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Aviation History
1944
1944 - 0884.PDF
4f>o SEPxVICE AVIATION of operations, and has displayed great skill, cour age and determination. He is a most inspiring leader, whose example has been reflected in the fine fighting spirit of the squadron. This officer lias rendered most valuable service. Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross Fit. Lt. P. A. DOKEHILL, D.F.C., R.A.F.V.R., No. 44 Sqn.—This officer has participated in a very large number of sorties, involving attacks on most of the heavily defended targets in Ger many. Recently he took part in an attack on Berlin. Before reaching the city his aircraft was attacked by a fighter. Fit. Lt. Dorehill suc ceeded in evading the attacker, but the bomber nad been repeatedly hit by cannon fire, which damaged the fuselage and the tail plane and also .put the hydraulic system out of action. Despite this, Fit- Lt. Dprphill continued t0 tnc target, which he borniw*! successfully. -On return to base he effected a masterly crash-landing. He displayed great skill, courage and determination throughout. Act. Sqn. Ldr. C. II. BAIGENT, D.F.C., R.N.Z.A.F., No. 115 Sqn.—This officer has- com pleted a very large number of sorties, including eight attacks on Berlin. In an attack on the (Jerman capital one night in January. 1944. San. Ldr. Baigent's aircraft was repeatedly hit by cannon lire, the turrets were rendered unservice able, and other damage was sustained. In suite of this, Sqn, Ldr. Baigen pressed home his bombing attack and afterwards flew the damaged bomber to ba6e. He displayed great skill and determina lion to make the sortie a success. Act. Sqn. Ldr. D. D. HAIG, D.F.C.. B.A.F., .No. 576 Sqn.—This officer has completed numerous sorties on his second tour of operations and con tinues to show the same determined qualities which have earned him many successes. One night in February, 1944, he piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Leipzig. Early on the outward flight one of the bomber's engines became defective but Sqn. Ldr. Haig held to his course. Some time later a fighter was encountered, but it was skil fully evaded. Soon afterwards the bomber was in tercepted by another enenrf' aircraft. Once again this captain, proved his JKill by manoeuvring to a position which enabled his rear gunner to deliver a burst of maotfine-gun fire which struck Ihp •fllmiiwi ind causjirf its destruction. Sqn, Ldr. faig then l!t&|unedrhis course and eventually pressed home a suSjgesnil attack on his target. He set a fine examplirnTi^kill. courage and resolution. Dis F LIG H FOR LITTLE CHAPS : Fitting one of the airship type auxiliary fuel tanks to a Spitfire IX. ('apt. K. F. KEHSWILL, S.A.A.F., No. 24 IS.A.A.F.) Sqn. ('apt. K. C. WllVTE, S.A.A.F., No. 5 (S.A.A.F.) Sqn. Lt. A. T. LARKIN, S.A.A.F., No. 24 (S.A.A.F.j Sqn. F/O. J. MACP. GRAY, R.C.A.F., No. 433 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn F O. D E BIDEN, R.C.A.F., No. 405 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn. F/O. H. R. FAEB. R.C.A.F., No. 405 Sqn. Act. Sqn. Ldr. II. J. 3 BEAZLEY, R.A.F.V.R., No. 89 Sqn. Act. Sqn. Ldr. R J. FURSMAN, R.A.F.O., No. 413 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn. Act. Fit. Lt. R. BONNAR, R.C.A.F., No. 205 Sqn. Act. Fit. Lt. R V. MANNING, R.C.A.F., No. 217 Sqn. F/O. S. WHITTINGHAM, R.A.F.V.R., No. 102 Sqn. P'O. C. A. KIRKHAM, D.F.M., R.A.F.V.R., No. 76 Sqn. i',0 A B. DOWNING, D.F.M., R.A.F.V.R., No. 600 Sqnr P/O. J. T. LYONS, D.F.M.. R.A.F.V.R., No. 600 Son. WO. N. PICKLES, R.A.F., No. 284 Sqn. Act. Fit. Lt. C. D. WiGGIN. R.A.F.V.R.. No. 44 Sqn. F/O. K. R. HOLLAND, R.A.A.F., No. 540 Sqn. F/O. P. E. HDCKIJI. R.A.F.V.R., No. 157 Sqn. Act. Wing Cdr. C. S. MAC- DONALD, R.C.A.F., No. 418 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn. Sqn. Ldr. F. T. GARDINER, R.A.F.V.R., No. 254 Sqn. Act. Sqn. Ldr. R. H. FOKES. D.F.M., R.A.F.V.R.. No. 257 Sqn. Fit. Lt. L. H. SCARGILL, R.A.F.V.R., No. 541 Sqn. F/O. N. L. BAMTORD, R.A.F.V.R., No. 85 Sqn. F/O. W. G. EAGLE, R.AF.V.R., No. 198 Sqn. F/O. L. W. F. STARK, R.A.F.V.R., No. 609 Sqn. P/O. R. M. HIGGS, R.A.F.. No. 44 Sqn. Fit. Lt. A. H. PIPER, R.A.F.V.R., No. 218 Sqn. F/O. W. V. BLAKE, R. C. A. F.t No. 428 (R.C.A.F.) Bqn. F/O. E. A. PEARMAIN. R.A.F.V.R., No. 7 Sqn. Act. Fit. Lt. E. R. HER BALD, R.A.F.V.R., No. 51 Sqn. F/O. D. E. W. GABVAN. R.A.A.F.. No. 136 Sqn. F/O. L. GBEENBTJBGH, R.A.F.V.R.. No. 514 Sqn. F/O. W. A. HEALEY,R.C.A.F., No. 49 Sqn, F/O. G. H. RUDRTJM, R.A.F.V.R., No. 158 Sqn P/O. A. CAY GILL, R.A.F.V.R., No. 51 Sqn. P/O. M. C. FOB TEE, R.A.F.V.R., No. 51 Sqn. FOR BIG CHAPS: Filling the capacious fuel tanks of a Halifax II. Act. Sqn. Ldr. I. D. WADDY. R.N.Z.A F., No 486 (N.Z.) Sqa. Act. Fit. Lt. P. M. NASH, R.A.A.F.. No. 3 Sqn Act. Fit. Lt. P. M. F. JOHNSON, R.C.A.F., No. 418 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn. F/O. N. J. GIBBONS, R.C.A.F., No. 418 - (R.C.A.F.) Sqn. Capt. G. O. WATSON, S.A.A.F., No. 2 (S.A.A.F.) Sqn. F/O. J. R. HUGHES, R.C.A.F., No. 2S4 Sqn. F/O. K. H. TAN. R.A.F.V.R. No 225 Sqn. P/O. C. WEAVER, D.F.M., R.C.A.F., No. 403 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn. Fit. Lt. J. R. OWEN, R.CA.F., NO. 680 Sqn. Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) Sgt. B. C. WRIGHT, R.A.F.V.R., No. 166 Sqn.-This officer and these airmen were pilot, flight engineer, rear gunner and wireless operator re spectively ot an aircraft detailed to attack Leipzig one night in February, 1944. When nearing the target area the aircraft was intercepted by two fighters. One of them attacked from close rarig^ and the bomber was raked along the whow*^ length of the fuselage by the enemy's bullets." Four of the crew were wounded, including Sgts. Hall and Wright, the latter being very severely injured. The aircraft sustained extensive damage, making it impossible for the pilot to take evasive action. Then, to add to the trials of the harassed crew, the bomber became fully illuminated in con sequence of a short Circuit occurring in the electrical system. The second fighter flew in to the" attack, but, although forced to operate his turret manually, Sgt. Birch met the attacker with a devastating burst of fire and the enemy aircraft burst into flames and dived to the ground out of control. Only two of hi6 guns were now operating, but Sgt. Birch used them most effec tively and drove off the other attacker. P/O. Catlin then set course for home. Meanwhile, Sgt. Hall set to work to repair some of the damaged equipment and later succeeded jn making the intercommunication system serviceable. Badly wounded as he was, Sgt. Wright retained con sciousness and could not be dissuaded from attempting to fulfil his duties. He was deprived of the use of the instrument panel, which had been shot away, while one of the petrol tanks was empty. Nevertheless, he continued to keep the engines running at their maximum power. In his efforts, Sgt. Wright had to be supported by a comrade and three times fainted through loss of blood, but be never wavered. In the face of heavy odds, P/O. Catlin reached an air field, where he effected a masterly landing. His skill, courage and determination were beyond praise. SgtB. Wright, Hall and Birch proved themselves to be valiant members of aircraft crew and did everything within their power to assist their pilot in his endeavours to bring the crippled bomber home. Distinguished Flying Medal sgt. W. BIRCH, R.A.F.V.R., and Sgt. T. P. HALL, R.A.F.V.R., both of No. 166 Sqn. For citation, see Sgt. Wright, COM. Fit Sgt. H. LANGDON, R.A.F.V.R., No. 148 Sqn. Fit. Sgt. R. H. GRAHAM, R.A.F.V.R., No. 157 Sqn. Sgt. R. W. JOY, R.A.F.V.R., No. 44 Sqn. Fit. Sgt. B. J. D. BIRD, R.A.F.V.R., No. 149 Sqn. Fit. Sgt. G. CARREL, R.A.F.V.R., No. 35 Sqn. Fit. Sgt. W. F. POLLOCK, R.A.F.V.R., No. 149 Sqn. Fit. Sgt. T. L. SALTER, R.A.F., No. 149 Sqn. Sgt. A. G. WRIGHT, R.A.F.V.R., No. 576 Sqn. Fit. Sgt A. W, TINMOUTH, R.C.A.F., No. 431 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn. Fit. Sgt. F. WADGE, R.A.F.V.R., No. 100 Sqn. Fit. Sgt. J. M. JULIAN, R.A.F.V.R., No.Jifr (S.A.A.F.) Sqn. K,
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