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Hiles, Waldo Harry Bentley

Date of birth:
1913 (Swansea/Wales, Great Britain)
Date of death:
August 24th, 1943
Service number:
902147 / 121330, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Waldo Harry Bentley Hiles visited No. 623 Squadron on August 24th, 1943 and decided to fly with them on a nightraid to Berlin as the Pilot of Short Stirling, EH925 "IC-C". The plane was shot down near Berlin and since then he is reported missing in action.

Promotions:
?: Flight Sergeant;
May 1st, 1942: Pilot Officer (emegency);
?: Pilot Officer on probation;
?: Acting Flight Lieutenant;
November 1st, 1942: Flying Officer on probation (war subs.);
February 23rd, 1943: Flight Lieutenant on probation (war subs.);
?: Acting Squadron Leader.

Career:
?: No. 218 Squadron;
?: No. 3 Group HQ, Exning Hall;
August 24th, 1943: Guest Pilot Short Stirling EH925 IC-C, No. 623 Squadron.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
December 15th, 1942
Citation:
"In November, 1942, this officer captained a heavy bomber, detailed to attack Stuttgart. At one point on the outward flight. Flight Lieutenant Hiles brought his aircraft down to 200 feet while his gunners attacked a goods train and put it out of action. He then flew on to his objective and bombed it. During the return journey, attacks were made on targets on the ground, Including four separate attacks on goods trains and, in each instance, locomotives were set on fire; Flight Lieutenant Hiles also attacked an enemy aircraft on an airfield. This officer, who has completed a large number of sorties has invariably displayed outstanding skill and daring."

LG 35822/5458.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Squadron Leader
Unit:
No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
June 11th, 1943
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Citation:
"Squadron Leader Hiles has been flying on operations since May, 1941, and has completed numerous sorties since being awarded the D.F.C. He always presses home his attacks in the most determined manner, flying at low altitude regardless of enemy opposition."

LG 36051/2678.

Sources

  • Photo 1: Stephen Douglas
  • - The London Gazette of 9th June 1942, Issue 35592
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 11th December 1942, Issue 35822, dated 15th December 1942
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 8th January 1943, Issue 35858, dated 12th January 1943
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 20th April 1943, Issue 35989, dated 23rd April 1943
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 8th June 1943, Issue 36051, dated 11th June 1943
    - Flight Global - Archive
    - Commonwealth Wargraves Commission
    - Carmarthen County War Memorial

Photo

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