Wounded No. 487 (NZ) Squadron Ventura Pilot Decorated
Oct 21, 2020 11:13:12 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 21, 2020 11:13:12 GMT 12
WOUNDED PILOT DECORATED
GALLANTRY IN ACTION
N.Z. VENTURA SQUADRON OVER BOULOGNE
(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, April 30.
The King has approved the immediate award of the D.F.M. to Sergeant G. F. Whitwell, of Tirau, for gallantry and determination in flying a Ventura bomber back from Boulogne although his left arm was shattered. Sergeant Whitwell has the distinction of receiving the first decoration awarded to the New Zealand Ventura Bomber Squadron. He received a personal message of congratulation from Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris, Commander-in-Chief, Bomber Command, also from the air officer commanding the group to which the squadron is attached, Air Vice-Marshal J. H. d’Albiac.
Sergeant Whitwell, who was in a crew with three Englishmen, took part in a raid on the marshalling yards at Outreau, near Boulogne. His was one of 12 aircraft. It was a fine, clear day, and the squadron could see the French coast when they were still at 3000 feet over England. As soon as they arrived over the target area they were met by very intense flak—it was so fierce that the fighter escort remained over the Channel, while the squadron went in to bomb.
While on their bombing run, flak burst near Sergeant Whitwell’s aircraft, smashing his left arm. and causing a compound fracture. The pain was excruciating and blood welled from the wound, but Sergeant Whitwell, handling the Ventura with his one good arm, carried on with his run until the bomb aimer reported, “Bombs gone." Then Sergeant Whitwell turned for England, and, in spite of the pain and difficulty of flying the bomber with one hand, he brought it down in Kent, making a perfect landing, using the flaps, and letting down the undercarriage.
Engine Catches Fire
His trouble was not yet over, for one engine caught fire as the Ventura landed, but Sergeant Whitwell put out the flames with the emergency fire extinguisher. He is now making a good recovery in hospital, and he will not lose his arm.
Air Chief Marshal Harris, in the message to Sergeant Whitwell, which he signed personally, stated: “My warmest congratulations on the award of your Distinguished Flying Medal.” Air Vice-Marshall d’Albiac said: “Heartiest congratulations on your well-deserved award,” The High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr W. J Jordan) also sent a message of congratulation.
Wing Commander G. J. Grindell. A.F.C., of Timaru, the squadron’s commanding officer, gave Sergeant Whitwell the highest praise. “The flak that day was the worst we have ever encountered in the squadron's 20 raids." he said. “We could see it bursting with red flashes all round, but miraculously all our aircraft returned, although all were shot up. One had 134 holes in it. The flak was so accurate that we had to break up our formation, which we have not had to do previously. Everyone in the squadron is proud of Sergeant Whitwell. and they agree that he deserves to win the squadron's first decoration.”
The squadron also recently raided the marshalling yards at Dieppe, Abbeville, and Cherbourg, securing good bombing results, and all the aircraft returned. Sergeant Whitwell has been on 12 raids.
This is the second occasion on which Air Vice-Marshal d’Albiac has sent congratulations to this New Zealand squadron. The first was when he praised their bombing of the Rotterdam docks. The Air Ministry recently announced that Venturas are the most heavily armed medium bombers in the world, having 10 machine-guns, two of which are of ½ in calibre. Venturas are twin-engined machines with a 1000-mile range. They cruise at 260 miles an hour, with a maximum speed of 300 miles an hour.
PRESS, 3 MAY 1943
GALLANTRY IN ACTION
N.Z. VENTURA SQUADRON OVER BOULOGNE
(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, April 30.
The King has approved the immediate award of the D.F.M. to Sergeant G. F. Whitwell, of Tirau, for gallantry and determination in flying a Ventura bomber back from Boulogne although his left arm was shattered. Sergeant Whitwell has the distinction of receiving the first decoration awarded to the New Zealand Ventura Bomber Squadron. He received a personal message of congratulation from Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris, Commander-in-Chief, Bomber Command, also from the air officer commanding the group to which the squadron is attached, Air Vice-Marshal J. H. d’Albiac.
Sergeant Whitwell, who was in a crew with three Englishmen, took part in a raid on the marshalling yards at Outreau, near Boulogne. His was one of 12 aircraft. It was a fine, clear day, and the squadron could see the French coast when they were still at 3000 feet over England. As soon as they arrived over the target area they were met by very intense flak—it was so fierce that the fighter escort remained over the Channel, while the squadron went in to bomb.
While on their bombing run, flak burst near Sergeant Whitwell’s aircraft, smashing his left arm. and causing a compound fracture. The pain was excruciating and blood welled from the wound, but Sergeant Whitwell, handling the Ventura with his one good arm, carried on with his run until the bomb aimer reported, “Bombs gone." Then Sergeant Whitwell turned for England, and, in spite of the pain and difficulty of flying the bomber with one hand, he brought it down in Kent, making a perfect landing, using the flaps, and letting down the undercarriage.
Engine Catches Fire
His trouble was not yet over, for one engine caught fire as the Ventura landed, but Sergeant Whitwell put out the flames with the emergency fire extinguisher. He is now making a good recovery in hospital, and he will not lose his arm.
Air Chief Marshal Harris, in the message to Sergeant Whitwell, which he signed personally, stated: “My warmest congratulations on the award of your Distinguished Flying Medal.” Air Vice-Marshall d’Albiac said: “Heartiest congratulations on your well-deserved award,” The High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr W. J Jordan) also sent a message of congratulation.
Wing Commander G. J. Grindell. A.F.C., of Timaru, the squadron’s commanding officer, gave Sergeant Whitwell the highest praise. “The flak that day was the worst we have ever encountered in the squadron's 20 raids." he said. “We could see it bursting with red flashes all round, but miraculously all our aircraft returned, although all were shot up. One had 134 holes in it. The flak was so accurate that we had to break up our formation, which we have not had to do previously. Everyone in the squadron is proud of Sergeant Whitwell. and they agree that he deserves to win the squadron's first decoration.”
The squadron also recently raided the marshalling yards at Dieppe, Abbeville, and Cherbourg, securing good bombing results, and all the aircraft returned. Sergeant Whitwell has been on 12 raids.
This is the second occasion on which Air Vice-Marshal d’Albiac has sent congratulations to this New Zealand squadron. The first was when he praised their bombing of the Rotterdam docks. The Air Ministry recently announced that Venturas are the most heavily armed medium bombers in the world, having 10 machine-guns, two of which are of ½ in calibre. Venturas are twin-engined machines with a 1000-mile range. They cruise at 260 miles an hour, with a maximum speed of 300 miles an hour.
PRESS, 3 MAY 1943
