Post by fwx on Jun 19, 2012 11:38:49 GMT 12
His name has come up on other threads but I think he deserves his own!
- photo Australian War Memorial
Wing Commander Cyril Henry Baigent, DFC (and bar), NZ411973, became Commanding Officer of 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF in early January 1945.
(Now this is the bit I can't quite get my head around ...!)
Barely twenty-two years of age (in fact one source says it was ten days before his twenty second birthday on 16 Jan), Baigent was already on his third tour, and took over as the youngest squadron commander in Bomber Command, leading the squadron for the remainder of the war.
From the Auckland war Memorial Cenotaph Database:
- Posted to Royal Air Force (RAF) in UK, September 1941.
- Served his first tour of duty (32 operations) with 15 Squadron, RAF, 1942. DFC, Nov 42.
- Served a second tour of duty (55 operations) with 115 Squadron, RAF, 1943.
- Took part in the first two 1000-bomber raids: 1) on Cologne, Germany on 31 May/1 June 1942, 2) on Essen, Germany on 1/2 June 1942.
- Appointed Squadron Leader, November 1943. Bar to his DFC, March 44.
- Promoted to Wing Commander and appointed Commanding Officer (CO) of 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, RAF early in 1945. Baigent was only 22 at the time and was therefore the youngest squadron commander in RAF Bomber Command.
- Air Force Cross, 1948.
- Returned to New Zealand in 1949 with a permanent commission as Squadron Leader and senior Administrative Officer at Whenuapai air base.
- Wing Commander and Commandant, Whenuapai, February 1953.
He was also involved in ferrying Mosquitos out from the UK in 1947.
He was still only 30 when he passed away in November 1953.
What an amazing record. He was still leading 75 squadron on op's well into 1945 so I imagine he must have flown around 100 in total??!
Citation for his DFC:
3 November 1942, 15 Squadron RAF
This officer, who has completed many sorties, has invariably displayed the greatest determination to complete his allotted task successfully. During an operation against a target in Bremen, he flew over the area for a considerable time to identify his objective before releasing his bombs. Although his aircraft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire, he flew it back to this country and affected a masterly emergency landing. Flight Lieutenant Baigent has set a fine example of courage and devotion to duty. Flight Lieutenant Baigent took part in the first and second 1000 bomber raids on Cologne on the night of 31 May – 1 June 1942, and Essen on the night 1-2 June 1942.
Citation for the Bar to his DFC:
4 March 1944, 115 Squadron RAF
This officer has completed a very large number of sorties, including eight attacks on Berlin. In an attack on the German capital one night in January 1944, Squadron Leader Baigent’s aircraft was repeatedly hit by cannon fire when attacked by fighters on approaching the target area. One engine was set on fire, the turrets were rendered unserviceable, and other damage was sustained. In spite of this, Squadron Leader Baigent pressed home his bombing attack and afterwards flew the damaged bomber to base. He displayed great skill and determination to make the sortie a success. Following this particular sortie Squadron Leader Baigent commented – “on landing we found one tyre completely missing which helped to make the landing an interesting one”
I found his citations but not much else on the 'net, and no photos (edit - found one, above). Does anyone else have more detail?
Cheers, Chris
- photo Australian War Memorial
Wing Commander Cyril Henry Baigent, DFC (and bar), NZ411973, became Commanding Officer of 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF in early January 1945.
(Now this is the bit I can't quite get my head around ...!)
Barely twenty-two years of age (in fact one source says it was ten days before his twenty second birthday on 16 Jan), Baigent was already on his third tour, and took over as the youngest squadron commander in Bomber Command, leading the squadron for the remainder of the war.
From the Auckland war Memorial Cenotaph Database:
- Posted to Royal Air Force (RAF) in UK, September 1941.
- Served his first tour of duty (32 operations) with 15 Squadron, RAF, 1942. DFC, Nov 42.
- Served a second tour of duty (55 operations) with 115 Squadron, RAF, 1943.
- Took part in the first two 1000-bomber raids: 1) on Cologne, Germany on 31 May/1 June 1942, 2) on Essen, Germany on 1/2 June 1942.
- Appointed Squadron Leader, November 1943. Bar to his DFC, March 44.
- Promoted to Wing Commander and appointed Commanding Officer (CO) of 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, RAF early in 1945. Baigent was only 22 at the time and was therefore the youngest squadron commander in RAF Bomber Command.
- Air Force Cross, 1948.
- Returned to New Zealand in 1949 with a permanent commission as Squadron Leader and senior Administrative Officer at Whenuapai air base.
- Wing Commander and Commandant, Whenuapai, February 1953.
He was also involved in ferrying Mosquitos out from the UK in 1947.
He was still only 30 when he passed away in November 1953.
What an amazing record. He was still leading 75 squadron on op's well into 1945 so I imagine he must have flown around 100 in total??!
Citation for his DFC:
3 November 1942, 15 Squadron RAF
This officer, who has completed many sorties, has invariably displayed the greatest determination to complete his allotted task successfully. During an operation against a target in Bremen, he flew over the area for a considerable time to identify his objective before releasing his bombs. Although his aircraft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire, he flew it back to this country and affected a masterly emergency landing. Flight Lieutenant Baigent has set a fine example of courage and devotion to duty. Flight Lieutenant Baigent took part in the first and second 1000 bomber raids on Cologne on the night of 31 May – 1 June 1942, and Essen on the night 1-2 June 1942.
Citation for the Bar to his DFC:
4 March 1944, 115 Squadron RAF
This officer has completed a very large number of sorties, including eight attacks on Berlin. In an attack on the German capital one night in January 1944, Squadron Leader Baigent’s aircraft was repeatedly hit by cannon fire when attacked by fighters on approaching the target area. One engine was set on fire, the turrets were rendered unserviceable, and other damage was sustained. In spite of this, Squadron Leader Baigent pressed home his bombing attack and afterwards flew the damaged bomber to base. He displayed great skill and determination to make the sortie a success. Following this particular sortie Squadron Leader Baigent commented – “on landing we found one tyre completely missing which helped to make the landing an interesting one”
I found his citations but not much else on the 'net, and no photos (edit - found one, above). Does anyone else have more detail?
Cheers, Chris
