Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

March 27th, 1945

Recommendation:
"Flying Officer Souter has completed 28 successful sorties comprising 168 hours of operational flying including many attacks on German targets such as Stettin, Darmstadt (twice), Koenigsburg (twice), Wilhelmshaven, Bremen, Dusseldorf and Hamburg,
On the night of the 19/20 September 1944, after a successful attack on Rheydt, on the homeward journey, Flying Officer Souter's aircraft was attacked by an enemy night fighter which resulted in extensive damage to both fins and rudders of his aircraft. By skilful handling of his aircraft and despite the damage sustained, the enemy aircraft was engaged, damaged and driven off. Flying Officer Souter then flew his aircraft back to base and landed it safely.
Again, when attacking the Dortmund-Ems Canal on the night of 6/7th November 1944, Flying Officer Souter's aircraft was hit by heavy flak whilst on the bombing run. Undeterred, Flying Officer Souter held steadily on to the target and attacked it successfully. On the return journey, it was found that both GEE and Wireless Telephone had been put out of commission and that the fuselage was holed by flak, but Flying Officer Souter successfully flew back to this country on D/R Navigation and landed safely.
Flying Officer Souter has at all times shown a cheerful disregard for danger, coupled with calm courage and a high degree of skill as a pilot and captain of aircraft. His skill, determination and resource have been an inspiration to his fellow pilots and to his squadron. He is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

Newspaper article:
Flying Officer Don Souter was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for an action over Germany in September 1944 when his bomber was attacked by an enemy fighter. He engaged the enemy, drove him off and flew his badly damaged aircraft back to base.
(Calgary Herald.)
LG 37001/1657.