Dredge, Alan Sydney

Date of birth:: February 4th, 1918 (Foleshill/West Midlands, Great Britain)
Date of death:: May 18th, 1945
Service number:: 741870/63785
Nationality:: British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Promotions:
?: Sergeant;
April 3rd, 1941: Pilot Officer on probation (seniority March 12th, 1941);
April 6th, 1942: Pilot Officer;
April 6th, 1942: Flying Officer (war subs. seniority March 12th, 1942);
April 6th, 1943: Flight Lieutenant (war subs. seniority March 12th, 1943);
October 1943: Acting Squadron Leader;
1944: Acting Wing Commander.

Career:
1939 - 1940: Pilote Training;
1940 - April 1941: No. 253 Squadron, Great Britain;
April 1941 - July 1941: No. 261 Squadron, Malte;
July 1941 - 1943: Hospital;
1943 - October 1943: Flight Leader No. 183 Squadron;
October 1943 - August 1944: Squadron Leader No. 3 Squadron.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flying Officer
Unit:: No. 183 (Gold Coast) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: July 27th, 1943

Citation:
"In May, 1941, this officer was pilot of one of a formation of six aircraft which were engaged by eighteen Messerschmitts. Fighting his way out, the officers attacked the enemy bombers which the Messerschmitts 109's were escorting. In the ensuing combat his aircraft was set on fire. It spun down from 22,000 feet to 14,000 feet at which point the officer skillfully regained control and executed a successful crash landing, although he had been badly burned. During the time he has been with 183 Squadron, this officer has displayed outstanding courage and enthusiasm."

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Squadron Leader
Unit:: No. 3 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: December 5th, 1944

Citation:
"This officer has led the squadron on a very large number of sorties, involving attacks on a wide range of enemy targets. Shipping, airfields, locomotives and various other targets have been most effectively attacked. Throughout these operations, Squadron Leader Dredge has displayed inspiring leadership, great courage and determination, qualities which have contributed materially to the successes obtained."

Sources

Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
- The London Gazette of 9th May 1941, Issue 35158
- The London Gazette of 14th April 1942, Issue 35525
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 15th June 1943, Issue 36059, dated 18th June 1943
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 23rd July 1943, Issue 36108, dated 27th July 1943
- Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette of 1st December 1944, Issue 36826, dated 5th December 1944
- Ciel de Gloire