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Aviation History
1946
1946 - 1605.PDF
AUGUST 15TH, 1946 FLIGHT AMERICAN APPRECIATION : The American Ambassador, Mr. Averill Harriman, with some of the R.A.F. officers on whom he conferred American decorations at his private residence in Prince's Gate. With the Ambassador is Mr. W. Stuart Synington, U.S. Acting Secretary of War for Air. The award of the decorations synchronised with the U.S.A.A.F. Air Force Day, on the occasion of which Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Tedder des- patched a message to the U.S.A.A.F. which appears on'this page, together with General Spaatz's reply. Among the officers decorated were Air Vice-Marshal J. A. Boret, and Air Vice-Marshal W. F. Macneece Foster. SERVICE AVIATION Royal Air Force and Naval Air Arm News and Announcements CAS. to U.S.A.A.F. ON the occasion of the U.S.A.A.F. AirForce Day (August 1st) the follow- ing message was sent from Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Tedder, Chief of the" Air Staff, to General Spaatz, Com- manding General of the U.S.A.A.F.: — '' On behalf of all ranks of the Royal Air Force I send you our warmest greetings and felicitations on the occa- sion of Air Force Day. We are de- lighted to have this most fitting oppor- tunity for expressing to you once again the very high admiration and feeling of true fellowship with which we re- gard our comrades in arms. I ask you to let all members of the United States Army Air Forces know how proud we are today of our associations with them, and to pass on to them our very best wishes for this momeu- pous and happy anniversary. , " We are very sensible of the honour which you have done us by inviting No. 35 Squadron of the Royal Air Force to take part in your observance of August 1st. We especially welcome this gracious gesture because of the opportunities which it affords for re- newing old friendships and confirming the bond of fellowship formed between our two services during the years of common danger, endeavour and final triumph through which we have passed together." On the evening of August 1st fighter squadrons of R.A.F. flew over London during a reception by the American Am- bassador, and in America No. 35 Squad- ron of R.A.F. Bomber Command took part in the main U.S.A.A.F. celebrations held at Los Angeles. Qeneral Spaatz to C.A.S. THE following reply to Lord Tedder'smessage was received from General Spaatz: — '' On behalf of the United States Army Air Forces ma ? I return our most heartfelt appreciation for your message on the occasion of Air Force Day. No personal or professional ad- miration could be higher than that which the Army Air Forces holds for the Royal Air Force. Number 35 Squadron, Royal Air Force, has already acquitted itself most admirably in its visit to this country. Its per- formance has been superb and the goodwill it has disseminated through- out our land has been incalculable. We further are deeply honoured by the Royal Air Force's participation in Air Force Day especially by its flight of 150 planes over London. This could not mean half so much to the United States Army Air Forces were it not for the brilliant co-operation given us by the Royal Air Force. Awards THE King has been graciously pleased toapprove the following awards : — Distinguished Service Order Fit. Lt, A. N. SNELL, K.A.F.V.R.-On July 10th. 1943. this officer's aircraft was shot down during xpatrol over the beach head in Sicily, where Allied landings were taking place. He was then engagedin attacking a force of Messerschmitts. The crash landing took place in territory controlled by theenemy, but Fit. Lt. Snell was able to avoid capture and, after dark, endeavoured to return to the beaclihead. He first encountered a number of Italians whom he bluffed into thinking him a VichyFrenchman. On escaping from the Italians, he eventually found a road which he recognized fromhis map. Whilst following this road lie was chal lenged by some Germans, who ordered him to puthis hands up. Without warning they rolleu a grenade at him along the ground. Just in time,he jumped aside and ran back, followed by more grenades; he escaped by taking cover in the scrub,Shortly after this, he found himself in a minefield through which he picked his way for half an hourbefore reaching a track. Following this tract. Fit. Lt Sneli blundered on to a German airfield, verynear the battle area, where he was captured. The Germans decided to execute him as a spy. He wasmarched out to a small open space and ordered to kneel down. Realizing that he was to be shotin cold blood, he did not obey the order, but sprang away us the Germans fired. He waswounded in several places, his right shoulder beini; smashed. Despite this. Fit. Lt. Snell evaded hi&captors, and hid for a time amongst boulders, before making a last attempt to reach the Britishlines. Owing to the extreme weakness and pain caused by his wounds, this attempt was not suc-cessful. Fit. Lt. Snell was recaptured at dawn after collapsing from exhaustion. He was againthreatened with execution for spying on the air- field, but finally managed to prove his identityto the satisfaction of the Germans. He was taken to a field hospital where his wounds receivedattention. Later, he was transferred to Catani* and thence to Lucca by Bea. Here he was inhospital for about two months, until the Germans, who controlled the prisoners, decided to move themby train to Germany. Although not fully recovered from his wounds,Fit. Lt. Sncll determined to escape (luring tin- journey ami made all possible preparations forthis. In company with an American officor, he jumped fi'om the train while it was passingthrough a junction, afterwards discovered to be M^intova. For the next week, they travelledsouth. During this journey, they had several narrow escapes from the Germans and werenssisted by a number of ami-Fascist Italians. WiMi this help, the officers were abic to reach MOIIPTM.where thVy were sheltered by various hii-'^!'.-
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