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Aviation History
1945
1945 - 1189.PDF
JUNE 14TH, 1945 FLIGHT 649 SERVICE AVIATION Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm News and Announcements A Skymaster negotiates the flooded perimeter track on an Azores airfield used by aircraft of Coastal Command. Appointments THE Air Ministry announces the followingappointments : — Air Vice-Marshal Sir Brian Edmund BAKER,K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C., A.F.C., to be Senior Air Staff Officer, H.Q., Middle East.Air Vice-Marshal Hugh Sydney Porter WALMS- LEY, C.B., C.B.E., M.C., D.F.C., to be Air OfficerCommanding a Group, Bomber Command. Air Vice-Marshal John Rene WHITLEY, D.S.O.,A.F.C., to be Air Officer Commanding a Group, Bomber Command.Air Commodore Henry Norman THORNTON, -M.B.E., to be Air Officer Commanding a Group.Air Command, South East Asia, with the acting rank of Air Vice-Marshal.Brigadier II. G. WILLMOTT, C.B.E., S.A.A.F. to be Air Officer Commanding, A.H.Q., EastAfrioa. Air Vice-Marshal Sir Brian BAKER has beenAir Officer Commanding A.H.Q., East Alrica, since the end of last year. He was [.revtou.-! 'A.O.C. a Group in Coastal Command after being A.O.C., R.A.F., Iceland.He was commissioned in .the 15th (Service) Battalion Rifle Brigade at the beginning of 1915and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, serving with various squadrons in Franco.In 1924 he commanded a flight at Aden and on his return commanded the Experimental Sec-tion of the Eoyal Aircraft establishment in March. 1926. In 1934 ho served successively in JI.M.Aircrait Carriers, Eagle and Courageous, in the latter as Senior Air Force Officer.Air Vice-Marshal WALMSLEY has been Senior Air Staff Officer at H.Q., Bomber Command, since1944, prior to which he was A.O.C. of a Bomber Group. He was commissioned in the Loyal NorthLancashire Regiment and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1917.Alter the last war he took a course at the School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping, laterbeing posted to Iraq. After serving as flying in- structor and adjutant at No. 603 A.A.F. Squad-ron he took a refresher course at the C.F.S. in 1933 and later went to Aden in command of asquadron. During most of this war he has served with Bomber Command.Air Vice-Marshal WHITLEY has been Air Officer Commanding a Bomber Group since February,1945. Previous to that appointment he- was a- base commander in the same group. Before thenhe commanded a number oi R.A.F. stations, an<l in 1940 was on Operations Room duty at Headquarters. Bomber' Command. Air • Vice-Marshal Whitlcy was awarded theA.F.C. in 1937, and the D.S.O. in 1943. Air Vice-Marshal H. N. THORNTON has beencommander at a Bomber Command Base and also at H.Q. of the Command. Joining the 9th Northumberland Fusiliers atthe outbreak of the last war as a. private, he was commissioned in the Royal Flying Corps inOctober. 1917. Between 1928 and 1931 he was adjutant and flying instructor to (lie No. 601City of London A.A.F. Squadron, and in 1932 «rved in the Chief "of Air Staff's Department atthe Air Ministry, becoming P.A. to the C.A.S. 1" 1956 he was on special duties as Air Attacheat Brussels, later occupying the same post at Stock- holm and Washington in 1940 and 1941 respec-tively. In 1944 he went to H.Q. Bomber Com- mand. Brigadier H. G. WILLMOTT, of the South Afri- can Air Force, was deputy to the Director-Generalof the S.A.A.F. from the end of 1942, and came to Britain in the following year where he servedwith R.A.F. Coastal Command. He had previously been Senior Air Officer to the G.O.C. CoastalDefences in 'South Africa of the combined S.A.A.F. and R.A.F. Staff. He was awarded the C.B.E. in recognition ofhis work in North Africa, where he was in com- mand of a Light Bomber Wing of the S.A.A.F.from the middle of 1941 to the end of 1942. Awards THE KING has been graciously pleased toapprove the following awards in recognitionof gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations: — Distinguished Service OrderAct. Group Capt. K. .). SOMEEVILLE.J- A.F.C., R.A.F., No. 105 Sqn.T-GrjWtp Ca.Somerville has a long and distinguished recp*ri of operational flying, having cqmplet/d mop^ than100 sorties, most of them against jfrell-delfned tar- gets. He has displayed a high/dea^F^of skillthroughout and his example ^vf Jbt»lrte|s and . Air Vice-Marshal J. R. Whitley, D.S.O., A.F.C., now appointed to com- mand a Group in Bomber Command. courage in the face of the fiercest enemy fire hasinspired all with whom he has flown. His sterling qualities have been reflected in the efficiency andfine fighting spirit of the squadron he commands. Sqn. Ldr. J. V. WATTS, D.F.C., R.C.A.F., No.105 Sqn.—This officer has completed more than 100 sorties. He has at all times displayed thegreatest keenness and devotion to duty and his example has impressed all. Sqn. Ldr. Watts is anavigator of high merit and the successes obtained on the many sorties in which he has taken partare a fine tribute to his outstanding skill. This officer has proved of the greatest value to thesquadron. Act. Sqn. Ldr. H. ALMOND, D.F.C., R.A.F.V.R.,No. 105 Sqn.—This officer's operational record is most impressive. Since being awarded the Dis-tinguished Flying Cross he has completed a large number of sorties. J0n one occasion, whilst over-aircraft was severely damaged when it by anti-ahKHSftit fire. Nevertheless, Sqn. Ldr.Almond flej^pack to an airfield in this 'country. When coming in CD land the starboard engine failed.The hadfaulic system had sustained damage and the^ffaercarriage would not lower beyond the half-down position\ • Despite these hazards, and ice of the flaps Sqn. Ldr.iccessful crash-landing. This iofcariablj displayed skill, courage anda\high Jirder. fqn. Ldr. G/BAXTER, D.F.C., R.A.F.V.R..0.183 San.—Th^ officer has participated in nunfcrous sortiesjsnnce being awarded the Distin-guished FlyingJ(n"oss. He has shown the highest, standard oL^rfavigational ability, coupled withgreat em^W^e and resolution. His faultless work, jge-mthe face of fierce opposition, has playedimportant part in the successes obtained. 9qn. Ldr. Baxter has rendered much loyal and devoted Act. Sqn. Ldr. W. A. G. GALLIENNE, D.F.C.,R.A.F.V.R., No. 139 Sqn.—This officer has parti- cipated in more than 80 sorties during whichattacks have been made on a wide range of enemy targets He is a navigator of high merit, whossexceptional skill, great courage and devotion to duty have set a splendid example to all. In spiteof mere than one trying experience, Sqn. Ldr. Gallienne has shown the greatest keenness and hastaken every opportunity to operate against the enemy. His efforts, have been untiring and hehas contributed much to the success of the squadron. - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross Fit, Lt. R. K. SCHOLES, D.F.C.. R.A.F.V.R.,No. 692 Sqn.—Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Fit. Lt. Scholes has participatedm a large number of operational sorties, including 16 attacks against Berlin. He has played a largepart in the success of these operations by his out- standing skill and navigational ability, combinedwith his determination to accurately locate and bomb all his targets. Both in the air and on theground Fit. Lt. Scholes has always shown cool courage and devotion to duty of a high order.Fit. Lt F. G. D. SMITH, D.F.C., R.A.F.V.R , No. 101 Sqn.—Since the award of the Distin-guished Flying Cross, Fit. Lt. Smith has partici- pated in further operations against many variedtargets. By his excellent skill,' undaunted courage and resourcefulness he has rendered valuableassistance to his captain, frequently in the face of intense enemy opposition. As Signals LeaderFit. Lt. Smith has shown outstanding leadership »nd the utmost determination to ensure the sac-cesses ot thfl missions he has led.
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