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ECKEL, F/L Edward Albert (J26464) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.625 Squadron - Award effective 6 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 16 January 1945 and AFRO 508/45 dated 23 March 1945. Born 1921 in Toronto; home there (salesman). Enlisted Toronto, 13 April 1942. Trained at No.5 ITS (graduated 24 October 1942), No.10 EFTS (graduated 10 January 1943) and No.2 SFTS (graduated 14 May 1943).
During his operational tour Flight Lieutenant Eckel has completed many attacks against major targets in Germany and occupied territory. At all times he has displayed outstanding leadership, cool courage and devotion to duty which have won the admiration of all his crew. On several occasions his aircraft has been subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire and attacks by enemy fighters but by his fine airmanship and determination he has overcome all opposition and completed his allotted tasks. In July 1944 his aircraft was detailed to attack Stuttgart. While on a second run over the target severe damage was sustained from anti-aircraft fire. Although the aircraft was very difficult to control, Flight Lieutenant Eckel successfully attacked his target. Another time in September 1944, during a mission against an airfield at Gilzerijen his aircraft was again attacked by intense anti-aircraft fire while on the bombing run and the flight engineer was wounded. Undeterred, Flight Lieutenant Eckel flew his aircraft safely back to base and landed it successfully without further damage or injury to his crew.
NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9038 has recommendation dated 12 October 1944 with sortie list and a more detailed narrative as follows:
5 July 44 Dijon
7 July 44 Caen
12 July 44 Tours
25 July 44 Stuttgart - damaged by flak; port outer engine u/s returned on three engines
31 July 44 Foret de Nieppe
3 Aug 44 Trossy St. Maximum
4 Aug 44 Pauillac
7 Aug 44 Fontenay le Marmion
10 Aug 44 Oeuf en Ternois
12 Aug 44 Brunswick
16 Aug 44 Stettin
18 Aug 44 Ghent
25 Aug 44 Russelheim
26 Aug 44 Kiel
3 Sept 44 Gilze-Rijen damaged by flak
12 Sept 44 Frankfurt
16 Sept 44 Rheine-Salzbergen
20 Sept 44 Calais
23 Sept 44 Neuss
25 Sept 44 Calais
26 Sept 44 Calais
3 Oct 44 West Kapelle
7 Oct 44 Emmerich
11 Oct 44 Frederick Hendrik
14 Oct 44 Duisburg
This Canadian pilot is the captain of a Lancaster aircraft and is now nearing the end of his first tour of operations, having flown 26 sorties comprising 138 hours operational flying. At all times he has proved himself an extremely able and gallant captain whose operational record is of the highest order.
He has participated in attacks on many heavily defended targets in Germany and the occupied countries including Stuttgart, Brunswick, Stettin and Kiel and has always pursued his task to the utmost, winning for himself and his crew a very high reputation for determination and devotion to duty.
On several occasions the aircraft captained by Flight Lieutenant Eckel has been subjected to attacks by accurately predicted heavy anti-aircraft fire and enemy aircraft, but this officer has, by his skill and determination, overcome all opposition in order to complete his allotted task. On the occasion of an attack on Stuttgart on 25/26th July 1944 the aircraft flown by Flight Lieutenant Eckel was hit by well-directed heavy anti-aircraft fire whilst making a second bombing run over the target, and the port outer engine, wing and fuselage were badly damaged. Despite the difficulty in controlling the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Eckel bombed the target successfully against the heavy opposition.
On another occasion, whilst attacking Gilze-Rijen airfield on 3rd September 1944, the Lancaster aircraft flown by this pilot was subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire on the bombing run over the target and the Flight Engineer wounded, but with his usual cheerfulness and masterly control Flight Lieutenant Eckel brought his aircraft back to base without further damage or injury to the crew.
Throughout his tour of operations Flight Lieutenant Eckel has shown exceptional qualities of leadership and coolness, and his courage, skill and devotion to duty have been a great inspiration to his crew. He is most strongly recommended for an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.