Flight of Typhoon Ib MN349 and Flying Officer P G West on 1944-05-24
On 1944-05-24, Pilot P G West (Flying Officer, RAF) with an unknown servicenumber, flew a Typhoon Ib with serial MN349 P for this duty: unknown operation. His mission was not completed. Circumstances of the aircraft loss: Crash landed at Newchurch. This aircraft was a part of squadron no. 164. The location for the map is Newchurch, United Kingdom. Circumstances at the end of this mission for West: he was injured. There is no commemoration location known.
More info of Allan Varcoe Dunedin New Zealand.
The following is from the London Gazette 2874 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 16 JUNE, 1944. Bear in mind, this was published during the war so details were sometime ‘truncated’.
Distinguished Service Order. Flying Officer Peter Gerald West (150199), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 164 Squadron. This officer was the pilot of one of a small formation of aircraft detailed to attack a ground target one morning in May, 1944.
His objective was the destruction, of a light gun position which menaced the success of the operation as a whole. In the execution of his task, Flying Officer West displayed such precision and resolution that the enemy gunners were unable to fire a single shell in defence of their position.
His main task was accomplished but seeing the guns of another emplacement further west, Flying Officer West pressed home an attack on this position on which he expended the remainder of his ammunition. As he turned for home his aircraft was hit by a shell. Flying Officer West was severely wounded in the arm and leg, both limbs being rendered useless. His radio-telephone was put out of action.
Nevertheless, this gallant pilot displayed the greatest coolness. With his good arm he lifted his maimed one above his head in an effort to decrease the flow of blood and set course for home. In this position he flew the aircraft to this country. Soon after crossing the coast he successfully effected a crash-landing in a field near a main road. This officer displayed courage, endurance and devotion to duty beyond praise.
There are several possibilities in investigating the flight records on Back to Normandy. All the flights are plotted on maps, sorted day by day, by squadron, by type aircraft, by year or month, by location and much more! Don't miss this!!!
If you have any information that you want to share, please add your comment at the bottom of this record. Or send your information to www.backtonormandy.org/support.html Your photos and your information are very welcome! The young do care and with your help we keep up the good work.