"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
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