Archive for the ‘Victoria Cross’ Category

Flight Lieutenant Nicolson wins V.C.

Monday, August 16th, 2010
Flight Lieutenant James Brindley NICOLSON V.C.
Flight Lieutenant Nicolson has always displayed great enthusiasm for air fighting and this incident shows that he possesses courage and determination of a high order. By continuing to engage the enemy after he had been wounded and his aircraft set on fire, he displayed exceptional gallantry and disregard for the safety of his own life.

Posted in 1940, August 1940, Victoria Cross, fighters | No Comments »

Bomber Command’s first Victoria Cross

Thursday, August 12th, 2010
An earlier RAF photo reconnaissance photograph of the Dortmund Ems canal with the aqueduct that passes over a river. Barges can clearly be seen passing along the canal.
The low level, staggered approach of aircraft along a predicted route made for a hazardous operation. This was especially the case on a target that had previously been attacked, where the Germans were known to adding to their Anti-Aircraft defences.

Posted in 1940, June 1940, Victoria Cross, bombing | No Comments »

Captain Wilson defends Observation Hill

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
The British Somaliland camel Corps was led by only 14 British officers. Although only lightly armed they inflicted significant casualties on the invading Italians.
He inflicted such heavy casualties that the enemy, determined to put his guns out of action, brought up a pack battery to within seven hundred yards, and scored two direct hits through the loopholes of his defences, which, bursting within the post, wounded Captain Wilson severely in the right shoulder and in the left eye, several of his team also being wounded. His guns were blown off their stands but he repaired and replaced them and, regardless of his wounds, carried on, whilst his Somali sergeant was killed beside him.

Posted in 1940, August 1940, Victoria Cross | No Comments »

HMS Foylebank bombed in Portland Harbour

Sunday, July 4th, 2010
When out of the sun they came, enemy dive bombers. Diving straight down onto the guard ship, machine gunning and bombing. Hell let loose, about 20 planes, they appeared to have caught us napping. I immediately told my crew that we were going in to pick up the hands and ratings who were jumping and being blown into the water alongside of her. There was a barge with work people alongside of Foyle Bank, a bomb dropped alongside the barge turning it upside down.

Posted in 1940, July 1940, Victoria Cross | No Comments »