|
Post by shred on May 13, 2013 12:27:30 GMT -5
In WW2 55,000 men of the RAF's Bomber Command lost their lives. Amongst them was Pilot Officer Cyril Joe Barton VC (5/6/21 - 31/3/44). Cyril Barton was a Handley Page Halifax Pilot with 578 Squadron Royal Air Force. He had successfully completed six sorties in LK-E which the crew had christened 'Excalibur'. On the night of the 30th of March 1944 they came under fire from a JU88 night fighter. Two fuel lines were cut, the inner starboard engine was damaged and caught fire, the intercom lines were cut, the radio and rear turret were disabled, three of Barton's crew the bombardier the radio operator and navigator bailed out. Inspite of this Barton pressed on to Nuremberg and released the bombs himself, then turned for home with a pilot's map and the pole star to guide him. 90 miles off course and with only one engine still working, Barton was out of fuel and out of luck, he crashed trying to avoid the houses and pit head workings of the village of Ryhope, near Sunderland. He was pulled alive from the wreckage but died before reaching the hospital.
Before the crash he ordered his remaining crew to get behind the main spar (the connection between the wings and the strongest structural part of the aircraft). They survived. For his bravery Pilot Officer Barton was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award any serviceman can receive.
Pilot Officer Barton was the ONLY Halifax Pilot to receive the VC.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 13, 2013 13:09:13 GMT -5
an act of heroism that should never be forgotten. These are the people that would be turning in their graves if they could see how people act today.
|
|
|
Post by shred on May 13, 2013 15:51:56 GMT -5
This was Cyril: and this is the airfield he used to fly from: The Wing Commander of 578 Squadron was a man called David Wilkerson, both he and Cyril had been leaders in the Scout movement before the war having been members since they were in the Wolf Cubs. Wilkerson who had survived 47 sorties against the enemy was killed as a passenger on a ferry flight which lost control shortly after takeoff, due to a fault with the tail assembly. Wilkerson was much loved by his squadron. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star by the USAAF.
|
|