• Handley Page HP.52 Hampden

Date of birth:

1911

Service number:

155498

Nationality:

British

Ivor Mapp was born in the Preston area of Lancashire in 1911. He was involved in a number of Hampden mishaps, he force-landed Hampden L4120 on 16th December 1940 at Finningley, crashed Hampden P4314 at Finningley on 3rd January 1941 and Hampden AE229 near Lincoln on 30th August 1941 with 50 Squadron. The most serious was when Hampden AE394 crashed on Haley's Terrace in York in February 1942 when all crew members but Mapp were killed. Even though Mapp ordered the crew to bail out two were unable to because if frozen hatches and the other was also killed when his parachute failed to deploy properly.
Mapp also participated in the British resonse to the Channel Dash, attacking the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau on February 12, 1942.
Following WW2 he travelled to Africa and India returning to the UK in 1965. He worked as a primary school teacher in the east end of London for some time but was involved in a motor cycle accident and was quite badly injured. After a long recovery period he retired to the East Anglia area.

Promotions:
? Warrant Officer
26 April, 1943: Pilot Officer on Probation (emergency)
26 October, 1943: Flying Officer on Probation (war sub)
26 April, 1945: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
10 April, 1956: Commission relinquished

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 57 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

August 15th, 1944

Citation:
"This officer has completed 2 tours of operational duty, during which he has taken part in attacks against many of the enemy's most vital and strongly defended targets. In April, 1943, he was detailed for an attack against Stuttgart. While over the target his aircraft was illuminated by searchlights for some 5,5 minutes but bt fine airmanship he evaded the heavy anti-aircraft fire and returned safely to base. Another time, shortly after taking off, engine trouble developped in his aircraft; nevertheless with great determination Flying Officer Mapp flew on and successfully bombed his target at Duisburg. At all times this officer has displayed a fine fighting spirit, courage and devotion to duty

• Photo 1: Gordon Ivor Waddilove
• - The London Gazette Publication date:17 September 1943 Issue:36178Page:4178
  - The London Gazette Publication date:21 December 1943 Issue:36299Page:559
  - The London Gazette Publication date:11 August 1944 Issue:36656Page:3773
  - The London Gazette Publication date:15 May 1945 Issue:37083Page:2571
  - The London Gazette Publication date:29 June 1956 Issue:40820Page:3877
  - Aircraft Accidents in Yorkshire
  - Gordon Ivor Waddilove