Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Warrant Officer

Unit:

No. 578 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 578 Squadron, Royal Air Force)

Awarded on:

October 17th, 1944

Recommendation:
"Warrant Officer Pope has completed on this tour of operations 17 sorties totalling 80.47 hours including attacks upon targets in such heavily defended areas as STUTTGART, DUSSELDORF and KARLSRUHE.
Warrant Officer Pope has had a long and varied career as an Air Gunner since het joined the Royal Air Force in April 1931. He flew in Great Britain and India during the years 1932-5, and carried out thirteen sorties in Audax aircraft during the 1936/7 Waziristan campaign. At the outbreak of war he was a Gunnery Instructor in this country and in September 1939 he volunteered for operations and carried out the first Ant-Submarine Patrol on 9th March, 1940 in a Belnheim aircraft. He continued until June 1940 taking part in a total of 81 operations which included sector sorties, reconnaissances upon the Norwegian coast and Sylt, and the escorting of convoys. During the evacuation of Dunkirk he carried out many fighter sorties over the Channel Coast area from Calais to Cherbourg. From August 1941 to January 1942 in Defiant, Havoc and Blenheim aircraft he took part in sorties upon targets on the Dutch and French coasts.
In February 1944 he commenced his present tour op operations in Halifax aircraft. His long experience and technical knowledge combined with practical skill had made him an outstanding gunner and he quickly adapted himself to night bomber technique, proving himself supremely courageous and determined, seeking every opportunity of attacking the enemy. He appers to have limitless energy, never relaxing for one moment his vigilance when in the air. He is extremely cool in an emergency and his aggressive attitude towards the enemy, combined with a remakable ability to make instant and well-judged decisions in a crisis have more than once resulted in an attack being successfully pressed home in the face of strong fighter opposition.
In addition to Warrant Officer Pope's splendid operational record he has given long and valuable service as an instructor, particularly during his present tour when he has taken an important and constructive part in the working of his Section. He has shown a close intrest in the welfare of his comrades, giving them the benefit of his extensive knowledge and experience and taking infinitive pains to ensure that they are operationally fit.
Warrant Officer Pope's many years of active service, during which he has completed a grand total of 105 operations, have not dimmed this outstanding gunner's enthousiasm for his work; one of his most notable characteristics is his deep sense of loyalty for the Service, setting an example worthy of the highes praise.
It is strongly recommended that Warrant Officer Pope's devotion to duty and long operational record should be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

LG 36750/4751.