Flying Officer Cruickshank knew that the failure of this attack
had deprived him of the advantage of surprise and that his aircraft
offered a good target to the enemy's determined and now heartened
gunners. Without hesitation, he climbed and turned to come in again. The
Catalina was met by intense and accurate fire and was repeatedly hit. The navigator/bomb aimer, was killed. The second pilot and two other
members of the crew were injured. Flying Officer Cruickshank was struck
in seventy-two places, receiving two serious wounds in the lungs and ten
penetrating wounds in the lower limbs. His aircraft was badly damaged
and filled with the fumes of exploding shells. But he did not falter. He
pressed home his attack, and released the depth charges himself,
straddling the submarine perfectly. The U-boat was sunk. He then collapsed and the second pilot took over the controls. He
recovered shortly afterwards and, though bleeding profusely, insisted
on resuming command and retaining it until he was satisfied that the
damaged aircraft was under control, that a course had been set for base
and that all the necessary signals had been sent. Only then would he
consent to receive medical aid and have his wounds attended to. He
refused morphia in case it might prevent him from carrying on. During the next five and a half hours of the return flight he
several times lapsed into unconsciousness owing to loss of blood. When
he came to his first thought on each occasion was for the safety of his
aircraft and crew. The damaged aircraft eventually reached base but it
was clear that an immediate landing would be a hazardous task for the
wounded and less experienced second pilot. Although able to breathe only
with the greatest difficulty, Flying Officer Cruickshank insisted on
being carried forward and propped up in the second pilot's seat. For a
full hour, in spite of his agony and ever-increasing weakness, he gave
orders as necessary, refusing to allow the aircraft to be brought down
until the conditions of light and sea made this possible without undue
risk. With his assistance the aircraft was safely landed on the water. He then directed the taxing and beaching of the aircraft so that it
could easily be salvaged. When the medical officer went on board, Flying
Officer Cruickshank collapsed and he had to be given a blood
transfusion before he could be removed to hospital. By pressing home the second attack in his gravely wounded condition and
continuing his exertions on the return journey with his strength failing
all the time, he seriously prejudiced his chance of survival even if
the aircraft safely reached its base. Throughout, he set an example of
determination, fortitude and devotion to duty in keeping with the
highest traditions of the Service."
From Fg. Off. Cruickshank's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on September 1, 1944.
A true skilled and brave ally!
Brian & Melonie
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