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Liddle, Arthur

Service number:
1132613 (NCO)/155549 (Officer)
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Sergeant
Unit:
No. 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
December 15th, 1942
Citation:
"One day in November 1942, Flying Officer Turner and Sergeant Liddle were pilot and navigator respecively of a aircraft detailed to attack an industrial plant at Ijmuiden. Whilst over the target area, the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. A shell bursting in the navigator's cockpit caused much damage and wounded Sergeant Liddle on the face and in the arms, chest and leg. Despite this Flying officer Turner pressed home his attack and Sergeant Liddle disregarding his injuries, released his bombs on the objective. In the face of many difficulties Flying Officer Turner, gallantly supported by his navigator, flew the damaged aircraft back to an aerodrome in this country and landed safely. Both these members of aircraft have completed several sorties and have invariably displayed great courage and devotion to duty."

For this action a DFC was awarded to Flying Officer Turner.
Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Unit:
No. 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
December 24th, 1943
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Citation:
"Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, Pilot Officer Liddle has completed twenty-one operations against the enemy, some from high level, some from low level. He has often been the leading navigator of formations of squadron aircrft. Pilot officer Liddle has shown the utmost skill and coolness and has at all times been exceptionally eager to engage the enemy.

On the 27th August 1943, he was leading navigator of a formation of six aircraft detailed to attack a power station near Gosnay, from a low level. Soon after crossing the enemy coast the formation was attacked by fighters and these attacks continued all the way to and most of the way back from the target. Undeterred and unflurried by the evasive action which it was necessary to take against these fighters, Pilot officer Liddle guided his formation to the target and bombed it accurately in the face of fierce opposition from the ground. He then accurately his pilot back to base in spite of the course lying directly into a bright setting sun."

Sources

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