South, Gerald John "Gerry"

Date of birth:: October 21st, 1922
Date of death:: February 28th, 2010
Nationality:: British

Biography

Service number 143664.
Gerry South joined the RAF in 1940 and received his wings in 1941.
In 1943, he was posted to No. 405 Squadron which became the first Pathfinder squadron; an elite group which located and marked targets with flares, which a main bomber force could aim at, increasing the accuracy of their bombing.
In raids against some of the most heavily defended targets in Germany such as Berlin (eight sorties) and Schweinfurt, he was awarded the DFC and the DSO and flew in Halifaxes and Lancasters.
When he had finished his third tour, he was posted to Transport Command.
After the war he served in several postings such as during the Malayan conflict at Advanced Air Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, commanded No 115 Squadron during the Suez crisis
His final appointment was in 1969 as Group Captain Administration at HQ Near East Air Force, based in Cyprus.

Promotions:
February 28th, 1943: Pilot Officer (probation/emergency)
August 28th, 1943: Flying Officer (probation/war sub)
February 28th, 1945: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
? : Squadron Leader
July 1st, 1960: Wing Commander
January 1st, 1966: Group Captain

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flying Officer
Unit:: No. 405, Royal Canadian Air Force
Awarded on:: November 19th, 1943

Citation:
"One night in October, 1943, this officer was the pilot of an aircraft which attacked Hannover. Whilst over the target area, the bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Flying Officer South was wounded in the arm and the aircraft went into a steep dive. This pilot quickly regained control, however, and, disdaining first aid for the time being went on to make a successful attack. Later on, an enemy fighter was encountered but it was driven off. Flying Officer South displayed great fortitude and outstanding devotion to duty."

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:: No. 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: October 24th, 1944

Citation:
"A first class captain and a most conscientious officer, Flight Lieutenant South has been engaged in air operations almost continuously for a year, he has led attacks on a wide variety of targets including Berlin, Nuremberg, Hannover, Munich, Stuttgart, Kiel and Augsburg and has always pressed home his attacks with the utmost determination. His example when over these dangerous targets has proved a rare source of inspiration."

Sources

- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36254 published on the 16 November 1943
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36761 published on the 20 October 1944
- The Times Online - Obituaries