Learoyd, Roderick Alastair Brook
- Date of birth:
- February 5th, 1913 (Folkestone/Kent, Great Britain)
- Date of death:
- January 24th, 1996 (Rustington/Sussex, Great Britain)
- Nationality:
- British (1801-present, Kingdom)
Biography
Flight Lieutenant Learoyd was one of the airmen who had been detailed during a briefing on August 12th, 1940, to bomb the Dortmund-Ems Canal. During this action, two aircraft were destroyed and another two so severely damaged that Learoyd was forced to proceed with the attack on his own. In spite of the Flak, he managed to succesfully drop his bombload from 150 feet. Although his aircraft sustained damage during this action, he managed to fly his plane safely back to his homebase.
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Victoria Cross (VC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Flight Lieutenant
- Unit:
- No. 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- August 20th, 1940
This officer, as first pilot of a Hampden aircraft, has repeatedly shown the highest conception of his duty and complete indifference to personal danger in making attacks at the lowest altitudes regardless of opposition. On the night of 12th August, 1940, he was detailed to attack a special objective on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. He had attacked this objective on a previous occasion and was well aware of the risks entailed. To achieve success it was necessary to approach from a direction well known to the enemy, through a lane of especially disposed anti-aircraft defences, and in the face of the most intense point blank fire from guns of all calibres. The reception of the preceding aircraft might well have deterred the stoutest heart, all being hit and two lost. Flight Lieutenant Learoyd nevertheless made his attack at 150 feet, his aircraft being repeatedly hit and large pieces of the main planes torn away. He was almost blinded by the glare of many searchlights at close range but pressed home this attack with the greatest resolution and skill. He subsequently brought his wrecked aircraft home and, as the landing flaps were inoperative and the undercarriage indicators out of action, waited for dawn in the vicinity of his aerodrome before landing, which he accomplished without causing injury to his crew or further damage to the aircraft. The high courage, skill and determination, which this officer has invariably displayed on many occasions in the face of the enemy, sets an example which is unsurpassed."
Later promoted to the rank of Wing Commander.
Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd, Worthing Crematorium, Great Britain.
Name on RAF-memorial in St.Clement Dane's Church, Aldwych, Central London, Great Britain.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo: Wikimedia Commons
- - Victoria Cross Reference
- The Register of the Victoria Cross - uitgegeven door This Engeland 1997 - ISBN 0906324270
- Speciale dank aan Iain Stewart van The History of the Victoria Cross
- Lord Ashcroft Medals - The World’s Largest Victoria Cross Collection
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34927/supplement/5090
Photo
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