HughAHalliday
17th May 2022, 13:43
Pilot Officer Joseph Lawrence MOORE (42071) No.115 Squadron Distinguished Flying Cross awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 November 1940; no citation. Information from Spink auction catalogue: The recommendation states:
One night in September, this officer was detailed to attack marshalling yards at Hamm with alternative targets, aerodrome at Schipol and targets at Essen. Hamm being obscured, he proceeded to Essen where the weather was clear, and in spite of the intense heavy and light flak and searchlights, he made three separate attacks, one on a blast furnace, another on a railway siding and cooking plant, and a third on an iron works, from heights varying between 6000 and 1500 feet. He then dived at high speed across Essen, both gunners firing at flak and searchlight positions. While returning to base he observed night flying in progress at Schipol aerodrome, and dropped his two remaining bombs on the flare path from 6000 feet. Since the beginning of the war, his personal record of operations has been 30 bombing raids or major operations. This officer always carries out his raids at a low height in spite of opposition.
Flight Lieutenant Joseph Laurence Moore, D.F.C. (1920-1943), served with 115 Squadron (Wellingtons), 1940-41; operations included: Hamburg (The Bremen, Europa, and Bismarck); Kiel (Gneisenau); Hamm, Dortmund, Manheim, Hirson, Berlin and La Fere; on the last occasion, Moore baled out three of his crew due to engine trouble and landed at Watton with only his Second Pilot; posted to No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron, Pathfinder Force, May 1943; Flight Lieutenant Moore was reported missing, presumed killed, following the raid on Elberfeld, June 25, 1943.
One night in September, this officer was detailed to attack marshalling yards at Hamm with alternative targets, aerodrome at Schipol and targets at Essen. Hamm being obscured, he proceeded to Essen where the weather was clear, and in spite of the intense heavy and light flak and searchlights, he made three separate attacks, one on a blast furnace, another on a railway siding and cooking plant, and a third on an iron works, from heights varying between 6000 and 1500 feet. He then dived at high speed across Essen, both gunners firing at flak and searchlight positions. While returning to base he observed night flying in progress at Schipol aerodrome, and dropped his two remaining bombs on the flare path from 6000 feet. Since the beginning of the war, his personal record of operations has been 30 bombing raids or major operations. This officer always carries out his raids at a low height in spite of opposition.
Flight Lieutenant Joseph Laurence Moore, D.F.C. (1920-1943), served with 115 Squadron (Wellingtons), 1940-41; operations included: Hamburg (The Bremen, Europa, and Bismarck); Kiel (Gneisenau); Hamm, Dortmund, Manheim, Hirson, Berlin and La Fere; on the last occasion, Moore baled out three of his crew due to engine trouble and landed at Watton with only his Second Pilot; posted to No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron, Pathfinder Force, May 1943; Flight Lieutenant Moore was reported missing, presumed killed, following the raid on Elberfeld, June 25, 1943.