RAF Battle of Britain Fighter ACE Pilot's Medal Group - DSO DFC

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By Eagles Corps International

Jul 23, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-07-23 12:00:00 2023-07-23 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Militaria, Comics, Art and More https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/eagles-corps-international/militaria-comics-art-and-more-13104
A fine assortment of WWI and WWII Militaria, Comic Books, Art and more. July 23rd 2023 Eagles Corps International INFO@eaglescorps.com

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  ÔF/O Smith came back from Debden this evening with the news that Chubby Eliot- having defied the whole hospital - has made good his escape and was slightly crisped but in fair working order. We hope to see him tomorrow. He apparently got mixed up with some HE113Õs and was busy writing his initials on the Huns backside so that he could convince the CO that it was his, when he was set on fire by some of the aforementioned HunÕs boyfriends. He baled out and did a delayed drop at about 15,000 before Òpulling the stringÓ this action is Òde rigeurÓ these days. However he is suffering from burns on the left leg but is able to go about. He hopes to visit tomorrow.Õ The Squadron Diary on Flying Officer ÔChubbyÕ EliotÕs entrance into the Battle of Britain ÔI have one of your pictures in the celluloid backed side of my wallet. The more I look at it the more I love it. I must answer your last letter, let me see what did you say - You were going on a ÒShowÓ. I do hope you got back safely without mishap. Would I know if anything happened darling? I couldnÕt bear to think anything would, oh it mustnÕt darling. I hate to admit it but I say a prayer for you every night, honestly Hugh I only wish you could have another leave in the U.K. and just bully me into the nearest church.Õ Those words in a letter that would have to be returned to his sweetheart by the Post Office, for ÔChubbyÕ had been killed a week before she had written it. She had yet to be informed of his death. The superb and well-documented Ô1944Õ D.S.O. and 1941 ÔDefence of MaltaÕ D.F.C. group of seven awarded to the 9-kill Hurricane Fighter Ace Wing Commander H. W. ÔChubbyÕ Eliot, Royal Air Force Ð who was tragically killed in action when aged just 23 His career was highly unusual for his short and gallant combat career spanned no less than five theatres of War; this commenced with the Battle of France, when he flew with famed airmen such as ÔCobberÕ Kain, opened his account and earned a ÔmentionÕ; he flew important operations whilst still a teenager during the Battle of Britain, being shot down and burned when baling out, as highlighted above Eliot went on to further add to his score Ð and his laurels Ð during the Defence of Malta, North Africa and Italy; by the time of his curtain call his contribution remains a fine memorial to the sacrifices of ÔThe FewÕ Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse of suspension bar officially dated Ô1944Õ; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated Ô1941Õ; 1939-1945 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain Bar; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43 Bar; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, nearly extremely fine, the Campaign Stars and Medals in their card box of issue addressed to ÔF. H. Eliot, Esq., 3, Romanhurst Gardens, Hayes Lane, Bromley, KentÕ, and with the named Air Ministry Condolence Slip D.S.O. London Gazette 23 May 1944. The recommendation states; ÔWing Commander Eliot was promoted to command the Squadron in August, 1943, at a time when heavy demands were being made for the night defence of Bizerta, Tunis and Palermo. Since then, largely due to his drive and encouragement, the Squadron has destroyed 23 enemy aircraft, two of which have been destroyed by Wing Commander Eliot personally. This officer has flown regularly on night patrols displacing a remarkable disregard for the weather. He is an intrepid night fighter pilot, who has earned the respect of all who have served under him.Õ D.F.C. London Gazette 26 September 1941. The recommendation states; ÔThis officer has carried out 14 months continuous operational flying as a fighter pilot. When serving with No. 73 Squadron in France he shot down 2 enemy aircraft and damaged a further 1 E/A. Was shot down and badly burnt during the Battle of Britain. He was posted to Malta to No. 261 Squadron and then to 185 Squadron. Whilst at Malta he has shot down 3 and a half enemy aircraft by day and 1 E/A by night and 1 probable, making his total successes 6 and a half enemy aircraft confirmed, 1 enemy aircraft probable and 2 damaged. He has at all times shown great courage and a grand spirit even when against heavy odds. He has been an inspiration to those under him and has led his flight with skill and determination.Õ M.I.D. London Gazette 22 July 1940. Sold together with the following extensive contemporary archive comprising: (i) Pair of Second War Flying Gauntlets, leather, the inside inscribed ÔF/O EliotÕ. (ii) Cockpit light; canvas Gas Mask bag and First Aid bag. (iii) His two R.A.F. PilotÕs Flying Log Books (27 June 1939- 30 November 1943), these both annotated ÔKilled in ActionÕ and stamped ÔCentral Depository Royal Air Force, Apr. 1946Õ, both bound in leather, besides his riband bar with ÔBattle of BritainÕ gilt rosette to the 1939-45 Star. (iv) His Air Ministry Certificate of Competency and Licence to Fly Private Flying Machines, dated 3 August 1939. (v) Commission appointing Hugh William Eliot an Acting Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force, dated 1 September 1939, this glazed and framed. (vi) Bestowal Document for the Distinguished Service Order, dated 23 May 1944. (vii) His Mention in Despatches Certificate, dated 22 July 1940. (viii) Central Chancery Letter requesting recipientÕs attendance at Investiture, dated 28 March 1942, besides two Buckingham Palace Investiture Tickets, dated 14 April 1942. (ix) Telegram addressed to recipientÕs father, dated 7 September 1940, informing him that his son has been wounded and admitted to Twickenhurst Hospital, Kent. (x) Telegram similarly addressed, 6 March 1945, informing him that his son has been reported missing as a result of air operations, together with a Metropolitan Police Telegram informing him that his son is believed dead, dated 20 May 1945. (xi) Air Ministry Letter confirming the death of recipient, dated 23 May 1945. (xii) Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Eliot from F/O Richard Bradley, 19 S.A.A.F. Squadron, containing a poem he composed in memory of their son, dated 10 April 1945. (xiii) An important and unpublished archive of over 100 Letters and Telegraphs, the vast majority addressed to recipientÕs parents, mostly from the recipient dated between 1938-1945, from his various postings including with the B.E.F. in France and whilst stationed in Malta; the balance relating to him, his service and death - St. DunstanÕs College Chronicle, Michaelmas Term 1945, which carries an Obituary for the recipient. (xiv) A number of family and service photographs relating to various stages of recipientÕs life, newspaper cuttings and other related ephemera. Hugh William Eliot was born at Bromley, Kent on 16 April 1921 and was educated at St. DunstanÕs College, Catford, 1931-38. He would have followed in the footsteps of Robert Stanford Tuck, who was five years his senior. Eliot followed TuckÕs achievements with great interest and pride. He was briefly employed by Coutts Bank before taking up a Short Service Commission into the Royal Air Force; commenced his training as a Pilot at No.6 E.&R. F.T.S., Sywell, on 27 June 1939. He was made Acting Pilot Officer on 22 August 1939 and after further training at No.12 F.T.S. he was posted for training in Hurricanes to No. 6 O.T.U, Sutton Bridge, 12 March 1940. Eliot was thence posted for operational flying with No. 73 Squadron (Hurricanes). Into the fire Ð Battle of France No. 73 Squadron was one of two Hurricane Squadrons that were sent to France as part of the Advanced Air Strike Force, one of the first to arrive and in the event, the last to leave. These Hurricane Squadrons were destined to either support the Advanced Air Striking Force (AASF) which comprised Fairey Battle bombers or the Air Component of the Field Ð the force that supported the BEF. During the autumn and bitterly cold first winter of the war, the Fairey Battles often flew without fighter cover and were mauled by the German Bf 109s, resulting in their operations being restricted to night missions. The Hurricanes flew patrols over the allied lines and attempted to shoot down the high flying reconnaissance Do 17s and He 111s. Encounters between the Hurricanes and the Bf 109s in the spring of 1940 were rare but this was to change from 10 May when German forces launched their Blitzkrieg (lightning war). Eliot was to find himself in illustrious company, flying alongside the first Ace of the war, New Zealander Edgar ÒCobberÓ Kain. By the time of his tragic death in June 1940, he had accounted for 14 victories and gained much fame. Eliot was taken under the wing of Flight Lieutenant J E "Ian" Scoular, commander of 'B' Flight, Eliot was to remark that it was Scoular who taught him the art of air fighting At first light on 10 May 1940, Luftwaffe Heinkels and Dorniers, escorted by Bf 109s and Bf 110s, bombed their primary targets Ð the bases, depots and landing strips of the Allied forces in Belgium, France and Holland. Surprise was complete and the attacks very successful. The British Air Force in France requested immediate reinforcements and on the first day of Blitzkrieg No. 1 and 73 Squadrons of the AASF were reinforced with No. 3 and 79 Squadrons and two days later by No. 504 Squadron. For the first five days of Blitzkrieg the Hurricanes could only defend their own airfields. In the days that followed, the Squadrons were forced to make hasty withdrawals, in the face of the German advance, to new bases further west. On 20 June the order was given for all Squadrons to withdraw back to England. The Battle of France was over Ð between 10 May and 20 June the Royal Air Force had lost 944 combat aircraft, including 386 Hurricanes and 67 Spitfires. Eliot opened his account on 11 May damaging a He 111, the following day he was to damage a Hs 126, having a lucky escape, his Hurricane ÔÉshot up by rear gunnerÕ. In the aftermath of the Battle of France many Squadron records were lost in the withdrawal. EliotÕs Fly Log Book offers a valuable insight into the heroic attempts to stem the onslaught. He also described the action to his parents; ÔAs you have read in the papers the old balloon has really gone up this time and action is thick and fast. I am feeling very pleased with myself just now and I expect you can guess why. Old ÒJerryÓ certainly has lost a lot of machines! Well there goes the air raid warning again but I have got to the stage now when I only run when I hear the bombs beginning to whistle!Õ On 14 May he claimed an Me109 near Namur and the following on his third patrol of the day he was to add to his tally with an Me 110 shot down in flames, also damaging a second Me 110. During this period of hectic activity he was flying with Kain and on 25 May he would dispatch a Do15. The following day he was to try to intercept 9 Me 109Õs but no engagement was made. On 28 May 28 he chased a He 111 but was unable to catch it due to cloud. June was to retain the same intensity, for on 13 June he chased three HeinkelÕs and shared one, on the third patrol of that day he chased three Heinkels and as his log book records had a lucky escape with a bullet grazing his ear piece. Despite the heroic efforts of the RAF the steamroller could not be stopped and EliotÕs logbook points to two tragedies; the fall of France and the sinking of Lancastria which was dive bombed with the deaths of some forty members of No. 73 SquadronÕs ground crew. Battle of Britain On 18 June 1940 the Squadron was taken out of the front line and based at Church Fenton for a rest. Eliot himself was detached to Sherburn for Night Fighter training. The Squadron was operational from 7 July 1940 and tasked as a Night Fighter Squadron during the Battle of Britain. On 8 August Eliot moved with the Squadron to Castle Camps and by 5 September he Eliot carried out a defensive patrol and whilst chasing several enemy aircraft witnessed Sergeant Griffin shot down. The following day he was to carry out another defensive patrol when in an effort to close on a group of He113Õs he was attacked by a group of Me109Õs, having to bail out near Maidstone. Despite suffering serious burns his Log Book records his fate and undiminished humour. It is evident Eliot was keen to return to action as soon as possible and had ÔÉ.hope to get cracking this weekÕ when writing to his mother on 1 October. He was back in action on 7 October and four days later he had to spectate on Sergeant Plenderleith being shot down, ÔstragglingÕ on a patrol near Hornchurch - Biggin Hill. Thus, as the Battle of Britain came to a close, Eliot could count himself lucky to have come through only having been Ôslightly crispedÕ. Malta Ð Making an Entrance Eliot volunteered for service in Malta soon after and in early November he embarked upon the carrier Argus, as part of Operation White. She sailed for Gibraltar with twelve Hurricanes and two Skuas aboard, plus thirteen R.A.F. fighter pilots and two naval crews. Malta: The Hurricane Years 1940-41, by C. Shores & B. Cull, gives a good account; ÔÉAt dawn on the 17th...engines were started and at 0615 the first six Hurricanes took off, together with Skua L2882Éit was some 400 sea miles to Malta which should have meant that the Hurricanes, if flown at appropriate speed, revs and altitude, would reach the island with 45 minutesÕ fuel to spare. In the event it took 15 minutes to get all the seven aircraft into the air and formed up, so that a third of their safety margin had already evaporated. At last they set off; the flight was led by newly promoted Flt. Lt. J.A.F. MacLachlan, D.F.CÉ.the other pilots were Plt. Offs. C. E. Hamilton and H. W. Eliot, and Sgts. J.K. Norwell, R. A. Spyer and W. G. Cunnington. They headed for Malta at 150mph at a height of 2,000 feet - far from ideal, since the HurricaneÕs best cruise range was achieved at 10,000 feet and at a lower speed. The second Flight followed an hour later. as the first flight headed on towards Malta it was noticed that the cloud shadows and sea patterns were changing. A smoke float was dropped from the Skua, showing that the wind had veered from west- southwesterly to east-south-easterly, thereby presenting the aircraft with an almost direct headwind to fly into. Soon visibility worsened. the first landfall - Galite Island - was safely reached, although 25 minutes behind schedule. Here a Sunderland from No. 228 Squadron met the formation to lead them on to Malta. Now, however, fuel was running very low. At 0908, when still some 30-40 miles from the island, Sgt SpyerÕs V7413 ran out of fuel and fell towards the sea. The Pilot was able to bale out and MacLachlan followed him down, calling in the Sunderland. The latter landed and picked up the very relieved pilot out of the sea. Taking off again, the flying boat joined formation with MacLachlan and they set off after the rest. Well ahead, the other four Hurricanes could be seen straggling after the Skua. They passed through some cloud, but on emerging from this, there were only three. Sgt. Cunnington too had run out of fuel; he waved farewell and baled out at 0912. By the time the Sunderland appeared there was no sign of him however, and he was never found. Finally the four remaining Hurricanes and the Skua landed at 0920, MacLachlan with four gallons of fuel left and Norwell with only two. The engine of another aircraft cut before it could taxi off the runway, and the fourth had little more left than NorwellÕs. Fortunately the most successful, Norwell, who had three individual and four shared victories listed in his log book, had survived, as had Hugh ÔChubbyÕ Eliot, who had three and two shared with 73 Squadron during the Battle of France.Õ EliotÕs Log Book entry for that shows the fate of the second flight, ÔH.M.S. Argus To Ta Kali. Twelve Hurricanes Took Off, Four of Which Arrived At Malta. Remaining Eight Were Lost. I Just Made It, With 5 Gallons of Petrol To SpareÕ. Once Eliot had refuelled at Ta Kali, he flew off to join the detachment of No. 261 Squadron at Luqa. He arrived in time for the increase of fighter-bomber raids over the dockyard and Luqa; the Hurricanes carried out interceptions at high level, and left the islandÕs remaining Gladiator aircraft to patrol at low level. Much has been written on the vitally strategic role that Malta played in the war and the heroic actions of the RAF in fighting not only the Italian air force but also the Luftwaffe, facing huge odds and managing to hold both off until the tide of war changed. His Log Book again points to the staggering odds faced and despite that the success that he was to have; 10 January 1941 - ÔInterception - Chased 3 Macchis. No Luck. F/Lt. MacLachlan 2 Macchi and F/O Taylor 2 Macchi DestroyedÕ 15 January 1941 - ÔInterception - Met 4 Me 109s. Enemy Aircraft Retired in Disorder!Õ 16 January 1941, ÔInterception - 10 Me 109s F/Lt MacLachlan Shot Down (We Retired In Disorder!)Õ David Vs Goliath Ð 5 Vs 100 Eliot bagged his first victory over Malta on 26 February, when Axis forces launched one of their biggest ÔBlitzesÕ to date. The numerical superiority of the Luftwaffe was overwhelming and despite some successes, the butcherÕs bill was far from ideal. Eliot's Log Book reflected the costly loss of Pilot OfficerÕs Taylor, Kearsey and Langdon missing in combat. On 11th March on a Night Interception he shot down a Dornier 215, which he witnessed going into the sea. On March 22nd the squadron was to once again to find itself in the thick of it, when it was ÒjumpedÓ from astern whilst attacking a formation of bombers, Eliot adding to his tally with an Me 109 but at the loss of 5 pilots out of the strength of 8. Eliot himself had a lucky escape when five days later he found himself on the wrong end of two Me109Õs, he managed to escape with no damage. ÒFrance wasn't a patch on thisÓ The hazards of air fighting were not the only hazards faced on the island, the LuftwaffeÕs relentless bombing of the island meant living under continuous threat, Eliot was to have a close have this letter to his parents refers: Surviving this blast Eliot continued to add to his score, with an Me 110 on 11 April 1941 with Sergeant Pollard, once again the Squadron was to find itself severely outnumbered facing 40 Me 109Õs and MacchiÕs. Eliot was to close his account with the Squadron when he shot down a Ju 88 that was bombing the harbour. By this time No. 261 had to be disbanded due to losses and Eliot thus moved ÔCÕ Flight up the road to become No. 185 Squadron, which would operate out of Hal Far. He would start off their ÔLine BookÕ and made an interesting entry the day before they came to exist; ÔEarly this morning the Squadron was scrambled, and an aircraft was sighted flying low just off Delimara Point. Anti-aircraft bursts were seen in the vicinity and led by Plt Off Hamilton the boys gave chase. For 20 minutes, having pulled everything in sight to try and get an extra mile per hour, the chase continued. After nearly 100 miles very little progress had been made and the leader gave it up. Sgt Wynne, however, with great gusto continued the chase singlehandedly and eventually closed to firing range. After putting all his ammunition into what he supposed to be a [Junkers] Ju 88 he returned to land and reported he had damaged the aircraft in question. All well and good Ð one probable Ju 88 to the credit of the Squadron Ð but more to come! Some little time later an irate Glenn Martin [Maryland] crew arrived looking for the Hurricane who had chased them half way to Crete! After a good deal of explaining and apologies everything was settled, and a party ensued during which everyone concerned became very light-hearted about the whole issue. The evening ended with handshakes all round and a promise from the [Maryland] crew to enter in their Log Book Ð ÒAffiliation exercises with HurricanesÓ! Needless to say, not one hole was shot anywhere in the Glenn Martin!Õ The intensity of operations remained with incessant Axis raids. On 1 May 1941 on an interception patrol he was jumped by six Me 109Õs, surviving that he was jumped again just minutes later. On 16 May he was attacked by a formation of Me 109Õs engaged on a bombing run. In September he was returned to England added a richly-deserved D.F.C. to his laurels. Hurricanes at Hal Far Eliot was briefly posted as a Flight Commander to No. 242 Squadron at Digby, before being posted as a Flight Commander to No. 74 Squadron (Spitfires) at Llanbedr in October 1941. With the latter he mainly flew convoy patrols until posted as Commanding Officer of 3 Delivery Flight at High Ercal, 1 April 1942. Having converted to Beaufighters at No. 54 Night Fighter O.T.U. in August 1942, he was posted to No. 255 (Night Fighter) Squadron at Honiley, In September 1942 Eliot flew with the Squadron to North Africa in November of the same year. The Squadron got off to a disastrous start three days after arriving; ÔMaison Blanche was Bombed. F/O Wyrill Killed 12 a/c Written Off.Õ The surviving aircrew, including Eliot, returned home to re-equip and arrived back in Algiers with their new Beaufighters by early December 1942; they were immediately operational and their Beaufighters were now fitted with A.I. radar, engaged on intruder and convoy patrols. In August 1943 Eliot became Commanding Officer of No. 255 Squadron and took them to Sicily. They shared in the Salerno Bay Landings and added to his score on 9 September 1943 when he destroyed an Me 210, which crashed in flames. Eliot took the squadron to Taranto where he was engaged flying patrols over the Anzio beaches in support of the Anzio landings. On 22 January 1944 he recorded his last victory here, destroying a Do 217. At the end of February Eliot was posted to H.Q. Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force; he served under Air Commodore J. H. Edwards, HQ MACAF, CMF Eager to back into the fray, Eliot was posted as Acting Wing Commander of No. 256 Squadron (Mosquitos) out of Foggia in September 1944. He again added to his tally on 4 October 1911 when shooting down a Ju 52 in flames, two days later he was shoot down a Do 24. EliotÕs MosquitoÕs were to extend its area of operations over Southern France to Yugoslavia EliotÕs Mosquito was to be tragically shot down by flak whilst attacking a bridge in northern Italy on 4 March 1945. Both he and his Navigator were killed in action and buried in the Argenta Gap Cemetery, Eliot was just 23 years old and his D.S.O. would be promulgated after his death. Further details are given in EliotÕs obituary which was published in his old schoolÕs Chronicle, ÔHe had already been reported missing and it is with very great regret that we now receive confirmation of the news of his death. We thus lose, at the eleventh hour, one whose personal charm endeared him to all and whose achievements in the R.A.F. few can have surpassed. From the earliest days of the war down to the time of his death he had seen almost continuous operational service - as P/Offr. in 1940, when he was wounded and Òmentioned in despatchesÓ, as F/Lieut. in 1941 in Malta, where he was credited with the destruction of at least eight enemy planes and awarded the D.F.C.; as Sq. Ldr. in 1942 in England and North Africa; as Wing Cmdr. in 1943 in Sicily, where he must have been one of the youngest officers to hold such rank; and in the following year in Italy, where he received the D.S.O. for his distinguished services. On March 3 [sic], 1945, when he might very easily have left the duty to others, his keenness took him on an operational flight over Northern Italy from which his plane was the only one not to return, and it has since been established that he and his navigator were killed instantly in the Polesella area and given a ceremonial burial by the local Priest in the Polesella cemetery. His long and splendid service and the near approach of the end of the war in Europe heighten the tragedy of his death, and we cannot but feel that this is one of the saddest of the many sad losses we have had to record.Õ The effect of his loss on friends and family is keenly illustrated in the archive of letters included with the Collection. Perhaps the most poignant was one that had to be returned. It was sent from his sweetheart, dated 12 March 1945, eight days after he was killed in action; ÔI have one of your pictures in the celluloid backed side of my wallet. The more I look at it the more I love it. I must answer your last letter, let me see what did you say - You were going on a ÒShowÓ. I do hope you got back safely without mishap. Would I know if anything happened darling? I couldnÕt bear to think anything would, oh it mustnÕt darling. I hate to admit it but I say a prayer for you every night, honestly Hugh I only wish you could have another leave in the UK and just bully me into the nearest church.Õ A letter to EliotÕs parents, dated 28 September 1945, from Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Lloyd: ÔI am writing to you to express my deepest regrets at the loss of your son Hugh. I have known Hugh for a long time and I have the greatest admiration for his sterling qualities. We were together in Malta. Later, he joined me in North Africa where he served under me as a Staff Officer and Flight and Squadron Commander. I was very fond of Hugh. He was by far the most efficient and popular officer on my Staff and a superlative Squadron Commander. Everyone in his Squadron admired his courage and with it of course, he had such a delightful personality. His death came as a very great shock to me as I had always looked forward to seeing Hugh again. We knew each other so well and he stayed with me often.Õ Shortly after EliotÕs death, his friend Flying Officer Richard Bradley composed a poem about him entitled ÔHughÕ, which he sent to EliotÕs parents: High-borne upon the capricious billows of this life, Sedulous of duty, his faith unmoved by strife Of warring elements around, within, above, His instant neighbour death, his constant confide love. He passed in sudden tumult, Ôthe great surrender made Into that light that never more shall fade,Õ The sky oÕer Venice claimed him, the ÔEternal LandÕ his limbs, And the Eternal City arose, his hymn of hymns. Fire met fire, his spirit fervent, heroic, good, Of glorious dissemination passed on to the flood; His life - a vibrant freshet in TimeÕs gravid, steady wave; His death - a cry Ôto save mankind, himself he scorned to save.Õ But from our sphere of sorrow we see nor light nor gain; Our conning of GodÕs subtle ways that pass and turn again, Our scanning books, our aching prayers unanswered, all seem vain. Yet in our hearts in depths profound our Hugh, dear Hugh will live, Encompassed by the warmest, greatest gifts that man can give To man - his thoughts. Air Commodore J. H. Edwards also wrote to EliotÕs father on 18 March 1945: ÔI have known Hugh now for well on two years. I knew him first of all as a Flight Commander in a Night Fighter Squadron under my command and as CO of the same squadron during the Salerno landings. During that difficult time by sheer brilliance and drive he kept the squadron going on most difficult night operations for two months continuously. These operations were only supposed to have lasted for a few days. Last summer he came... to my Headquarters in Algiers, where he had been a delightful person to have on oneÕs Staff. He was always itching to get back on operations and as soon his six months were up he again took over command of the present squadron. Within the first few nights of his arrival he had destroyed two enemy aircraft... the first successes that the squadron had had for some months. He was a brilliant pilot, a born leader and a very gallant officer. His delightful personality has endeared him to everyone. I have not written this in the formal manner of a Senior Officer to a missing officerÕs parents, but as a friend of his who has admired and like him enormously for a long time.Õ

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