Date of birth:

August 1st, 1920

Date of death:

April 8th, 1944

Service number:

42049

Nationality:

British

Eric Campling, the son of writer Eric Wood (who's real surname was Campling) was a graduate of Regent Street Polytechnic Secondary School for Boys, situated in the heart of London.
He was commissioned in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in November 1939, commenced his first operational tour with No. 142 Squadron, a Wellington unit.
He flew on targets in France such as Brest, Boulogne (twice) and Brest (four times), and in Germany, Cologne, Essen, Hamburg (twice) and Wilhelmshaven (thrice).
For his action in the "Channel Dash" on 12 February 1942 he won an immediate D.F.C.
In the early summer of 1942, he was posted to No. 460 Conversion Unit and was early 1943 posted at No. 460 (R.A.A.F.) Squadron, then a Halifax unit, but shortly to convert to Lancasters.
He stayed with No. 460 until the end of 1943, when he was appointed Chief Instructor at No. 1 Lancaster Finishing School at Hemswell and had then completed a total of 70 operational sorties.
He was killed in a flying accident on 8 April 1944, his Lancaster crashing at R.A.F. Caistor. The aircraft was burnt out and all the occupants killed.
Campling was buried in St. George’s Church in Denbighshire.

Promotions:
November 18th, 1939: Pilot Officer (probation)
March 17th, 1940: Pilot Officer
November 18th, 1940: Flying Officer
November 18th, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
February 1944: Squadron Leader (war sub)

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 142 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

March 3rd, 1942

Recommendation:
"On 12 February 1942, this officer was detailed as leader of a section of two aircraft to attack the German warships Gneisenau, Scharnhorst and Prinz Eugen.
After crossing the coast the aircraft accompanying Flight Lieutenant Campling returned to base with a defective turret, but using cloud cover Flight Lieutenant Campling proceeded to the target area alone. He successfully delivered an attack on the Scharnhorst from a height of 700 feet, having dived from 1200 feet. During the attack severe damage from flak was sustained to the port wing, elevator trimming tabs and the fuselage near the tail plane, causing control temporarily to be lost and the aircraft dived towards the sea. At 300 feet, before control had been fully regained, the aircraft was attacked by two Me. 109s.
The Rear Gunner was unable to retaliate due to damaged hydraulics and only by the greatest piloting skill was Flight Lieutenant Campling able to evade the fighters and keep the aircraft out of the sea. By flying low over the water the pilot prevented further interception and by first class airmanship brought the aircraft to its base where he affected a normal landing with his crew intact and uninjured.
Flight Lieutenant Campling has always shown a magnificent offensive spirit and by his own knowledge, skill and zeal maintains a high morale in his own crew and is an inspiring influence to all crews in the Squadron. His conduct cited above is held in great esteem by me and by his fellow pilots."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

June 2nd, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 460 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force

Awarded on:

July 27th, 1943

Recommendation:
"Squadron Leader Campling, D.F.C., has now completed a total of 11 operations in his second tour, bringing his total of operations over enemy territory to 47. This officer has at all times displayed a great keenness to operate, pressing home his attacks with determination and skill. During this tour Squadron Leader Campling has operated no less than four times against Berlin and has taken part in a low-level attack on Pilsen. This officer was greatly responsible for the conversion of this squadron, first to Halifaxes and then to Lancasters and has always been able to maintain a very high rate of serviceability in his fight, working unceasingly when called upon to do so and setting a fine example of determination. It is strongly felt that the service rendered by this officer merits the award of the Distinguished Service Order."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Victoria Owen
• - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35475 published on the 27 February 1942
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36033 published on the 28 May 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36108 published on the 23 July 1943
  - Dix Noonan Webb