HughAHalliday
11th November 2012, 11:46
In transcribing January 1946 awards, I have found two that might particularly interest those who study No.680 Squadron, viz:
WHITEHEAD, Raymond Sidney, Sergeant (463986, Royal Air Force) – No.680 (Photo Reconnaissance) Squadron, Middle East Command - British Empire Medal – awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1946. Air 2/9130, courtesy of Tom Thorne, has citation.
"This airman is a fitter employed in the maintenance flight. On one occasion in 1942 when important operations demanded one more Spitfire than was at the moment available in the squadron, Sergeant Whitehead achieved the almost impossible feat of taking the engine out of one machine and putting it into another in the space of a day. As a result, the aircraft was able to take off the next morning on a vital missions. On another time, when the Mosquito serviceability was low, Sergeant Whitehead worked through two days and one night, only breaking off for meals, so that the aircraft should be ready for operations at the earliest possible moment. He has been thoroughly reliable in his work and has set an excellent example to all."
HAMMOND, Henry John Kitchener, Flight Sergeant (564667, Royal Air Force) – No.680 (Photo Reconnaissance) Squadron, Middle East Command - British Empire Medal – awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1946. Air 2/9130, courtesy of Tom Thorne, has citation.
"This airman is a fitter who has been in charge of a detached flight of the squadron. The flight has only had a minimum of personnel, spares and equipment, but despite all difficulties Flight Sergeant Hammond built up the efficiency and kept the aircraft serviceable despite the fact that maintenance units were unable to supply the essential equipment. Operations have had to be conducted in very adverse weather conditions and the aircraft have had to be subjected to modifications. Sergeant Hammond has been able to produce the modifications required in the minimum time and has been greatly responsible for the success which has been achieved. He has taken great interest in the welfare of the men under him, and by his example has kept their morale exceptionally high."
WHITEHEAD, Raymond Sidney, Sergeant (463986, Royal Air Force) – No.680 (Photo Reconnaissance) Squadron, Middle East Command - British Empire Medal – awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1946. Air 2/9130, courtesy of Tom Thorne, has citation.
"This airman is a fitter employed in the maintenance flight. On one occasion in 1942 when important operations demanded one more Spitfire than was at the moment available in the squadron, Sergeant Whitehead achieved the almost impossible feat of taking the engine out of one machine and putting it into another in the space of a day. As a result, the aircraft was able to take off the next morning on a vital missions. On another time, when the Mosquito serviceability was low, Sergeant Whitehead worked through two days and one night, only breaking off for meals, so that the aircraft should be ready for operations at the earliest possible moment. He has been thoroughly reliable in his work and has set an excellent example to all."
HAMMOND, Henry John Kitchener, Flight Sergeant (564667, Royal Air Force) – No.680 (Photo Reconnaissance) Squadron, Middle East Command - British Empire Medal – awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1946. Air 2/9130, courtesy of Tom Thorne, has citation.
"This airman is a fitter who has been in charge of a detached flight of the squadron. The flight has only had a minimum of personnel, spares and equipment, but despite all difficulties Flight Sergeant Hammond built up the efficiency and kept the aircraft serviceable despite the fact that maintenance units were unable to supply the essential equipment. Operations have had to be conducted in very adverse weather conditions and the aircraft have had to be subjected to modifications. Sergeant Hammond has been able to produce the modifications required in the minimum time and has been greatly responsible for the success which has been achieved. He has taken great interest in the welfare of the men under him, and by his example has kept their morale exceptionally high."