Date of birth:

January 19th, 1919 (Lillehammer, Norway)

Date of death:

January 1953

Service number:

N1086

Nationality:

Norwegian

Before the war Eik Haabjorn had studied engineering in Darmstadt. At the outbreak of war he was a pupil pilot with the Norwegian Air Force. He was evacuated to Sweden where he was interned but managed to escape to the north and to board the HMS Devonshire with other Norwegians.
He underwent further training in Canada in 'Little Norway' and was posted to No. 311 Squadron in August 1941 but then was transferred rapidly to a number of other units (sqns 332, 56 and 609) In August 1943 he was pomoted to command No. 247 Squadron and subsequently promoted again to Wing Commander early 1944 to lead 124 Wing. In May 1944 he was forced to leave his plane over the North Sea twice and was rescued twice from the water.
After the war her remained in the Norwegian Air Force but relinquished his commission because he disliked the desk work involved. He then stared working as a free lancer with various airlines, then forming his own company to ferry aircraft all over the world. He was lost during one such flight from Goose Bay, Canada to Bluie West One, Greenland.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 10th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Wing Commander

Unit:

No. 142 Wing, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

June 5th, 1944

Citation:
"On 22nd May 1944, despite fierce opposition, Wing Commander Haabjorn led an attack against a special target in Dieppe. Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has completed a further 85 sorties in several of which he has had trying experiences. Wing Commander Haabjorn's consistently high standard of skill and devotion has been most praiseworthy."

Award approved 5 June 1944. Citation in Public Record Office Air 2/12419.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1944

• - SHORES, CH., Those Other Eagles, Grub Street, London, 2004.
  - 609 (WR) Squadron
  - Krigskorset