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Aviation History
1944
1944 - 0724.PDF
378 FLIGHT APRIL 6TH, 1944 SERVICE AVIATION W/O. W. J. SIMPSON, R.C A.F., Mo. 51 Sqn W/O. L. J. WATERS. R.A.A F., NO. 156 Sqn. Act W/O. J A. M. ABCARI, R.A.F.V.R., No. 156 Sqn. Act. W/O. T. A. AUSTIN, R.A.F.VR, No. 199 Sqn. Act. W/O, R. W. COZENS, R.A.F.V.R., No. 35 Sqn. Act. W/O. E, PHILIPS, R AJP.VR., NO. 166 Sqn. Act. W/O. K. B. SMITHEBINOALE, R.A.F V R., No 12 Squ Act. Sqn. Ldr. B. O. ASTON, R.A.F., No. 544 Sqn. Act. Sqn. Ldr. J. R. CANUAM, R.A.F O., No. 625 Sqn. Act. Sqn. Ldr. J. C. DAV, R.A.F.V.R , No 625 Sqn. Act. Sqn. Ldr. T. R. KING, R.A.F.V.R., No. 236 Sqn. Act. Sqn. Ldr. S. MCNEILL, R.A.F.V.R. Act. Sqn. Ldr. C. J. W. TAYLOE, R.C.A.F., No 407 (R.C.A.F.) Bqn. Act. Sqn. Ldr. N. H. WALKEE, R.A.F.V.R., No. 10 Sqn. Fit. Lt. A. J. FINUOANE, R.A.F.V.R., No. 228 Sgn. Fit. Lt. C. K. FITZGERALD, R.A.F.V.R., No. 172 Sqn. Fit. Lt. H. F. KERRIGAN. R.C.A.F., No. 120 Sqn. Fit. Lt. N. A. MEBVVNSMITH, R.A.F.V.R., No. 224 Bqn. I'll Lt. G G. ROSSITLII, R.A.A.F., No. 10 (R.A.A.F.) Sqn. Act. Fit. Lt. L. R ADST, D.F.M., R.A.F., No. 224 Sqn. Act. Fit. Lt. J. A. EDWARD. R A.F., No. 50 Son. Fit. Lt E. J. FISHER. R.A.F.V.R.. No. 179 Bqn. Act. Fit. Lt. F. A. FORSTEK, D.F.M., R.A.A.F., No. 83 Sqn. Act. Fit. Lt. L R. HABVEY, R.A.F.V.R , No. 106 Sqa. Act Fit. Lt. E. S. KELLY, R.N.Z.A.F., No. 102 Sqn. Act. Fit. Lt. H. L MATTHEWS, R.C.A.F., No 120 Sqn. Act. Fit Lt. K. RUBKELL, RAJ.V.R., No bO Sqa. Act. Fit. Lt. B. J STAEIB, R.A.F.V.R.. No. 97 Sqn. Act Fit. Lt. K. M. STEVEN. R.A.F.V.R., No. 97 Sqn. Act Fit Lt. N. D WEBB, RN.Z.A.F.. NO. 61 Sqn. Act Fit. Lt. 0 P. WOOD. R A.A.F.. No. 90 Sqn. F/O. T. H. BtfRMrrT, R.A.F V.R., No. 540 Sqn. F/O. V. L COLK, RA.F.VR^ No. 106 Sqn. F/O. K. W. L FTJLLER, R.A.F/V.R., No. 100 Sqn F/O. F, E. HAY, R.A.F V.R.. No. 139 Sqn. F/O. L. T. JOHNSON, R.A.F.VR., No. 149 Sqn F/O. J. W. KINO, D.F.M.. R.A.F.V.R., No. 144 Sqn. F,0 S. H. LETLEY, R.AF.V.R. .NO. 44 Sqn. F/O. K. S. MILLER, R.C.A.F., No. 404 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn. HE KING has been graciously pleased lo approve the following awards :— M.B.E. (Mi!.) F/O. O. B. THORNTON, R.AFVJfctt., N Sqn.—In November, 1943. a Mosquito ai carrying full opei ational^equiiraient and range petrol tanks, crasj immediately burst inl were occurring almost tanks, cannon shells, Ignited. Blaring wrecks directions. F/O. TtorB the first to arrive at Finding Iho navigator/h T made him comfortable, organised the medical parly and supervised the injured man's removal to the ambulance. Then, with complete disregard ol his own safety, this officer made straight for the main area of the crash, which was surrounded by barbed wire, and saw that the pilot of the aircraft was lying beside an engine with his clothing on fire. F/O. Thornton went through the wire into the middle ol the wreckage to reach the pilot and, in spite of the great danger he was in, put out the flames on the pilots clothing ana removed his parachute. With assistance he then carried the pilot to an ambulance. Unfor tunately, both the rescued airmen died later, but had it not been for the prompt and gallant action of F/O. Thornton, who sustained burns to both his hands, neither would have been rescued alive. Lt. E. J. MACDONALD, S.A.A.F.—One night in October, 1943, Lt. MacDonald was one of the crew ol a Wellington aircraft detailed for an exercise in Suez Bay. While the aircraft was at 300 leet above sea level, the port engine misfired and shortly alterwards failed altogether. The air craft could not maintain height on one engine and was forced down on to the sea. Lt. Mac- Donald escaped from the astro hatch and noticed that the dinghy had broken away and, with a strong wind blowing, was rapidly drifting south. He immediately swam after it, but his effort* to retrieve it were unsuccessful. Returning to the crew he found the pilot and navigator in diffi culties, the pilot suflering from a sprained ankle and partial paralysis of the leg. Lt. MacDonald inflated the navigator's life-saving jacket for him and then went to the pilot's assistance. The other members of the crew separated and swam to wards the shore, but Lt. MacDonald unselfishly continued to assist his two comrades, his cheerful ness and words of encouragement inspiring con fidence in them. He tied himself to his two col leagues and the three men made slow progress towards the shore. After six hours in the water the navigator threw off his life-saving jacket and swam away. Lt. MacDonald gave the injured pilot the extra life-jacket and together they continued their slow journey towards the shore, which was eventually reached after they had been in the water thirteen hours. Throughout the whole period in a rough, shark-infested sea, Lt. Mac Donald displayed great unselfishness. His conduct is worthy of high praise. George Medal W/O. W. K MoGBATH, R.C.A.F., No. 404 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn.—In December, 1943, W/O. McGrath was the navigator of a Beaufighter air craft which crashed shortly after taking off on an operational sortie. The aircraft, which was carrying a full petrol load and bombs, dis integrated on impact and burst into flames. W/O. McGrath, who was uninjured, managed to extri cate himself from his damaged turret and im mediately went to the aid of the pilot. The pilot was unconscious and trapped in his cockpit, which as enveloped by flameB. The control column d beej* forced into his stomach and his right ot «fe locked under the smashed rudder bar. Ijrnoyfng the danger from possible explosions, MrGrath endeavoured to release the pilot, blocking the top hatch he moved the ,_] ^column, unfastened the pilot's parachute ess (and removed hia Tight flying hoot. Tb*n n almost superhuman effort, W/O. McGrath FLEET FIGHTER FOLDED : A Vought Sikorsky Corsar of the Fleet Air Arm folds its wings before going below to the hangar deck. extricated the pilot from the wreckage and dragged him one hundred yards over very rough ground to safety. W/O. McGrath then proceeded to the nearest farmhouse to obtain assistance. This airman displayed conspicuous courage and his prompt action undoubtedly saved his com- Flt. Sgt. A. W. MCGINNIS, R.A.F.V.R., and Sgt. H. WEBSTEE, R.A.F.V.R., both of No. 88 Sqn. —In September, 1943, these airmen, who were in the vicinity of an airfield, observed an aircraft overhead with its starboard engine and mainplane on fire. The aircraft passed from view and crashed behind neighbouring trees. Commandeer ing a passing car, Fit. Sgt. McGinnis and Sgl. Webster proceeded to the scene of the crash. The aircraft was Darning furiously and ammunition v. as exploding. In spite of this and of the danger that the bombs, which they could see in the wreckage, might explode at any moment, these aii-men approached the aircraft to search for the crew. They found the wireless operator in the rear of the aircrait and succeeded in extricating him and in beating out the flames on his cloth ing. They also extricated another member of the crew who was lying in the burning wreckage, but was unfortunately dead. Fit. Sgt. McGinnis and Sgt. Webster then carried the wireless operator away from immediate danger and commenced to render first aid to him. While they were thus engaged one of the bombs exploded, and both airmen were thrown to the ground and hit by falling shrapnel. Undeterred, they continued to tend to their comrade. They laid him in a ditch farther away and stayed with him until an am bulance arrived. In circumstances of great danger Fit. Sgt. McGinnis and Sgt. Webster displayed coolness and outstanding gallantry, and un doubtedly saved the life of one member of the Act. Cpl. J. A. SINCLAIR, R.A.F.V.R.—In JUJ, 1943, Cpl. Sinclair was a passenger in a WellirjP" ton bomber which caught fire whilst taking orrr-A forced landing was made with the aircraft in flames, and it became a total wreck. Although the petrol tanks were exploding and all had been ordered to stand clear, Cpl. Sinclair, displaying complete disregard lor his personal safety, re entered the blazing aircraft and was insttumental in resuing two passengers who were trapped in the rear turret. In effecting the rescue Cpl. Bin clair sustained severe bums on the head and arms, and was subsequently in hospital for six weeks. He displayed great bravery in saving the lives of the two trapped passengers. B.E.M. (Mil.) Fit. Sgt T. HALL, R.A.F.—In November, 1943. a Beaufighter aircraft, carrying a normal load of explosives and ammunition, crashed and burst into flames. Fit. Sgt. Hall, who was working in a nearby building, immediately went to the scene ot the accident and endeavoured to rescue the pilot, who, although he had struggled half way out of the 'hatch, was dazed and unable to get clear. Fit. Sgt. Hall was driven back by the flames, but, persisting in his efforts, he eventually succeeded in pulling the pilot out of the aircraft and in assisting him to safety. In so doing, Fit. Set. Hall sustained severe burns to his face. His prompt and courageous action, which was per formed with the knowledge that the aircraft wat^\ carrying explosives and ammunition, undoubtedlj^' saved the pilot's life. Sgt. E. V. SHAEP. R.A.F.V.R.—One morning in November, 1943, Sgt. Sharp was the wireless operator of a Wellington aircraft which crashed and caught fire. The aircraft was fully fuelled and carrying ammunition and pyrotechnics. The crew, with one exception, managed to extricate themselves. Sgt. Sharp was just about to jump off the leading edge of the mainplane when the wing petrol tanks caught fire. At this moment, realising that one of his comrades was still in the aircraft, he returned through the fire and suc ceeded in pulling him out of the astro-dome on to the ground. In so doing he sustained injuries which necessitated treatment at hospital, but his gallant action saved his comrade's life. Cpl. E. M BOWER. R.A.F.V.R.—On two occa sions this airman, while in charge of the crash tender, has shown outstanding gallantry in his attempts to save the lives of pilots by quelling the flames of burning aircraft. The first incident occurred in August, 1943. when two Typhoon air craft, which had collided in the air, burst into flames on impact with the ground. The second took place in November, 1943, when an aircraft landed from an operational sortie with a bomb which had failed to release; the bomb fell off during the landing rnn. exploded, and set the aircraft alight. In the face ol great danger from exploding cannon shells and petrol tanks, Cpl. Bower, on both occasions, showed fine courage and devotion to duty by approaching, without hesita tion, very close to the burning aircraft to enable his extinguisher to reach the flames. His excel lent example encouraged the other airmen en gaged in the fire righting, and enabled the flames to be subdued in a very short time. Cpl. S. J. MATHEWS, R.A.F.V.R., No. 97 Sqn.— One night in December. 1943, this airman ob served a Lancaster aircraft crash in a field. He immediately ran across several ploughed fields to reach the aircraft, which was by then burn ing fiercely. Cpl. Mathews succeeded in extricat ing the wireless operator and in pulling two other members of the crew from the blazing wreck age. Then after attending to the rear gunner who had been thrown clear and was dazed. Op). Mathews went to a telephone and reported the crash to bis base. Lty' **r, he directed the fire tender and the ambulance to the scene. By his prompt and courageous action this afcra&f saved the life of the wireless operator and r**r dered valuable assistance in most harassing and difficult circumstances.
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