06.02.2017, 07:46
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#2
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Cat The Slayer
Регистрация: 06.04.2007
Сообщений: 4,113
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Кстати, на Бритмоделлере есть такой любопытный пост, дальнейшим коротким обсуждением:
Цитата:
Something that makes me think:
12 February 1942
Six Swordfish of No. 825 Squadron head out from their England into the Channel
They have Spitfire fighter cover
Their mission was to stop German battleships that broke out from Brest and were making a Channel Dash
The mission was a last ditch effort after lots of other problems, and it failed, and the ships got through
Six Swordfish were lost
Five of the 18 aircrew survived and were all awarded medals of bravery - four of them officers who received the Distinguished Service Order, and the lone other ranks survivor was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde who lead the raid and was killed in it was awarded the Victoria Cross
The mission becomes legendary and the heroes involved famous and won't ever be forgotten
26 January 1942
Vildebeest and Albacores of of No's 100 and 36 Squadrons flew TWO missions, plus one Hudson on the first of the raids
They flew much further to thier targets
The mission was to attack the Japanese ships landing their troops at Endau
Their fighter cover was not Spitfires, ir was merely Buffalo (though they did have the Master, Geoff Fisken, with them)
These men actually succeeded in hitting some of the ships and doing a fair bit of damage
The ultimate goal of the mission failed and the landing succeeded
Nine Vildebeest, an Albacore, and a Buffalo were lost, many to fighters on the way back
27 of the 72 Vilde crew were lost
The No. 100 Squadron commander was killed in the attack
Within weeks many of the survivors were POW's of the Japanese and remained so for the next three years, or died in captivity
Were any bravery awards dished out for this incredibly brave two-mission attack on the fleet at Endau? All I can find is the survivors were commended for their job by the Air Vice Marshal. Hmmm
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