Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Honored Allies Wednesday: Thomas Gray (United Kingdom)


 
"Flying Officer Garland was the pilot and Sergeant Gray was the observer of the leading aircraft of a formation of five aircraft that attacked a bridge over the Albert Canal which had not been destroyed and was allowing the enemy to advance into Belgium.   All the aircrews of the squadron concerned volunteered for the operation, and, after five crews had been selected by drawing lots, the attack was delivered at low altitude against this vital target.  Orders were issued that this bridge was to be destroyed at all costs.  As had been expected, exceptionally intense machine-gun and anti-aircraft fire were encountered.  Moreover, the bridge area was heavily protected by enemy fighters.  In spite of this, the formation successfully delivered a dive-bombing attack from the lowest practicable altitude.  British fighters in the vicinity reported that the target was obscured by the bombs bursting on it and near it. Only one of the five aircraft concerned returned from this mission.  The pilot of this aircraft reports that besides being subjected to extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire, through which they dived to attack the objective, our aircraft were also attacked by a large number of enemy fighters after they had released their bombs on the target.  Much of the success of this vital operation must be attributed to the formation leader, Flying Officer Garland, and to the coolness and resource of Sergeant Gray, who in most difficult conditions navigated Flying Officer Garland's aircraft in such a manner that the whole formation was able successfully to attack the target in spite of subsequent heavy losses.  Flying Officer Garland and Sergeant Gray did not return."
 
From Sgt. Gray's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on June 11, 1940.
 
May you be at peace,
Brian & Mel

Memorial at the Albert Canal Bridge.

A VC10 named after Garland & Gray.

Garland and Gray were also honored with a No.12 Squadron RAF Tornado GR4.


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