Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 12 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

June 11th, 1940

Citation:
“Flying Officer Garland was the pilot and Sergeant Gray the observer of the leading aircraft of a formation of five aircraft that attacked a bridge over the Albert Canal which had not been destroyed and was allowing the enemy to advance into Belgium. All the aircrews of the squadron concerned volunteered for the operation and, after five crews had been selected by drawing lots, the attack was delivered at low altitude against this vital target. Orders were issued that this bridge was to be destroyed at all costs. As had been anticipated, exceptionally intense machine gun and anti-aircraft fire was encountered, and the bridge area was heavily protected by enemy fighters. In spite of this the formation successfully delivered a dive bombing attack from the lowest practicable altitude and British fighters in the vicinity reported that the target was obscured by the bombs bursting on it and in its vicinity. Only one aricraft returned from this mission out of the five concerned. The pilot of this aircraft reports that in addition to the extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire, through which our aircraft dived to attack the objective, they were also attacked by a large number of enemy fighters after they had released their bombs on the target. Much of the success of this vital operation must be attributed to the formation leader; Flying Officer Garland, and the coolness and resource of Sergeant Gray, who navigated Flying Office Garland’s aircraft under most difficult conditions in such a manner that the whole formation was able succesfully to attack the target in spite of subsequent heavy losses. Flying Officer Garland and Sergeant Gray unfortunately failed to return from the mission.”

Flying Officer Garland’s Victoria Cross is publicly displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, United Kingdom.

Concerning the death of Garland there’re several versions. Some sources mention that he crashed down in the place of Lanaken, Belgium. Other sources mention that he died after his action in a hospital in Maastricht. The 3rd crew member did not become distinguishes, because he did not play a decisive role during this action.