Citation Pls: Clifford George MONK

[Amrit]

Would anyone happen to have the citation for:

DFC 2nf Oct 1945
Flying Officer Clifford George MONK (178312), R.A.F.V.R., 247 Sqn.

The reason I ask:

http://www.cfww2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251

cheers guys
A

[HughAHalliday]

The file at Kew may have a more detailed recommendation:

MONK, Clifford George, F/O (178312, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve) - No.247 Squadron - Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 2 October 1945. National Archives (Kew), document hAir 2/9132 has citation drafted when he had flown 133 sorties (182 operational hours).

"Flying Officer Monk has completed two tours of operational duty, during which he has taken part in numerous attacks against enemy road and rail transport and shipping. In May 1945, he led his flight in an attack on shipping in Kiel Bay. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire he pressed home his attack at very low level and one enemy ship was destroyed and three others damaged. Flying Officer Monk has completed numerous sorties against targets in the Middle East. he has always led his flight with great skill, determination and a fine fighting spirit which have been reflected in the high standard of operational efficiency maintained by his flight."

[Amrit]

Thank you, Hugh.

Did you have a look at the link I posted? I ask because there is mention that he captured about 30 German soldiers after he was shotdown, and I was half expecting that that may have been mentioned in the citation. But as you say, his recommendation may have more details.

Thanks again for your help.

regards
A

[Steve Brew]

Hi Amrit

Monk is one of 'mine', having served from late August 1942 to early 1943 (departure not mentioned in the ORB).

MONK, CLIFFORD GEORGE, 1332152, RAFVR; b. Streatham, London, 10 Oct 1922; joined RAFVR, Uxb., 21 Jan 1941; 22 EFTS, Cambridge, d/u 1941; 31 SFTS, Kingston, d/u; Sgt Plt, d/u; 5 (P)AFU, Tern Hill, d/u 1942; 52 OTU, Aston Down, d/u 1942; 41 Sqn, 25 Aug 1942-ca. late Jan 1943; IFA/EF/CL in Spit Vb, R6919, Penrhos, 26 Oct 1942; postings wanting, 1943-1945; com. Prob Plt Off (178312), 10 Jun 1944; Plt Off conf. & to Fg Off (WS), 10 Dec 1944; 247 Sqn, d/u; hit by AA in Typhoon Ib, MP120, & FL 6m NW of Wesel, G., 24 Mar 1945; DFC, 2 Oct 1945; trans. to ASD, 6 Dec 1945; MiD, 1 Jan 1946; com. rel., 19 Apr 1946, rtng. Fg Off.

Thanks for sharing this info, which is an addition to what I have (I'll update my info based on what you've posted), but I think I will contact his cousin in due course, too.

In regard to his rounding up of 30 German soldiers, I would think that any award given for this would have not been a DFC (for valour in the air), so perhaps this is what his MiD was awarded for?

May I ask your interest in Monk?

Cheers
Steve

[Amrit]

Hi Steve

thank you for the additional info pre-247 Squadron. My interest in him is generic in that I found his obit and we like to post them on the other forum as a way of remembering the veterans.

But I have found that obits printed in local papers tend to have to be double checked for details that maybe a bit, err, askew.

cheers
A

[Steve Brew]

Thanks Amrit

I might add that the statement in the Worthing Herald, "Clifford's military career ended in 1944 after he was badly injured in an airfield accident and lost a lung" stands in contrast to the DFC citation posted by Hugh, "In May 1945, he led his flight in an attack on shipping in Kiel Bay"!

All this aside, however, if Monk was shot dowed and returned to Allied lines with 30 German POWs, there should be an Escape and Evasion Report for him, which I'll now toodle off and try to find on the online indexes. If this is correct, I'll photograph it on my next visit to Kew.

Thanks for your original post; most appreciated.

Cheers
Steve

[Chris Thomas]

Monk was shot down by flak during support of the Rhine crossings, 24 March 45. Force-landing in occupied territory, under heavy Allied shellfire, he vacated his aircraft at speed and dived into a trench - whose occupants promptly surrendered, followed by more of their colleagues.

For the groundcrew's version of this yarn see 2ndTAF Vol4 page 719. Also accounts in 247's ORB and unofficial diary (also in Air 27). Monk's lineshoot (on the subject of mines when he vacated his aircraft) is recorded in the latter - "It wouldn't have made any difference if I had trod on a mine - I'd have been miles away by the time it went off!"

[Amrit]

Thank you Chris. I had a look through Volume 3 of TAF but only found mention of the loss itself. Me thinks it is time I invested in Volume 4 too.

regards
A