Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Sergeant

Unit:

No. 10 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Awarded on:

August 4th, 1942

Recommendation (drafted 17 May 1942 by Wing Commander J.B. Tait, Commanding Officer of No.10 Squadron when had flown 24 sorties (179 operational hours):
"On the night of 27th April 1942, Flight Sergeant Darby was taking part on his 24th sortie as navigator in an aircraft detailed to carry out a 150 feet low-level bombing attack on the German battleship Von Tirpitz in Ass Fjord, Norway. The operation was rendered all the more hazardous by the high surrounding cliffs, which permitted an entry only by way of the fiercely defended mouth of the fjord. Over the target the aircraft was subjected to an intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire but, in spite of being hampered by a thick smoke screen, dived straight down and along the fjord to press home a perilously low attack right across the target. As a result of the terrific enemy fire the aircraft was holed in several places.
On returning to base, the captain was outspoken in his praise of his navigator and reported that in guiding him down and through the intense curtain of fire he had been largely responsible for the successful completion of the attack and the withdrawal of the aircraft out of the narrow fjord. Undoubtedly Flight Sergeant Darby displayed splendid coolness in the face of point-blank enemy fire and I consider that his initiative and courageous devotion to duty fully merits the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. "

To this the Base Commander, Station Leeming, added (20 May 1942)
"Flight Sergeant Darby is a courageous and determined Non-Commissioned Officer who has always shown an eager and aggressive spirit in operations. He was a member of a crew which attacked the Tirpitz from a very low height and by his skill and courage was of the greatest help to his captain. I strongly recommend him for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)