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Millington, William Henry

Nationality:
British

Biography

Servicenumber: 42720.

Promotions:
18th September 1939: Acting Pilot Officers on
probation;
20th April 1940: Acting Pilot Officer;
24th July 1940: Pilot Officer (on probation).

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Awarded on:
October 1st, 1940
Citation:
"In August, 1940, this officer was flying as a member of a section engaged on aerodrome guard patrol. Fifteen Dorniers escorted by a large number of Messerschmitts were sighted and an attack was ordered. Pilot Officer Millington succeeded in damaging a Dornier, but was in turn engaged by three Messerschmitts. He damaged one, shook off the other two and, single-handed, again engaged the bombers. During a further attack by two of the enemy fighters, he shot down one but a cannon shell burst in the engine of his aircraft causing it to burn.
Pilot Officer Millington, although suffering from a wound, chose to make a crash landing rather than abandon his aircraft and so endanger a village in front of him. He succeeded in getting clear just before the petrol tanks exploded. A few days previously, he attacked a formation of about sixty Heinkels, two of which he destroyed. He has displayed great courage in attacking superior numbers of enemy aircraft."

Published in The London Gazette, dated 1st October 1940.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Sources

  • - The London Gazette, Issue 34700, dated Tuesday 3rd October 1939
    - The London Gazette, Issue 34849, dated Tuesday 14th May 1940
    - The London Gazette, Issue 34954, dated Friday 24th September 1940
    - The London Gazette, Issue 34958, dated Tuesday 1st October 1940

Photo