Denton, Frank Henderson
- Date of birth:
- April 23rd, 1917 (Greymouth, New Zealand)
- Date of death:
- March 1st, 2001
- Service number:
- 36238
- Nationality:
- New Zealander (1907-1947, Dominion UK)
Biography
Promotions:
17th January 1940: Pilot Officer;
17th January 1941: Flying Officer (war substitution);
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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Pilot Officer
- Awarded on:
- October 1st, 1940
"One night in September, 1940, although the enemy tried to tempt him with a dummy flare path, Pilot Officer Denton showed great resourcefulness and daring when he successfully attacked the aerodrome at Chartres, his primary target, from a very low altitude.
Several nights later, having failed to locate his target in the Ruhr owing to most severe weather conditions, he decided to attack the docks and shipping at Flushing. He broke cloud at 1,000 feet and manoeuvred until he was in a position to attack this target which he knew was heavily defended. Pilot Officer Denton dived through a devastating curtain
of light flak and machine-gun fire in a most determined and courageous manner, and released his bombs at an altitude so low that
the force of the explosions rocketed his aircraft several hundred feet in the air. Nevertheless, he was able to see large fires and explosions amongst the shipping and docks. He eventually, with great difficulty,
brought his aircraft, with gaping holes through each wing, safely back to its base. Pilot Officer Denton has taken part in twenty-four major bombing raids over enemy territory. He is a determined and courageous captain, and carries the complete confidence of his crew and associates."
The London gazette dated 1st October 1940.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Wing Commander
- Unit:
- No. 487 (RNZAF) Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- September 14th, 1945
- Awarded for:
- Operation Carthage
Citation:
"Wing Commander Denton has completed three tours of operational duty. In September, 1944, he was detailed to attack the Gestapo Headquarters at Aarhus, Denmark. Over the target area his aircraft struck the roof of a building and sustained severe damage. By brilliant airmanship this officer was eventually able to reach base. When detailed on another occasion to attack the Gestapo Headquarters, Copenhagen, his aircraft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire, making a crash landing necessary when base was reached. His work has always been an inspiration to his crew and to the squadron."
"Wing Commander Denton has completed three tours of operational duty. In September, 1944, he was detailed to attack the Gestapo Headquarters at Aarhus, Denmark. Over the target area his aircraft struck the roof of a building and sustained severe damage. By brilliant airmanship this officer was eventually able to reach base. When detailed on another occasion to attack the Gestapo Headquarters, Copenhagen, his aircraft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire, making a crash landing necessary when base was reached. His work has always been an inspiration to his crew and to the squadron."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Nicole Gray (Frank in the middle)
- - The London Gazette, Issue 34801, dated Tuesday 27th February 1940
- The London Gazette, Issue 34958, dated Tuesday 1st October 1940
- The London Gazette, Issue 35090, dated Friday 28th February 1941
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37265 published on the 11 September 1945
- Dix Noonan Webb
- Papers Past
Photo
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