Johnson, Edward Cuthbert "Johnnie"
- Date of birth:
- May 3rd, 1912 (Lincoln, United Kingdom)
- Date of death:
- October 1st, 2002 (Blackpool, United Kingdom)
- Service number:
- 119126
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
Johnnie Johnson was the navigator/bomb aimer on the Lancaster captained by Les Knight during the successful attack on the Eder Dam on the night of 16-17 May, 1943.
Four months later, on 15 September 1943 the crew took part in bombing the aquaduct in the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Due to poor visibility over the target, the attack was unsuccessful. On the return, flying at tree-top-level the Lancaster hit a tree. Les Knight was able to allow his crew to bail out; however, Knight was unable to land the aircraft and was killed when crashing near Den Ham, the Netherlands.
Johnson however evaded capture and made his escape with the help of several resistance groups via the Netherlands, Belgium, France, crossed the Pyrenees where he was picked up by a British Embassy car and driven to Madrid.
After lodging in the embassy Johnson was smuggled across the border at La Linea and on to the Rock (Gibraltar), whence he was flown home in a Catalina flying-boat, arriving some four months after baling out on 22 December 1943.
After a rest he was placed with another crew.
Johnson was released in April 1947, he had some 1269hrs 10mins to his name across 13 different aircraft.
In peacetime he was a salesman of of Sellers Fireplaces ended as director of the company.
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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flying Officer
- Unit:
- No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- May 28th, 1943
- Awarded for:
- Operation Chastise
"On the night of 16th May, 1943, a force of Lancaster bombers was detailed to attack the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany. The operation was one of great difficulty and hazard, demanding a high degree of skill and courage and close co-operation between the crews of the aircraft engaged. Nevertheless, a telling blow was struck at the enemy by the successful breaching of the Mohne and Eder dams. This outstanding success reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of the following personnel who participated in the operation in various capacities as members of aircraft crew."
The original Confidential Recommendation for the award - in a joint Recommendation with Knight and Hobday - state:
'Pilot Officer Knight was Captain, Flying Officer Hobday Navigator and Flying Officer Johnson Bomb Aimer of an aircraft detailed to attack the Eder Dam.
By making several dummy runs over the target at extremely low level, until they were quite certain that their mine would hit the objective, they subjected themselves to constant risk, but by skill of high order on the part of the pilot and by excellent timing on the part of the Air Bomber, and the Navigator, they succeeded on the last run in breaching the Dam.
I strongly recommend that the outstanding work of this crew be recognised by the immediate award of the Distinguished Service Order to Pilot Officer Knight, and of the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flying Officers Hobday and Johnson.'
Air Chief Marshal Sir Ralph 'Cocky' Cochrane concurred with the recommendations and the awards were thus signed off by Air Chief Marshal 'Bomber' Harris.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
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