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  Lieut. E.J. Phillips, MC

  By archie777 · Posted 15 minutes ago

  Military Cross (MC) (Geo.V): “Lieut. E.J. Phillips, July 19th 1916” MC LONDON GAZETTE 26 SEPTEMBER 1916   “In the Book Pyramids & Poppies by P. Digby Page 136 – “Col. Thackeray and his 2 remaining Officers both wounded and 120 men left Delville Wood” and in the book “Delville Wood” by Ian Uys there are numerous references to Lt. Phillips and on page 265 there is the following paragraph;   “Edward Phillips was one of the two wounded Officers who emerged on the 20th with Col. Thackeray. He was awarded the MC in September 1916. On October 13 dangerously wounded at Butte de Warlen Court from which he died on the 16th of October”.   He is confirmed on the Nominal Roll of Infantry Officers at the Somme in July 1916 and he is confirmed on the list of Delville Wood decorations for his MC. On page 6 of  the book “Delville Wood” is a group photo on which Lt. Phillips can be seen.  Edward Phillips was one of the last three officers to leave The Wood.
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  Major Owen Park Gray, DFC

  By archie777 · Posted 25 minutes ago

  Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) (Geo.VI) dated 1944; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; WM; ASM 47416 O.P. Gray   DFC LONDON GAZETTE 14 NOVEMBER 1944 “Major Owen Park Gray (47416V), South African Air Force, No. 17 (S.A.A.F.) (Flight commander; sorties 93; flying hours 572.) This officer, who is now on his second tour of operational duty, has an outstanding operational record. He has accomplished particularly good work during recent operations. In August, 1944, Major Gray located 4 enemy vessels off Savona.   Despite appalling weather, he flew at low level over the heavily defended port of Savona and delivered a telling attack. Later in the same month he participated in a highly successful attack on the oil refinery and dockyard of Port St. Louis du Rhone. At all times Major Gray has maintained a high standard of operational efficiency in his flight.” Owen Park Gray was born in Escourt on 5 May 1907. He enlisted in the ACF in 1923 and served with the Natal Carbineers for four years. On 29 June 1938 he attested for service with the SAAF as a Pupil Pilot. He served as a Signal Officer with 11 Squadron in East Africa and subsequently briefly with 21 Squadron in Egypt before returning to the Union in August 1942. Returning to the Middle East in December he was posted 17 Squadron on 27 January 1943 serving with the Squadron in Aden, the Mediterranean and in Italy. No. 17 Squadron was reformed on 8 October 1942 at Zwartkop.   It then moved to Aden, where it was equipped with Bristol Blenheims, using them to fly anti-submarine patrols for five months. In May 1943 these aircraft were flown to Egypt and distributed to other units, while No 17 Squadron's pilots were dispersed amongst transport units.   The squadron came back together in August 1943 when it received its Lockheed Venturas. These were used to fly anti-submarine patrols from bases in Palestine, in April 1944 the squadron moved to the western Mediterranean - first to Gibraltar and then quickly on to Bone. For the rest of the year the squadron flew anti shipping patrols off the southern French and northern Italian coasts as well as carrying out bombing raids on coastal targets.   Gray was promoted Temporary Captain on 27 May 1942 and as Temporary Major on 22 March 1944 while filling the post of Flight Commander in No. 17 Squadron. 
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  Hungarian 40th Anniversary Medal

  By gjw · Posted 26 minutes ago

  Great info Steve!  Many thanks!!   Thanks again all for the comments and wonderful info!   Stay well my friends!   Greg
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  Lieutenant Lewis Masterman Jacobs, DFC

  By archie777 · Posted 35 minutes ago

  Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) (Geo.VI) dated 1944; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star (clasp North Africa 1942-43); Italy Star; DM; WM; ASM 27810 L.M. Jacobs  DFC LONDON GAZETTE 7 JANUARY 1944 “Lieutenant Lewis Masterman Jacobs 27810 12 Squadron S.A.A.F.   An Observer, outstanding for his determination and skill, Lieutenant Jacobs has led his squadron on many occasions.   Regardless of enemy opposition or adverse weather he has invariably released his bombs with great precision. At all times he has set an excellent example of courage and devotion to duty.”  Lewis Masterman Jacobs was born in 1917 and educated in Natal. He was the son of Captain L.M. Jacobs, DSO and bar who had served with the South African Infantry in France during WWI. He joined the Witwatersrand Rifles on 8 July 1940 and transferred to the S.A.A.F. on 1 April 1941. He qualified as Navigator in September 19 and served with No. 12 Squadron in North Africa, taking part in the invasion of Sicily and Italy.    Returned to the Union in October 1943, but was back in Egypt in November training on Marauders and Baltimore aircraft. Transferred to 55 Squadron. He was shot down and reported missing on a night raid on Vigodarzere over Italy on 19 February 1945.  From Logbook: “Bombed and strafed. A/C holed & set on fire STB engine by 20 mm flak – successful belly landing. Crew unhurt – kept by partisans in area foothills north of Vincenza from 22/2 till 2/5.”
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  Major E.U. Brierley, DFC & U.S.A. DFC

  By archie777 · Posted 43 minutes ago

  Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) (Geo.VI) dated 1942; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Africa Star; WM with MID oak leaf; ASM 29607 E.U. Brierley; U.S.A. Distinguished Flying Cross DFC LONDON GAZETTE 7 APRIL 1942 AMERICAN DFC 20 JUNE 1944   Major E.U. Brierley, S.A.A.F. 60 Sqn. “This officer has carried out some 75 sorties. Most of these sorties were carried out deep into enemy territory. He has done most valuable photographic survey work in East Africa and in the Western Desert.” By direction of the President, under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-45, as amended, the American Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded by the Theatre Commander to:  “EDWARD U BRIERLEY, 29607-V, Major, 60th Squadron, South African Air Force, or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 30 September 1943 in the Mediterranean Theatre of operations.   Major Brierley took off from North Africa on one of the longest photo reconnaissance missions ever attempted prior to that time.   Assigned targets far into the Balkans, Major Brierley’s flight plan called for over ten hours in the air, requiring that all fuel reserves be used. Shortly after arriving over enemy territory, mechanical failure prevented the use of his emergency fuel tank.   With outstanding courage and sense of duty, Major Brierley pressed on to his objective, knowing full well that his fuel would not carry him back to his operating base but at best to only a hazardous advance field.    The mission was highly successful, and urgently needed target chart material was obtained. This example of high courage and devotion to duty was typical of the outstanding flying and combat leadership of Major Brierley Commanding Officer of the 60th Squadron, S.A.A.F., and reflects great credit on himself, his organisation and the strength and spirit of the United Nations.”   Captain Brierley was also Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 1 January 1942).  The award of both the British and American Distinguished Flying Cross with the British DFC at the “head” of the medal group and the American DFC (only 7 awarded to South Africans during WWII), (being a “foreign” award) makes this a rare group of special distinction. Usher Brierley was born in Cardiff in Wales on 1 July 1911. He had attended school at Epsom College. Edward was an experienced civilian pilot being employed as a Chief Pilot by the Aircraft Operating Company in Johannesburg.    Brierley qualified for his S.A.A.F. Wings on 16 January 1940. He was the Chief Pilot at Aircraft House and due to his extensive experience as a civilian photographic survey pilot working throughout Africa he was posted as 2/Lieutenant to 20 Squadron (Photo Squadron) on 23 May 1940 being transferred to 60 Squadron on 29 July 1940 which was soon to become the main photographic Squadron of the S.A.A.F.   Promoted A/Captain on 1 August 1940 he was confirmed as Captain on 20 November and as War Substantive Major on 4 November 1941.   By 1941, 60 (Photo Reconnaissance) Squadron operated as part of the Desert Air Force, operating Martin Marylands. In 1942 they received the Martin Baltimore and in February 1943 60 Squadron acquired their first examples of the DH Mosquito, apparently following the personal intervention of no less than Field Marshal Montgomery.    Edward was slightly injured in an air crash near Umkomaas in December 1942. After serving in East Africa and the war essentially over in North Africa Edward moved with his Squadron to San Severo in Italy over by May 1943.   To prepare for the European campaign, 60 Squadron, by now equipped with photo-recce Mosquitoes, carried out detailed large-scale photographic surveys of parts of Sicily and other Axis held areas, eventually ranging over the Alps and deep into Germany.   In 1944, the Squadron obtained the first photographic evidence of Nazi death camps - this grissly distinction until recently wrongly accredited to the USAAF. 60 Sqn accidentally photographed Auschwitz when they went to photograph the rubber plantation next to the camp.   This was first done in about 4 April 1944. When the photos were analysed, they found rows of people lining up in the camp. Photos also showed chimneys and all the other characteristics of a camp for prisoners. This, with other intelligence, brought them to the conclusions that extermination camps existed. With the cessation of hostilities, the squadron assisted the RAF in a photo survey of Greece. The squadron was officially withdrawn from operations on 22 August 1945 when they returned to Swartkop.   Due to urgent requests from his civilian employer Edward was released from  service a few months earlier on 8 April 1945 and he returned to Civil Aviation.   Edward was a winner of the well-known Governor-General's air race. With war clouds hanging ominously on the horizon, the 1939 race was from Durban to Matatiele - Aliwal North – Kimberley (night stop) - Rand - Ladysmith and back to Durban.   Small cash amounts and trophies were set up as prizes and the race was made a handicap event. Edward Brierley and Sidney Millyard flying Lord Wakefield's “Double Eagle” was the winner in at an average speed of 159.4 mph.