Jacobs, Henry "Jake"
- Date of birth:
- April 1907 (Great Yarmouth/Norfolk, Great Britain)
- Date of death:
- October 9th, 1978
- Service number:
- 78685
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
Henry Jacobs was granted a direct-entry commission to the RAF as an Air Gunner in February 1940. He completed his training and joined 264 Squadron, operating Defiants, in June 1940. He moved soon afterwards to 600 Squadron, operating from Northolt with Blenheims in the night-fighting role.
With one credited victory Jacobs was posted to 219 Squadron in early October 1940.
During his appointed as Chief Special Signals Instructor at 51 OTU Cranfield he met Bob Braham with whom he would develop a close cooperation in flying together and working on developing radar interception techniques
After a spell at No. 488 NZ Squadron his next posting came to 141 Special Duties Nightfighter Squadron in August 1943. He teamed up once more with Braham with whom he would claim more aerial victories even over German night-figter aces such as August Geiger (53 victories), Heinz Finke (54 victories) and Georg Kraft (14 victories).
In August 1944 Jacobs joined 1508 Radar Flight, the first of two or three instructional postings that culminated with his appointment to the Tactics Staff of the CFE in July 1945. In this posting he flew in all weather with over 60 different crews. For this work Jacobs was awarded the AFC.
He served post-war in the RAF, retiring on 29th December 1958 as a Squadron Leader.
He was also decorated with the General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, S.E. Asia 1945-46, Malaya.
Promotions:
February 1940: Acting Pilot Officer (probation)
June 9th, 1940: Pilot Officer (probation)
May 29th, 1941: Flying Officer (war sub)
May 29th, 1942: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
December 8th, 1947:Appointment as Flight Lieutenant, extended service (four years on the active list) and transferred to the Aircraft Control Branch
November 8th, 1848: Flight Lieutenant (permanent)
July 1st, 1952: Squadron Leader
December 29th, 1958: retirement
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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Lieutenant
- Awarded on:
- October 9th, 1942
"I have the honour to bring to your notice the distinguished flying conduct of Flight Lieutenant Jacobs who is the Chief Special Signals Instructor at No. 51 Operational Training Unit, Cranfield.
In order to obtain first hand information as to the operational conditions of the Mark VII Special Signals apparatus he obtained permission to be attached to this Squadron [No. 29] for 14 days. On his second trip with this apparatus on 24 August 1942, by his expert and accurate instructions, he enabled his pilot to obtain a visual on an enemy aircraft at a low altitude. This aircraft is claimed as damaged.
Four days later, while on patrol on an exceedingly dark night, his directions were so accurate and gave his pilot such confidence that he was able to locate an enemy aircraft at sea-level and destroy it. Later the same night, he carried out a second patrol with the same pilot, and, in similar circumstances, enabled his pilot to locate and attack an enemy aircraft which is claimed damaged. Return fire was experienced and the pilot was compelled to return on one engine. At the time, the aircraft was some way out to sea and only a few feet above the surface. The starboard engine was on fire and the port engine was also defective. Flight Lieutenant Jacobs remained unperturbed and cheerful and his behaviour materially assisted his pilot to bring his damaged aircraft across the coast and make an emergency landing.
The keenness and example of Flight Lieutenant Jacobs during his short stay with the Squadron were an inspiration to the other Navigators/Radio of this unit.
On a previous operational tour of duty while an Air Gunner with another Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Jacobs assisted his pilot to destroy an enemy aircraft at night. It will be seen therefore that Flight Lieutenant Jacobs assisted in the destruction of two enemy aircraft, and the damage of two more.
In all the circumstances I strongly recommend that the question of submitting the name of Flight Lieutenant Jacobs to His Majesty the King for the award of the D.F.C. may be favourably considered."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Lieutenant
- Unit:
- No. 141 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- July 1944
"Flight Lieutenant Jacobs was posted to 141 Squadron, at the special request of Wing Commander J. R. D. Braham, on 3 August 1943. He came from 488 Squadron, where he was Navigator Radio Leader, with a very high reputation, and crewed up with Wing Commander Braham.
Although the normal period of special technical training required for this Squadron’s work is three weeks, Flight Lieutenant Jacobs showed such aptitude and skill that he was considered fully operational within eight days. In the specialised work of this Squadron, the Navigator Radio must not only possess a marked ability as a Navigator and as an A.I. Operator, for without his expert handling of special equipment the pilot would stand little or no chance of engaging an enemy aircraft
On 17 August 1943, Flight Lieutenant Jacobs brought Wing Commander Braham into visual range of an Me. 110, which was destroyed off Emden. Continuing the same patrol this crew destroyed another Me. 110 off Borkum.
During ensuing patrols Flight Lieutenant Jacobs repeatedly brought his pilot to visuals on enemy aircraft and on 27 September 1943, enabled his pilot, after a long chase, in which his ability and tenacity were of paramount importance, to destroy a Do. 217 West of Hanover.
On 29 September 1943, notwithstanding a great confusion of friendly and enemy aircraft in the area, he assisted Wing Commander Braham to destroy an Me. 110 over Zuider Zee and, ten minutes later, in the same area, they attacked and severely damaged a Ju. 88 which would certainly have been destroyed if the Beaufighter’s cannon had not jammed.
Flight Lieutenant Jacobs was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 28 September 1942, prior to which date he had been instrumental in destroying two enemy aircraft, probably destroying one enemy aircraft and damaging one other enemy aircraft, in addition to procuring many visuals on others. His scrore is now six enemy aircraft destroyed, one probably destroyed and two damaged.
Since joining 141 Squadron Flight Lieutenant Jacobs has set a fine standard of efficiency, keenness and steadfast application to duty, which has been an inspiring example to the rest of the Squadron.
In view of the foregoing it is recommended that Flight Lieutenant Jacobs be awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross."
Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC as per November 5th, 1943.
The recommendation was written by Bob Braham.
Te investiture took place in July 1944 ‘in the Field’ at Hartford Bridge.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Lieutenant
- Awarded on:
- April 3rd, 1945
"This officer is responsible for the navigation instruction to all complete crews and individual Navigators who operate G.H. in No. 2 Group. During the course of his instruction he has flown in all weathers and with more than 60 different crews. The success of the work is largely due to the example and high standard of instruction set by Flight Lieutenant Jacobs."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1:
- Photo: Battle of Britain London Monument
- - The London Gazette Issue 34881 published on the 25 June 1940
- The London Gazette Issue 34903 published on the 23 July 1940
- The London Gazette Issue 35222 published on the 18 July 1941
- The London Gazette Issue 35606 published on the 23 June 1942
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35736 published on the 6 October 1942
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36235 published on the 2 November 1943
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37012 published on the 30 March 1945
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38002 published on the 27 June 1947
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38264 published on the 16 April 1948
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38661 published on the 12 July 1949
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 39586 published on the 27 June 1952
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 41598 published on the 2 January 1959
- Dix Noonan Webb
- Battle of Britain London Monument
- Jewish Virtual Librabry
Photo
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