Major E.U. Brierley, DFC & U.S.A. DFC

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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.