Wills, John Fowler "Tubby"
- Date of birth:
- 1919 (Darley Dale/Derbyshire, Great Britain)
- Date of death:
- November 1950 (Hong Kong, United Kingdom)
- Service number:
- 80549.
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
John Wills enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1938. During the war he flew 28 operations with 40 Squadron from September 1940 to April 1941, including raids on Northern France, Belgium, the Rhineland and North Germany. Between February and April 1942 he flew a further six operations with 156 Squadron, including raids on Essen and Cologne which both saw Mills obliged to crash-land his damaged aircraft. With 105 Squadron he flew no fewer than 63 operations from November 1943 to August 1944 including raids on France and the Rhineland. In addition to his active service, Mills was also responsible for the initial air training of King Peter II of Yugoslavia. In November 1944 he arrived in China with the British Government’s military mission. Two years later he was placed on the Special Duties List/China and was Air Attaché at Nanking. He was killed in a car accident in Hong Kong, November 1950
Promotions:
June 15th, 1940: Pilot Officer (probation)
June 15th, 1941: Flying Officer (war sub)
June 15th, 1942: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
6 februari 1948: Squadron Leader
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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Lieutenant
- Unit:
- No. 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- May 8th, 1942
"One night in April, 1942, this officer was the pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne. Whilst over the target area the aircraft was hit by shell fire, causing a photographic flash to explode which completely denuded the air frame of fabric from the main plane to the rear turret. Other damage was sustained and the aircraft was forced down to a height of only 500 feet. Nevertheless Flight Lieutenant Wills, although deprived of wireless aid, decided to make the attempt to reach this country. During the return journey, his aircraft repeatedly came under fire from the ground defences but, displaying great perseverance and courage, he succeeded in flying the damaged aircraftto England and eventually made a safe landing with the under-carriage retracted. This officer has completed over 30 operational missions and has displayed persistent determination and outstanding courage."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Squadron Leader
- Unit:
- No. 105 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- August 15th, 1944
"This officer is an efficient and capable captain of aircraft, who has performed his duties with courage and coolness of a high order. Since the award of the D.F.C. he has completed a second tour of duty, achieving outstanding results. He has displayed courage, judgment and outstanding ability throughout his whole operational career."
Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35551 published on the 5 May 1942
- Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36656 published on the 11 August 1944
- Morton and Eden
- Flight Global - Archive
Photo
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