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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 1820.PDF
SERVICE AVIATION under conditions ol extreme ciifBculty in a veryicmgh sea. F/O. K. ti. SPIEKS—F/O. Spiers took part inoperational sorties ia France, and since then has participated in many operations against targetsin Tunisia^ including low level attacks on enemy transport. • . F/O. A. C. WATBON, R.A.F.V.R., No. 40 Sqn.— Thi» officer lias completed a large number of operations against targets in Crete, Libya, Tunisia,Sicily and Trinolitaoia, He has been engaged on both bombing worties ao4 reeonnaiA&anrffl, achiev-ing on orif occasion the destruction of a number of enemy dispersed aircraft. Over Bochum Wine Cdr. R. V. MCINTYRE. NO, 100 Sqn.—Onenight in May, 1943, Wing Cdr. McIntyre and Fit. M(!t. Renno were captain and wireless operator/airgunner of an aircraft detailed to attack Bochum. when nearing the target area the aircraft washi(, by anti-aircraft fire. Two engines were put out of action, while other eguipment was damaged.IJespite this, Wing Cdr. M<Intyre continued to the target and bombed it. Not until the ta.sk was•arvomplished did .Fit. Sgt. Renno inform his cap- tain that he had "been wounded in the stomach.'•uul thigh. Although the aircraft wrs'difficult to rmit.rol, Wing Cdr. McIntyre skilfully flew theaircraft back to this country on two engines and (-fleeted a crash-landing at an airfield. Despitehit injuries, Fit. Sgt. Renno worked his wireless apparatus oh the return (fight, obtaining bearings.,which were of great assistance. P/O. R. M. MJCCAWLEIT. R.A.A.F., Mo. 40 Sqn —One night in October, 1942, P/O. McOawlev was a member of a crew of a Wellington aircraft\\ liir.h was lost during a very bad storm. By hi* oNUtanding technical skill and determination thisofficer was largely responsible for the safe return of the- bomber, which had almost reached thelimiU of its fuel endurance On many other occasions P/O. McCawley's cool courage and excel-lent commentaries have saved his aircraft from possible destruction. P/O. A. McLEOD, NO. 540 Sqn.-P O. Mcl-eodhas participated in a large number of operational sorties, the majority of which have been overheavily defended areas. P/O. CO. STOBKV, R.A.A.f\, No. 455 (E.A.A.F.)Han.—T.his pilot completed a number of opera- tional sorties with Bomber Command before join-ing this Squadron. In these he was exception- ally successful, and bombed targets which includedHamburg and Cologne. He has since completed a number of missions in torpedo carrying aircraftand a bombing attack on the barracks at Chris- tiansund, which was achieved with precision andgreat success. He has also taken part, in man-* offensive sweeps against enemy shipping, duringwhich'success has been attained ifl spite of heavy opposition and adverse weather. P/O. G. W. YOUNG, R.C.A.F., No. 90 Sqn -Pi(). Young and Sgt. Davine were pilot and rear gunner respectively of an aircraft detailed to at-tack a target in the Ruhr one night in May, 1943. Ihiring the operation the aircraft wasattacked by an enemy fighter. Sst. -Bavins was' .rounded in both leg-s, while his turret was putout of action. Although in great pain he con- tinued to give his pilot a nimnienUify on theattacker's movements. The fighter made repeated attacks but; displaying great skill, P/O. Youngtventually evaded it. His aircraft was badly damased and became difficult to. control. Despitethis P/O. Young fiew it to base and made a safe landing. Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) Set. T. P. PHTBIE, NO, 70 Sqn.—One night inApril, 1943, this airman was the pilot and captain of an .aircraft detailed to attack an enemy landingground. Jn the run up the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, but Sgt. Petrie held course anda stick of bombs was released. Almost immedi- ately the aircraft was again hit, which caused itto dive steeply. 8g.t. Petrie was severely wounded, his foot being practically nevered, white otheriiimubvrH of the crew were slightly wounded. De- spite his injuries. Set, • Petrie skilfully regainedcontrol of his aircraft, circled and released the remaining bombs over the target area. Coursehaving been set for home, -the injured pilot• was removed from his seat and 'given first aid, whileanother member of the crew kept the aircraft on its course to base. When the airfield was reached,iif.V: Petrie who, throughout the return flight, though in considerable pain and faint throughloss of blood, had remained in command as cap- tain, gave the crew permission to leave by para-chute. They elected to remain, however, con- fident in his ability to effect a landing. By strap-ping him in the pilot's seat and tying his uninjured foot to the rudder bar, Sgt. Petrie wasable to take over the controls. When approach- ing land, at A- height of JOOlt.. the petrol supplymn out. but a successful crash-landing was made. Sf»t. A. F. BLACK WELL, No.. 500 Sqn.—In April.1943. at. night, these airmen were navigator and wireless operator/air gunner respectively of anaircraft the pilot of which was hilled by anti- aircraft gunfire. Displaying great promptitudeand resource, Fit. Sgt. Kempster pulled back the control column, while other members of the crewwere removing the pilot from his seat, and suc- ceeded in regaining height. His immediate actionundoubtedly saved the aircraft from crashing. 8gt. Blackwell then took over the controls and ) t f I LAIRDS OF LAMPEDUSA : The Swordfish crew who forced-landed on the islandbecause of fuel shortage. On landing they saW white flags waved and received the Italian surrender. (Left) Sgt. Wright; (Centre; Sgt. Cohen; (Right) Sgt. Tait.Behind is Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham wSio congratulated them. flew the aircraft to base where the remainingmembers of the crew were ona-bled to leave the aircraft by parachute AH landed safely. Bar to Distinguished Flying Medal Sgt. P. L. PERSY, D.F.M., N<I. 35 San.-Theskill and courage of this wireless . operator/air gunner have rcontributed largely to the successesachieved by his crew. He has taken part in five raids on Hamburg. Distinguished Flying Medal Sgt. A. HAKRISON. NO. 101 Sqn. 'For citationsee Kit. Li. Mreselbrook, D.F.C. Sgt. W. JjAVINE, No. 90 Sqn.—For citation • seeP/O. Young. D.F.C. 1-lt. Sgt. J. D. W. RENNO, R.A.A.F., No. 100Sqn.—For citation see Wing Cdr. MCINTVBE, B.F C.Fit. Sgt. A. S. KEJtPSTER. No. 500 Sqn.—For citation see Sgt. Blackwell, C.G.M. Sgt. K. U. BERRY, NO. 103 Sqn.—This airmanhas completed many operational missions and has invariably pressed home his attacks with greatdetermination. On one occasion when attacking Kiel, his aircraft was hit and damaged by anti-aircraft fire. Despite thjs. Sgt. Berry displayed great persistence and. bombed his objective suc-cessfully. On another occasion he displayed com- mendable skill and initiative during a flight, toTurin. Jn a recent attack on Essen, Sgt. Berry pressed home his attack with great spirit, although,li'is aircraft was damaged by opposing fire. Fit. Sgt. R. K. MACFARLANE, R.C.A.F.. No. 101Sqn— One night in January, 1943, Fit. Sgt. Mac- Farlane was captain of an aircraft which wasdttacked by three .fu 88s when returning from an operational sortie. The mid-upper gunner waskilled, the rear gunner severely wounded and the aircraft was badly damaged. Fit. Sgt. MacFarlanetook violent evasive action and succeeded in shaking off the enemy aircraft. Shortly afterwardsthe bomber was held by searchlights and engaged by intense anti-aircraft tire and height was lostdown to 4,000 feet in avoiding further damage. Suon afterwards a formation of. five hostile fighterswag sighted, but when they attempted to attack Fit. Sgt MacFarlane skiilally evaded them. Sgt. E. PARKV and Sgt. R. S. GREEP, both ofNo. 106 Sqn.—On the nUht of January 17th, 1943. Sgts., Parry and Greep were the mid-upper and rear gunners respectively of an aircraft which was detailed to bomb a target in Berlin.On the return journey, whilst still over enemy territory, the aircraft was attacked by an enemyfighter from clos* range. Sgts. Parry and Greep, coolly withheld their fire until the range wasshortened and then delivered accurate burst* which caused the fighter to break away. In a secondattack, Sgt. Parry's concise commentary enabled the pilot to obtain a favourable position fromwhich both gunners could deliver effective fire. The enemy aircraft was set alight and fell to theground. X^ater, the bomber was held iu a cone of senrchliglite and subjected to a barrage of Ifehtanti-aircraft fire. Sgts. Parry and Greep, with well-aimed bursts, extinguished several of th«searchJights. .Fit. Spt- IJ. G. THACKERAY. NO. 10 Sqn.—Thi»airman lias participated in operations' against tar- gets in Libya. Crete, Tunisia, Sicily and Tripoli.On ea-rli soitie. he Jias behaved with cool deter- mination, rontitiuing his search for the targetuntil satisfied that the correct objective had been reached. On one occasion, when attacking Tunisand La Goulette, his first utiek of bombs fell ' near the power station at La Goulette. Subse-quently, he found two large ships in the entrance of the canal. These were bombed accurately andset on fire. Sgt. N. L. CHILD, NO. 142 Sqn.—In August,1942, while attacking Kassel, the aircraft. in •which Sgt. Child was engaged as wireless oper-ator was - illuminated by searchlights and dam- aged by anti-aircraft fire. By his skill, Sgt. Childwa& largely Responsible for the safe return of tho aircraft to base in harassing circumstances.Sgt. C. G. COOK, No. 142 Sqn.—Sgt. Cook has served with this squadron since October, 1942.He has, at all times, .displayed skill and deter- mination in the handling of his aircraft andcrew, and has consistently pressed home his attacks in the face of the heaviest opposition.Sgt. a. S. DAVENI"OBT, No. 142 Sqn.—In Octo- ber, 1942. his crew was detailed to fly in a day-light raid on Essen: Despite the fact that cloud cover was . scanty, they continued, bombed tb^.t-target successfully, and returned safely to bas"^ He has often secured valuable photographs. '•Sgt. F. C. CoMPTON. No. 10 Sqn._One. night in May, 1943, this airman was the rear gunner olan aircraft detailed to attack Duisburg. During the operation his aircraft was attacked anadamaged by an enemy fighter. 8gt. Compton resolutely returned fire and, following an accurateburst, the enemy aircraft stalled and then fell towards the ground; disappearing . out of sightthrough the clouds. Half an hour later the bomber was again attacked by enemy fighters. Inthe ensuing action Sgt. Compton coolly and skil- fully used his guns, while giving his captaindirections which enabled him to evade the attackers. The following night during an opera-tion against Boriium his aircraft, which had been damaged by anti-aircraft fire, was attacked bytwo enemy aircraft. Displaying great skill and determination, Sgt. Compton shot one of themdown. Although his guns were rendered useless, he gave his captain a commentarywhich enabled him to evade the remaining lighter. Sgt. A. D. FISLAYSON, R.A.A.F., No. 199 Son.—One night in May, 1943, this airman was the rear gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack Dort-mund. "On the return flight, the aircraft was attacked by Ian enemy fighter. Sgt. Finlaysoncoolly withheld his fire until the attacker came into close range and then, with a well-directedburst, shot the enemy aircraft down. Roll of Honour -f'astitilty Communique No. 253. THE Air Ministry regrets to announce (hefollowing casualties on various dates. Thenext «f kin have been informed. Casualties ' in action ' are due to flying operations against(he enemy, "on active service" includes ground casualties clue to enemy action, non operationalflying; casualties, fatal accidents and natural death? Oj the name? in this list 103 are secondentries givine late- information of casualties published in earlier iists. Royal Air Force KiLi.cn IN ACTION -F/O, K. TV. Johnson;F.O. C. M McClure; Set. T. J. MeMahon; Sgt. (!. W Quale; Sgt G. Scully. PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING, RELIEVED KILLED IN ACTION, NOW PRESUMED KILLED INACTION.—Fit. Sgt E. U. Bound; Sgt. F. Biiggt;
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