Rooney, Robert William Stanislaus

Date of birth:: April 26th, 1922 (Waverly/New South Wales, Australia)
Service number:: 405390
Nationality:: Australian

Biography

Before the war Robert Rooney was a wool classer, living in Strathfield and enlisting in Sydney 31/3/1941. Pilot Qualified 18/9/1941. Pilot/Sergeant 13/5/1942. Pilot Officer, 19/3/1943. Flying Officer 19/2/1944. Appointment terminated 12/7/1945 (Permanently Medically Unfit).
Rooney was the 2nd pilot, of Halifax DT. 791 which was returning from a raid on Pilsen 17/4/1943 and which crashed in Lewes, Sussex, after flying on only two engines on one wing (the other two having been shot up by flak). The whole crew survived and various statements show the crew saved countless lives by not earlier bailing out as the crash occured within a short distance of the outlying houses of the town. Rooney was hospitalised with head wounds and concussion as a result.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:: No. 578 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: October 6th, 1944

Citation:
"This officer has participated in very many sorties and his determination to complete his missions has been outstanding. One night in August, 1944, he was the pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack Nuremberg. When leaving the target the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. One engine was put out of action and the elevator controls were damaged, making the bomber difficult to control. Afterwards, the aircraft twice attacked by fighters. Although the intercommunication system to the rear turret had been severed, this pilot and his gunners co-operated well by other means and the fighters were evaded. Flight Lieutenant Rooney then flew his damaged aircraft safely to base. This officer is a brave and resourceful captain whose example has greatly inspired his crew."