Phillips, Eric John

Service number:: 1389228 (NCO)/130236 (Officer)
Nationality:: British

Biography

Eric John Phillips, a rear-gunner wounded and the claimer of a ME410 on the night preceding D-Day flew on 51 operations.

Promotions:
? Sergeant
26 september 1942: Pilot officer on Probation (emergency)
26 maart 1943: Flying Officer (war sub)
26 juni 1945: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flying Officer
Unit:: No. 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: October 15th, 1943

Citation:
"One night in July 1943, these officers were rear gunner (Phillips) and pilot (Gabel) respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack a target in the Ruhr. During the operation the aircraft was hit by cannon fire from a fighter. The rear turret was rendered unserviceable and Flying Officer Phillips was wounded in the face and chest. One of the bomber’s engines had caught fire and Pilot Officer Gabel tried to feather the propeller. He was unable to do so, however, and the situation became serious. Suddenly the propeller fell away and the flames in the burning engine died away. Displaying great skill and tenacity, Pilot Officer Gabel battled on to eventually reach base. In spite of his injuries, Flying Officer Phillips displayed great fortitude and devotion to duty and remained on watch in the astro-hatch throughout the return flight. On a later occasion Pilot Officer Gabel flew his aircraft from Turin with one engine useless. This officer has displayed skill, courage and coolness of a high order."