Swales, Ian Clifford Kirby

Date of birth:: 1915
Date of death:: October 1991
Service number:: 563107 (NCO)/44835 (Officer)
Nationality:: British

Biography

Ian Swales enlisted in the RAF in 1931 as an aircraft apprentice and was trained as a fitter aero engines. Later he became a pilot and was commissioned in 1940.
He joined no. 38 Squadron in Marham in October 1939 flying Wellingtons followed by no. 15 Squadron which he joined in August 1941, flying Stirlings. His first mission with this squadron was to Berlin on August 12th. This was followed by missions on Brest as well as Berlin, Skoda Works in Czechoslovakia and a raid on Tirpitz in the Tromso Fjord on 29th January, 1942.
A next posting was to 1651 Conversion Unit. He also spend time as an instructor.
He returned to operational flying when appointed CO of no. 622 Squadron based at Mildenhall and flying Lancasters on 5 February, 1944.
Finally his last operational flight was a daylight strike on Walcheren Dyke on 3rd October 1944.
Post war he served in D-Wing Germany, Staff College Haifa, H.Q. M.E. Cairo & Jerusalem, OC Flying C.N.C.S. Shawbury, Air Ministry P.2, Station Commander RAF Changi in Singapore (1957-60) where he was a mentor to the country's new leader, Lee Kuan Yew, in preparation for independence. His final appointment was S.O.A. H.Q. 23 Group.

In retirement, he worked as a flying instructor in Ireland. In 1974, 4 members of the IRA turned up at Dundalk Aero Club and hijacked Swales while on the ground, loaded 4 barrel bombs into his Cessna and told him to fly the bombs with 2 of the gang, with the intention of bombing the security forces in Crossmaglen. The other 2 gang members remained at the airfield to prevent the alarm being raised. However, they were "unable" to locate Crossmaglen and dropped one bomb in the countryside. Having flown back across the border, they forced Swales to land the plane in a valley and they made their escape. The Irish Army were called to remove the 3 remaining bombs from the aircraft and they were then destroyed.

Promotions:
Pilot Officer on probation 5 November, 1940
Flying Officer Off 5 November, 1941
Flight Lieutenant 9 August, 1942
Squadron Leader 1 May, 1944
Wing Commander 1 July, 1947
Group Captain 17 January, 1963

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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Wing Commander
Unit:: No. 622 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: November 7th, 1944

Citation:
"This officer has completed numerous sorties on his third tour of operational duty. He is a most inspiring leader whose outstanding ability, great drive and unswerving devotion to duty have contributed in a large way to the high standard of operational efficiency of the squadron he commands. He has rendered much valuable service."

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flying Officer
Unit:: No. 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: March 13th, 1942

Recommendation (drafted when he had flown 45 sorties):
"This officer has carried out 28 sorties on Wellington and 18 on Stirling aircraft, involving attacks against the majority of important and highly defended targets in Germany and in occupied territory. Flying Officer Swales took part in five "Trinity" raids against enemy warships at Brest and played a good part in the success of these attacks in their experimental stages. On 7th November 1941, he participated in a raid on Berlin and, despite intense opposition, he cooly carried out a successful bombing attack. This officer has always shown courage and determination in the face of the enemy."

Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Sergeant
Unit:: No. 38 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: October 22nd, 1940

Citation:
"On the night of 21st July 1940, Sergeant Swales was Captain of a Wellington aircraft which had completed the successful bombing of his objective when he was heavily engaged by an enemy aircraft, receiving direct hits from cannon shells which exploded inside the aircraft. The rear gunner was seriously wounded and the hydraulic system put out of action. Despite the hydraulic system being crippled, Sergeant Swales flew his aircraft 350 miles to base and landed successfully. Sergeant Swales has on all occasions pressed home his attacks with great determination. He has completed 32 operational sorties against the enemy and has displayed great devotion to duty at all times."

His Station Commander remarked "An ideal Captain of Aircraft whom I have not hesitated to recommend for commissioned rank. Despite several very unpleasant experiences, this excellent Sergeant Pilot has continued to carry out his duties in an exemplary manner."

This raid - on 21st July 1940 - was an attack on Metelen Aerodrome.