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

Citation:
"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.