. Act. San. Ldr. C. 8. DOWIE, D.F.C.,R.C.A.F., No. 426 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn.—One night in February, 1943, this officer cap-tained an aircraft detailed to attack a target in Hamburg. In the face of heavyopposing fire from the ground defences, Sqn. Ldr. Dowie pressed home a vigorousattack, but, immediately after releasing hia bombs, the aircraft was hit. Thehydraulic system was damaged, causing the bomber's wheels to be lowered, thebomb doors to open and the flaps -to sag. Nevertheless, Sqn. Ldr. Dowie set adirect course for home. Although his aircraft was subjected to almost con-tinuous anti-aircraft fire until the tnemy's coast was crossed, he flew thedamaged bomber to an airfield in this country-, where he effected a masterlylanding. Distinguished Flying CrossFit. Lt. D. .J. D'Ai/TON, R.A.F.V.R., No. 178 Sqn.—This officer has taken part in numerousoperational missions, a number of them in the Middle East. As gunnery officer his work has beenoutstanding. On one occasion over Benghazi, his aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters. Two ofThe bomber's engines were put out of action, the hydraulics were rendered unserviceable, and theintercommunication became useless. Displaying great coolness, ,Flt. Lt. D'Alton gave his captainevading directions which enabled him to fly clear of the attackers. On the homeward flight, aboutan hour later, the aircraft was attacked by another enemy fighter. Once more, Fit. Lt.D'Alton's commentary on the attacker's move- ments enabled his pilot to evade the fighter andfly fii to base. He has suggested tactics in gun- nery and formation flying which have beenailopied and have resulted in the destruction of si least seven enemy fighters. Act. Fit. Lt. J. S. TANNAHIIX, R.A.F.V.R.. No.178 Sqn,—This officer has participated in many •orties. a number of them with his present squad-ron. He has attacked Tobruk and Benghazi several times and always pressed home his bomb-"is with great "determination. As well as opera- tion* against Tripoli, Sousse and Naples, Fit. Lt.1'au.nnhill has completed many sorties ^against slapping in the Mediterranean. On one occasionbe attacked shipping in the harbour at Suda Bay with good results. Fit. Lt. P. A. WILLATT, No. 178 Sqn.-Flt.I-t. Willatt has completed many sorties, including a number of attacks on targets in Germany, Nor-way and Northern France. He has invariably displayed the greatest determination to presshome his attack, whatever the opposition. One day in October, 1942, he flew the leading aircrafto. a bomber formation detailed to attack an enemy convoy. When nearing the target, an enemylighter force was encountered and beaten off, one of the fighters being shot down. Fit. Lt. Willattled his formation in to attack the convoy, but, in the run-up, his bombs failed to release. Unper-turbed, he made a second and then a third run over the target before he released his bombs suc-cessfully. • F/O. L. J. DBUMMOND, R.N.Z.A.F., No. 149Sqn.—One night in February, 1943, F/O. Drum- mond and Fit. Sgt. Harvey were captain andwireless operator respectively of an aircraft de- tailed for a mine-laying mission in an area closein to shore. During, the run-in, the aircraft was subjected to considerable searchlight activity andintense opposing fire which raked the bomber from front to rear. Much damage was sustainedand three of the crew were hit, including Fit. Sgt. Harvey, who suffered a deep wound in thehead. Despite this, F/O. Drummond held on his course and released his mines exactly as planned.On the return flight, Fit. Sgt. Harvey, although in pain and bleeding profusely, remained at hispost, continuing his duties. He obtained a num- ber of fixes and bearings which proved of greatassistance to his captain, who eventually flew the badly damaged aircraft to base Fit. Lt. A. C. COCHEANE, No. 87 Sqn.—Sincejoining the squadron in August, 1942, Fit. Lt. Cochrane has shown himself to be a most capableand keen pilot and flight commander. One night in January, 1945, in moonlight, he destroyed^ athree-engincd enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to seven enemy aircraft destroyed.Fit. Lt. W. McM. GlLMOUB, D.F.M., R.A.F.V.R., No. Ill Sqn.-Flt. Lt. Gilmour isserving on his second tour of operational duty. During his service overseas he has destroyed afurther two enemy aircraft, bringing his total vic- tories to at least seven enemy aircraft destroyed. Sqn. Ldr. G. R. Thurstun, who has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for conspicuous gallantry against the Japanese. His name, with a number of others from the Far East, appears on p. 482. Act. Fit. Lt. C. S. S. GARY, R.A.F.V.R., No. 142Sqn.—Fit. Lt. Cary .has been employed on ob- server duties since June, 1942, during which timehe has flown on many successful sorties. On one occasion owing to this officer's expert navigation,his was the only aircraft to locate and bomb the target in most adverse weather. Act. Fit Lt. S. W. DANIEL, NO. 72 Sqn.—Beforegoing overseas Fit. Lt. Daniel participated in some 60 operational sorties over Northern France.Since his postins; overseas, he has been engaged in many operational sorties and has destroyed fourenemy aircraft. In addition, this officer has destroyed and damaged several enemy transportaircraft during low level machine gun attacks. Act, Capt. V. M. L. LINDSON, S.A.A.F., No. 2Sqn.—Since January, 1942, this officer has flown on a large number of operational sorties. He hasset. a splendid example to his fellow pilots bv the determination with which he has pressed homehis attacks when in combat with the enemy. He has destroyed four enemy aircraft and assisted in "the destruction of two others. Capt. Lindson has also been responsible for inflicting considerablecasualties on enemy personnel and damage to transport and armoured vehicles in low levelmachine gun attacks. F/O. S. B. CARTER, R.A.F.V.R., No» 608 Sqn.—F/O. Carter joined this squsdron in October, 1941, and since that date has been continuouslyengaged in operational flying. Many of his missions have been against enemy shipping nearthe coasts of Norway, Denmark and Holland. He has also attacked antiaircraft ships and sub-marines, and was a member of a crew which attacked the Prim Eugen off Lister. F/O. E. R. COWAN, R.A.F.V.R.—Since Decem-ber, 1941, F/O. Cowan has flown on a large number of photographic reconnaissances, includ-ing Kiel, Hamburg and Berlin, and since his post- ing overseas he has completed several similarsorties in tne Tunis-Bizerta area. In order to obtain good photographs he has remained in th*target areas for long periods. F/O. S. A. GitMAN, R.A.F. V.R., No. 500 Sqn.-This officer has participated in'numerous flying operations against enemy shipping in the WesternApproaches, the Bay of Biscay and the Medi- terranean. On one occasion he made a successfulattack on an enemy submarine with depth charges. On a later occasion, while engaged onsimilar duties, he sighted a fully surfaced U-boat 20 miles distant. By skilful use of cloud cover.F/O, Oilman was able to surprise the enemy, and dropped depth charges at the moment when acrash dive was being attempted. These straddled the conning-tower and soon afterwards large airand oil bubbles were observed on the sea. P/O. J. P. BERRY, R.C.A.F., No. 142 Sqn.—InJuly, 1942, this officer was detailed to partici- pate in a bombing attack on Dusseldorf. Whilstapproaching the target, the aircraft was attacked by an enemy night fighter which was shot, downby the rear gunner. Afterwards the crew flew on and bombed the target successfully. On an-other occasion, while bombing the Ruhr in day- light, by skilful airmanship P/O. Berry made useof scanty cloud cover and completed a successful mission in difficult circumstances. P/O. W, A. GILL, R.A.F.V.R., No. 142 8qn.-P/0. GUI has invariably displayed skill and determination in handling his crew and his air-craft, and has pressed home his attacks on the enemy from low levels, often in the face otheavy ground defences. On one occasion in Sep- tember, 1942. whilst on a sortie to Bremen,although his aircraft sustained severe damage while still some .distance from the target, P/O.Gill continued and completed his mission suc- cessfully. P/O. J. MAY, R.A.F.V.R., No. 142 Sqn.-Thisofficer has consistently displayed fine navigational skill and eagerness to take part inoperations against the enemy. These qualities have contributed to the suc-cess by his crew in obtaining photo graphs ct the target area. ' P/O. T. D. TIKSEV, R.A.F.V.R., No.Ill Sqn.—This officer had completed numerous operational missions, des-troyed two enemy aircraft and dam- aged another before being posted toNorth Africa. He is a keen and de- termined pilot ^ho, since his arrivalin this theatre of war, has continued to display a keen desire to seek outand destroy .the enemy. He has1 now destroyed two more enemy aircraft,bringing his total victories to four. Crashed Before Raid » P/O. W. J. WHITBWOOD. R.A.F.V.R..No. 142 Sqn.—P/O. Whitewood has participated in numerous successfulsorties against heavily defended enemy targets. In October last the aircraftin which he was navigator crashed on faking off. The crew were, considerablyshaken, but volunteered for, and later took part in, a raid on Kiel on the samenight. Recently T/O. Whitewood's air- craft was attacked and set on fire byan enemy night fighter, but eventually " it was navigated safely back to base. Act. Sqn. Ldr. P. P. W. SANDS. NO142 Sqn.—This officer has completed a large number of operational missions.In September, 1942. he undertook a mine laying mission in the face of ex-tremely' adverse weather. During the flight the wireless apparatus and inter-communication and electrical systems of his aircraft became unserviceable.Despite this, he accomplished his task successfully and flew the aircraft backto an airfield, where he was compelled to effect a forced landing. On two morerecent occasions Sqn. Ldr. Sands has displayed great skill and fortitude when undertaking flightsin extremely bad weather. Fit. Lt. D. I. BENHAM, R.A.F.V.R., No. 243Sqn.—Fit. Lt. Benham is a skilful and deter mined pilot. He has destroyed six and damagedseveral more enemy aircraft. F/O. J. R. BYI.ES, R.A.F.V.R., No. 150 Sqn.—This officer has taken part in a large number ol sorties, involving attacks on targets in Germanyand, more recently, in Tunisia. On several occa- sions the aircraft in which he was flying hasbeen attacked by enemy fighters; once his air- craft was hit in no fewer than 40 places. P/O. L. M. CAVANAUGH, R.C.A.F., No. 150Sqn.—As wireless operator, this officer has par- ticipated in many sorties, involving attacks, onvarious and heavily defended targets in Ger- many and, more recently, against targets inTunisia. On one occasion he was a member of an aircraft crew detailed to undertake a mine-laying mission. During the operation, whilst leaving the target area, the aircraft was sub-jected to intense anti-aircraft fire, and the cap tain was hit in the leg. P/O. Cavanaugh imme-diately went to his aid and, by observing the enemy's fire from the ground defences, was ableto direct his captain to take successful evading action. He then rendered first aid to his woundedcomrade. P/O. J. LEE, R.A.F.VJl., No. 93 Sqn.—Thisofficer lias completed a large number of sorties. In operations in North Africa he has displayedgreat skill and determination P/O. Lee. who has destroyed three enemy aircraft, is a fine ""sail Ldr. J. F. II. BOOTH, Nd. 142 Sqn.—Onenight in January. 1943. Sqn. Ldr. Booth, Sgt. Edwards and L.A/C. Skingsley were captain,bomb aimer and acting flight engineer respec- tively of an aircraft wnich attacked tae docksat Bizerta. Shortly after its bombs were released
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