• Junker Ju 88

Date of birth:

June 11th, 1909

Service number:

90160

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Before the war, George Pinkerton was a Renfrew farmer.
On the 16th October 1939 the No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron had their first successful arial combat when two Spitfires of 602 Squadron flown by Pinkerton and Flying Officer Archie McKellar engaged a German Junkers Ju88 above the Firth Of Forth. Luftwaffe pilot Hauptman Helmut Pohle of Kampgeshwader 30 (KG30) was at the controls. He tried to keep the Spitfires at bay but they kept harrying the Ju 88 along the Fife coastline at low level and eventually shot the aircraft down into the sea near the fishing village of Crail killing two of the crew.
About ten minutes before Pinkerton and McKellar had shot down their Ju88 Flight Lieutenant Pat Gifford of 603(City of Edinburgh) Squadron had shot down another Ju88, which was the first aircraft to be shot down in Arial combat since the First World War.
On 24th November 1939 Pinkerton was promoted to Squadron Leader and given Command of 65 Squadron at Northholt.
In April 1940 Pinkerton returned to take Command of 602 Squadron.

Promotions:
18 October, 1933: Pilot Officer (No. 602 (City of Glasgow) (Bomber) Squadron)
18 April, 1935: Flying Officer
8 January, 1938: Flight Lieutenant
1 January, 1940: Squadron Leader
1 September, 1941: Temporary Wing Commander
23 September, 1943: Wing Commander (war sub)
? Acting Group Captain

31 July, 1962: Deputy Lieutenant (for Renfrewshire)

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Awarded on:

November 28th, 1939

Citation:
"During October, 1939, Flight Lieutenant Pinkerton, leading a section of his squadron, engaged an enemy bomber. The aircraft attempted to take refuge in the clouds, but with great skill and initiative Flight Lieutenant Pinkerton led his patrol in pursuit and, with total disregard of danger, brought his guns to bear from a distance of fifty yards, causing the enemy aircraft to crash into the sea."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Group Captain

Awarded on:

June 2nd, 1943

Citation:
"This officer has been in command of the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit since January 1942. Since then the pilots of the unit have destroyed five and damaged two enemy aircraft in six engagements. The high state of efficiency and morale of the unit is due to the keenness of this officer who has give the closest attention to the detailed training of the personnel under his command. "

• - The London Gazette Issue 33993 published on the 7 November 1933
  - The London Gazette Issue 34160 published on the 14 May 1935
  - The London Gazette Issue 34474 published on the 18 January 1938
  - The London Gazette Issue 34742 published on the 28 November 1939
  - The London Gazette Issue 34765 published on the 2 January 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 35270 published on the 9 September 1941
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36033 published on the 28 May 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36245 published on the 9 November 1943
  - The London Gazette Issue 42753 published on the 10 August 1962
  - TheFew.info
  - BBC - People's War
  - Royal Air Force Commands