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Group Captain Allan Wright
Group Captain Allan Wright, who has died aged 95, was a veteran of the Battle of France in 1940 and one of the last three surviving Battle of Britain ace fighter pilots.
As the opening phase of the Battle of Britain commenced in July 1940, Wright and his colleagues of No 92 Squadron were resting in South Wales following their fierce activity covering the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force from the beaches of northern France. Nevertheless, Wright shared in the destruction of a German bomber over Gloucestershire and on August 29 achieved a rare success for a Spitfire pilot when he engaged a Heinkel III bomber over Bristol at night and shot it down.
On September 9 No 92 was sent to Biggin Hill, at the height of the battle, to intercept the large formations of enemy bombers attacking London. Within two days Wright achieved success when he destroyed another Heinkel bomber and probably one of the escorting Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters. In the space of the next 20 days, as the battle reached its climax, he was credited with knocking out four more enemy aircraft, sharing in the destruction of a fifth, probably destroying a further two and damaging four.
On September 30 he engaged some Bf 109 fighters near Brighton and shot one down. His Spitfire was damaged and he had to make a forced landing. He was slightly wounded in this engagement and this signalled the end of his involvement in the battle. A month later he was awarded the DFC for "displaying great determination and skill".
The son of Air Commodore A C Wright, a Royal Flying Corps pilot and regular RAF officer, Allan Richard Wright was born at Teignmouth, Devon, on February 12 1920 and educated at St Edmund's College. He was awarded a cadetship to the RAF College, Cranwell, where he gained a commendation before graduating as a pilot in October 1939.
Wright joined No 92 Squadron as it was re-equipping with the Spitfire. Flying from Northolt, the squadron was soon in action over Dunkirk. Wright flew his first patrol on May 23, when he destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 110, possibly brought down another and damaged a third. His successes were tempered by the loss of his closest friend from his time at Cranwell. Many years later he commented: "We were just 22 years old and I was overwhelmed by shock and disbelief. The whole episode seemed a dream." The squadron's commanding officer, Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, was also shot down on this day. Later, as "Big X", Bushell masterminded the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III, but he was murdered by the Gestapo after being recaptured.
Wright flew six more patrols over the Dunkirk area, being engaged and firing his guns every time, and was credited with shooting down an enemy fighter and possibly destroying a bomber.
After recovering from wounds sustained in the closing phase of the Battle of Britain, Wright returned to No 92 and, in December, shot down a Bf 109.
He saw considerable action over northern France during the spring and summer of 1941. Fighter Command had gone on the offensive, seeking combat, and Wright gained further success. Flying the Spitfire Mk V on sweeps and bomber escort operations, he was frequently engaged by Bf 109s and he destroyed one, shared in the destruction of another and probably took care of two more.
On one occasion his Spitfire was badly damaged but he managed to cross the Channel back to England to make an emergency landing. He was rested in July after a year of constant combat and was awarded a Bar to his DFC.
Wright then trained fighter pilots before becoming the chief instructor at the newly formed Pilot Gunnery Instructor's School. He later undertook a tour of the United States to discuss gunnery and fighter tactics. On his return he trained as a night fighter pilot before becoming the flight commander on No 29 Squadron flying the Beaufighter. On April 3 1943 he shot down a Junkers 88 bomber and damaged a second, his final success of the war.
As a 23-year-old wing commander, he took command of the Air Fighting Development Unit, his service recognised by the award of the AFC. In early 1945 he left for Egypt to command the fighter wing of a bombing and gunnery school.
He remained in the RAF and held a number of fighter-related appointments including four years at the Air Ministry responsible for air defence planning. After converting to jet fighters he became wing commander, flying at Waterbeach near Cambridge with Hunter and Javelin squadrons under his command.
After two years in the Far East and a further two at HQ, Fighter Command, he was appointed to command the Ballistic Missile Early Warning Station (BMEWS) – the famous "Giant Golf Balls" – situated on the Yorkshire Moors at Fylingdales, near Whitby. This was the final site of three – the others operated by the USAF at Thule in Greenland and Clear in Alaska – to provide early warning of a ballistic missile attack. Fylingdales became fully operational during Wright's period of command. He retired from the RAF in February 1967.
He moved to North Devon where he spent the next 10 years developing a smallholding and renovating a cottage. He was an excellent and meticulous carpenter and woodworker.
He married his wife Barbara in June 1942 and she and their two sons and two daughters survive him.
Group Captain Allan Wright, born February 12 1920, died September 16 2015
source: The Telegraph
Group Captain Allan Wright, who has died aged 95, was a veteran of the Battle of France in 1940 and one of the last three surviving Battle of Britain ace fighter pilots.
As the opening phase of the Battle of Britain commenced in July 1940, Wright and his colleagues of No 92 Squadron were resting in South Wales following their fierce activity covering the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force from the beaches of northern France. Nevertheless, Wright shared in the destruction of a German bomber over Gloucestershire and on August 29 achieved a rare success for a Spitfire pilot when he engaged a Heinkel III bomber over Bristol at night and shot it down.
On September 9 No 92 was sent to Biggin Hill, at the height of the battle, to intercept the large formations of enemy bombers attacking London. Within two days Wright achieved success when he destroyed another Heinkel bomber and probably one of the escorting Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters. In the space of the next 20 days, as the battle reached its climax, he was credited with knocking out four more enemy aircraft, sharing in the destruction of a fifth, probably destroying a further two and damaging four.
On September 30 he engaged some Bf 109 fighters near Brighton and shot one down. His Spitfire was damaged and he had to make a forced landing. He was slightly wounded in this engagement and this signalled the end of his involvement in the battle. A month later he was awarded the DFC for "displaying great determination and skill".
The son of Air Commodore A C Wright, a Royal Flying Corps pilot and regular RAF officer, Allan Richard Wright was born at Teignmouth, Devon, on February 12 1920 and educated at St Edmund's College. He was awarded a cadetship to the RAF College, Cranwell, where he gained a commendation before graduating as a pilot in October 1939.
Wright joined No 92 Squadron as it was re-equipping with the Spitfire. Flying from Northolt, the squadron was soon in action over Dunkirk. Wright flew his first patrol on May 23, when he destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 110, possibly brought down another and damaged a third. His successes were tempered by the loss of his closest friend from his time at Cranwell. Many years later he commented: "We were just 22 years old and I was overwhelmed by shock and disbelief. The whole episode seemed a dream." The squadron's commanding officer, Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, was also shot down on this day. Later, as "Big X", Bushell masterminded the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III, but he was murdered by the Gestapo after being recaptured.
Wright flew six more patrols over the Dunkirk area, being engaged and firing his guns every time, and was credited with shooting down an enemy fighter and possibly destroying a bomber.
After recovering from wounds sustained in the closing phase of the Battle of Britain, Wright returned to No 92 and, in December, shot down a Bf 109.
He saw considerable action over northern France during the spring and summer of 1941. Fighter Command had gone on the offensive, seeking combat, and Wright gained further success. Flying the Spitfire Mk V on sweeps and bomber escort operations, he was frequently engaged by Bf 109s and he destroyed one, shared in the destruction of another and probably took care of two more.
On one occasion his Spitfire was badly damaged but he managed to cross the Channel back to England to make an emergency landing. He was rested in July after a year of constant combat and was awarded a Bar to his DFC.
Wright then trained fighter pilots before becoming the chief instructor at the newly formed Pilot Gunnery Instructor's School. He later undertook a tour of the United States to discuss gunnery and fighter tactics. On his return he trained as a night fighter pilot before becoming the flight commander on No 29 Squadron flying the Beaufighter. On April 3 1943 he shot down a Junkers 88 bomber and damaged a second, his final success of the war.
As a 23-year-old wing commander, he took command of the Air Fighting Development Unit, his service recognised by the award of the AFC. In early 1945 he left for Egypt to command the fighter wing of a bombing and gunnery school.
He remained in the RAF and held a number of fighter-related appointments including four years at the Air Ministry responsible for air defence planning. After converting to jet fighters he became wing commander, flying at Waterbeach near Cambridge with Hunter and Javelin squadrons under his command.
After two years in the Far East and a further two at HQ, Fighter Command, he was appointed to command the Ballistic Missile Early Warning Station (BMEWS) – the famous "Giant Golf Balls" – situated on the Yorkshire Moors at Fylingdales, near Whitby. This was the final site of three – the others operated by the USAF at Thule in Greenland and Clear in Alaska – to provide early warning of a ballistic missile attack. Fylingdales became fully operational during Wright's period of command. He retired from the RAF in February 1967.
He moved to North Devon where he spent the next 10 years developing a smallholding and renovating a cottage. He was an excellent and meticulous carpenter and woodworker.
He married his wife Barbara in June 1942 and she and their two sons and two daughters survive him.
Group Captain Allan Wright, born February 12 1920, died September 16 2015
source: The Telegraph
Blue skys....RIP
Vassili Zaitzev
Master Sergeant
Sidney Phillips Jr., featured in HBO's The Pacific passed on Saturday, September 26.
Beloved Alabama WWII veteran Sid Phillips dead at 91 | AL.com
Beloved Alabama WWII veteran Sid Phillips dead at 91 | AL.com
fubar57
General
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
I loved that character.
RIP
RIP
Dear Friends,
It is with the most heavy heart that I have to tell you that Squadron 31's beloved "Little Gunner from Malta" has joined his Band of Air Gunner Brothers.
Sgt Michael Basil Cauchi, 795258 RAF VR, proud member of Sq 31 SAAF, Top Gunner in Lt Reg Franklin's crew, Warsaw Veteran, and gentleman supreme, died last night, in hospital, near his home in Nuneaton, UK.
Michael, the last of your crew to go, may you sing from the turret forever more and as you make your way from the dark skies to the blue skies, think of us, when you enjoy the peanut butter and marmite sandwiches that are waiting for you at the end of the mission.
Our beloved friend, your passion and pride for your Squadron and the enthusiasm you instilled in us, will stay with us, till we meet again. Last year, he visited Warsaw on the occasion of 70 anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising and he had an occasion to meet his friends from 31 Sqn SAAF.
The Little Gunner from Malta, We Salute You...
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIz8zYjmRLw
It is with the most heavy heart that I have to tell you that Squadron 31's beloved "Little Gunner from Malta" has joined his Band of Air Gunner Brothers.
Sgt Michael Basil Cauchi, 795258 RAF VR, proud member of Sq 31 SAAF, Top Gunner in Lt Reg Franklin's crew, Warsaw Veteran, and gentleman supreme, died last night, in hospital, near his home in Nuneaton, UK.
Michael, the last of your crew to go, may you sing from the turret forever more and as you make your way from the dark skies to the blue skies, think of us, when you enjoy the peanut butter and marmite sandwiches that are waiting for you at the end of the mission.
Our beloved friend, your passion and pride for your Squadron and the enthusiasm you instilled in us, will stay with us, till we meet again. Last year, he visited Warsaw on the occasion of 70 anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising and he had an occasion to meet his friends from 31 Sqn SAAF.
The Little Gunner from Malta, We Salute You...
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIz8zYjmRLw
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fubar57
General
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
R.I.P.
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
michaelmaltby
Colonel
Ken Taylor, Canadian ambassador to Iran at the time of the US Embassy capture, who sheltered then smuggled American diplomats out of the country has passed. He earned the Congressional Medal for his cheeky plot.
Ken Taylor funeral honours famed diplomat in Toronto - Canada - CBC News
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argo_(2012_film)
Ken Taylor funeral honours famed diplomat in Toronto - Canada - CBC News
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argo_(2012_film)
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GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
John Delmar Anderson, BM2C, USN - USS Arizona
Mr. Anderson passed away Tuesday, 16 November at the age of 98. He was one of 7 remaining survivors of the Arizona's sinking during the 7 December 1941 attack at Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces.
Former Dilworth resident, oldest survivor of sinking of USS Arizona, dies
Mr. Anderson passed away Tuesday, 16 November at the age of 98. He was one of 7 remaining survivors of the Arizona's sinking during the 7 December 1941 attack at Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces.
Former Dilworth resident, oldest survivor of sinking of USS Arizona, dies
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
to them both.Squadron Leader Stan Dixon
Pilot who flew hazardous low-altitude parachute supply drops during the Malayan Emergency.
Squadron Leader Stan Dixon, who has died aged 95, flew his first operation in the Second World War while still a teenager; he was later awarded the DFC for supply dropping operations during the Malayan campaign in 1959.
Trained as an air observer, Dixon joined No 254 Squadron at the time of the Phoney War. With tension mounting, the squadron's Blenheims flew to Lossiemouth in north Scotland. On April 9 1940 the Germans invaded Norway and dozens of aircraft landed troops on a number of airfields. The following day, Dixon and his pilot, Sergeant Charlie Rose, mounted a lone attack against parked aircraft on Stavanger airfield.
Diving down to attack, Rose strafed the airfield despite heavy anti-aircraft fire and destroyed at least two aircraft. The crew then turned their attention to the nearby anchorage and attacked a number of flying boats, sinking one and damaging others. On the return flight to Scotland they encountered a German bomber and attacked it with the forward guns and then with the air gunner's turret guns. It disappeared with smoke trailing from an engine. The Blenheim had been damaged, however, and Rose slightly wounded. The undercarriage collapsed on landing and the ground crew found 30 bullet holes in the aircraft. Rose received the DFM.
Following the German invasion of the Low Countries, Dixon flew patrols over the North Sea and witnessed the bombing of Rotterdam by the Luftwaffe. After almost a year of flying operations, the squadron moved to Northern Ireland where he flew anti-submarine patrols and convoy escorts. Stanley Reginald Dixon was born in Durban, South Africa, on July 31 1920. His parents returned to England when he was 15 and he completed his education at Girton School, Cambridge. When he was 18 he joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve to train as an observer and was mobilised on the outbreak of war.
After completing his tour with No 254 Squadron he joined No 608 Squadron operating the Hudson on shipping strikes over the North Sea. After completing his second tour he was mentioned in despatches and spent the following year as a navigation instructor at a Coastal Command operational training unit.
Dixon had always wished to be a pilot and in July 1943 he left for Canada. It was unusual for a flight lieutenant with two tours of operations behind him to join a large intake of pilot recruits, and he was soon appointed the senior student. He was awarded his wings at the end of 1944. By the time he had completed his training to be a transport pilot, the war was over and he left the RAF for a brief period.
After re-joining in 1947 he flew Dakotas in Egypt and in 1950 returned to England to fly the Valetta transport aircraft on routes to Europe. On his promotion to squadron leader he joined a Transport Command Examining Unit, testing squadron pilots and checking on standardised procedures. Dixon established a similar unit for the Pakistan Air Force at Lahore. In January 1955 he was awarded the AFC.
In May 1957 Dixon left for Kuala Lumpur in Malaya to organise air supply during the Malayan Emergency. He also flew many sorties in Dakotas and Valettas to parachute supplies to Army units in the jungle. Some of the dropping zones were in hazardous terrain and the weather was a constant threat to the low-flying, lumbering aircraft. For his services during the Emergency he was awarded the DFC for "gallant and distinguished service".
Dixon returned to England in 1960 and spent the rest of his time in the RAF on various staff appointments retiring in 1975. He received the Air Efficiency Award.
He and his family moved to Norfolk where he spent eight years as the owner of a care home for the elderly before spending fifteen years as the welfare officer of the Royal Air Force Association Branch at Wymondham in Norfolk, where he was also a long-standing member of the local branch of the Royal British Legion.
He was a keen member of the Blenheim Society and a founding member of the Barnham Broom Golf Club, where he achieved a hole in one three times.
Dixon travelled widely, including a visit to the grave of his brother who had died on the notorious "Death Railway" in Burma while he was a prisoner of the Japanese.
He made his last flight in June 2014, when he took the controls of a light aircraft during Operation Propeller, an annual event when younger pilots take a veteran to a reunion of Second World War aircrew.
Stan Dixon married Joyce Bonser in 1942; she died in 1999. Their son survives him.
Squadron Leader Stan Dixon, born July 31 1920, died August 7 2015
source: "The Telegraph"
Pilot who flew hazardous low-altitude parachute supply drops during the Malayan Emergency.
Squadron Leader Stan Dixon, who has died aged 95, flew his first operation in the Second World War while still a teenager; he was later awarded the DFC for supply dropping operations during the Malayan campaign in 1959.
Trained as an air observer, Dixon joined No 254 Squadron at the time of the Phoney War. With tension mounting, the squadron's Blenheims flew to Lossiemouth in north Scotland. On April 9 1940 the Germans invaded Norway and dozens of aircraft landed troops on a number of airfields. The following day, Dixon and his pilot, Sergeant Charlie Rose, mounted a lone attack against parked aircraft on Stavanger airfield.
Diving down to attack, Rose strafed the airfield despite heavy anti-aircraft fire and destroyed at least two aircraft. The crew then turned their attention to the nearby anchorage and attacked a number of flying boats, sinking one and damaging others. On the return flight to Scotland they encountered a German bomber and attacked it with the forward guns and then with the air gunner's turret guns. It disappeared with smoke trailing from an engine. The Blenheim had been damaged, however, and Rose slightly wounded. The undercarriage collapsed on landing and the ground crew found 30 bullet holes in the aircraft. Rose received the DFM.
Following the German invasion of the Low Countries, Dixon flew patrols over the North Sea and witnessed the bombing of Rotterdam by the Luftwaffe. After almost a year of flying operations, the squadron moved to Northern Ireland where he flew anti-submarine patrols and convoy escorts. Stanley Reginald Dixon was born in Durban, South Africa, on July 31 1920. His parents returned to England when he was 15 and he completed his education at Girton School, Cambridge. When he was 18 he joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve to train as an observer and was mobilised on the outbreak of war.
After completing his tour with No 254 Squadron he joined No 608 Squadron operating the Hudson on shipping strikes over the North Sea. After completing his second tour he was mentioned in despatches and spent the following year as a navigation instructor at a Coastal Command operational training unit.
Dixon had always wished to be a pilot and in July 1943 he left for Canada. It was unusual for a flight lieutenant with two tours of operations behind him to join a large intake of pilot recruits, and he was soon appointed the senior student. He was awarded his wings at the end of 1944. By the time he had completed his training to be a transport pilot, the war was over and he left the RAF for a brief period.
After re-joining in 1947 he flew Dakotas in Egypt and in 1950 returned to England to fly the Valetta transport aircraft on routes to Europe. On his promotion to squadron leader he joined a Transport Command Examining Unit, testing squadron pilots and checking on standardised procedures. Dixon established a similar unit for the Pakistan Air Force at Lahore. In January 1955 he was awarded the AFC.
In May 1957 Dixon left for Kuala Lumpur in Malaya to organise air supply during the Malayan Emergency. He also flew many sorties in Dakotas and Valettas to parachute supplies to Army units in the jungle. Some of the dropping zones were in hazardous terrain and the weather was a constant threat to the low-flying, lumbering aircraft. For his services during the Emergency he was awarded the DFC for "gallant and distinguished service".
Dixon returned to England in 1960 and spent the rest of his time in the RAF on various staff appointments retiring in 1975. He received the Air Efficiency Award.
He and his family moved to Norfolk where he spent eight years as the owner of a care home for the elderly before spending fifteen years as the welfare officer of the Royal Air Force Association Branch at Wymondham in Norfolk, where he was also a long-standing member of the local branch of the Royal British Legion.
He was a keen member of the Blenheim Society and a founding member of the Barnham Broom Golf Club, where he achieved a hole in one three times.
Dixon travelled widely, including a visit to the grave of his brother who had died on the notorious "Death Railway" in Burma while he was a prisoner of the Japanese.
He made his last flight in June 2014, when he took the controls of a light aircraft during Operation Propeller, an annual event when younger pilots take a veteran to a reunion of Second World War aircrew.
Stan Dixon married Joyce Bonser in 1942; she died in 1999. Their son survives him.
Squadron Leader Stan Dixon, born July 31 1920, died August 7 2015
source: "The Telegraph"