Quote:Damn nice work Charlie! Even I didnt know that!
A.
P.S is the VC exclusive to the Army?
Thank you. Only took a second. There are lots of god books about the VC, and the breadth and depth of those who were awarded it is probably unbounded, from 16yr old "boy" soldiers, to Oxford educated very young yet high ranking RAF Officers.
Along with Gibson, Leonard Cheshire is probably the most famous aerial recipient of the VC. His award appears unique, as it was not awarded for a single event, but his persistent flying on Ops for most of WWII, including a "demotion" to Wing Commander in order to fly operationally again, including command of 617Sqn after Guy Gibson.
However one of the greatest examples of self sacrifice (and that of the crew he was flying with) was a Pathfinder, Sqn Ldr Robert Palmer RAFVR of 109 Sqn. A 24yr old veteran of over 100 operations, he was acting as master bomber on a raid on Cologne just before Christmas 1944...
Quote:He was 24 years old, and a Squadron Leader in the 109 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 23 December 1944 over Cologne, Germany, Squadron Leader Palmer was leading a formation of Lancaster bombers to attack the marshalling yards in daylight and it was his task to mark the target. Some minutes before reaching it he came under heavy anti-aircraft fire and two engines were set on fire, but disdaining the possibility of taking evading action and being determined to provide an accurate and easily seen aiming point for the other bombers, he managed to keep the badly damaged aircraft on a straight course, made a perfect approach and released his bombs. The Lancaster was last seen spiralling to earth in flames.
What wasn't mentioned on the full citation (with I could find at this second) was that he was flying on "Oboe", the radio system used to guide bombers directly on to a target. Therefore it was imperative that the bomber was kept exactly on course, receiving the directional signal and the release. I believe the rear gunner survived, but the rest of the crew perished...
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