Date of birth:

1916 (Rugby/Warwickshire, Great Britain)

Service number:

132993

Nationality:

British

When studying at Cheltenham College Norman Fleet was a member of the Rugby Air Defence Cadet Corps from December 1938,
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force in July 1941, and commenced training as a Navigator. After he qualified he was posted to No. 604 Squadron where Wing Commander John "Cat’s Eyes" Cunningham was Commanding Officer.
Fleet teamed up with Pilot Officer Jim Lomas as his full time pilot
Rested as a Radar Instructor at a Conversion Unit from November 1943, Fleet and Lomas returned to an operational footing with No. 25 Squadron, a Mosquito unit, in the summer of 1944, and were quickly employed on numerous V1 patrols over the North Sea,
Fleet and Lomas continued to fly as a team until the end of hostilities.

Promotions:
? Sergeant
13 September, 1942: Pilot officer on Probation (emergency)
16 March, 1943: Flying Officer on Probation (war sub)
16 September, 1944: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 25 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

April 17th, 1945

Recommendation:
"Flight Lieutenant Fleet, as navigator, has taken part in a large number of operational sorties. On one occasion, in August 1944, while flying a patrol he engaged two enemy aircraft in air combat and destroyed one, and probably destroyed the other. Now on his second tour of duty, this officer has completed many anti-flying bomb patrols over the North Sea, during which he has destroyed a Heinkel 111 and one flying bomb. More recently he has taken part in high level patrols in support of bomber aircraft. In February 1945, he attacked and destroyed a Heinkel 219, bringing his total victories to at least three enemy aircraft destroyed. During this engagement his aircraft was damaged from debris from the Heinkel. The port engine was rendered useless, but despite this an emergency landing in Brussels was accomplished. At all times this officer has shown courage, ability and a fine fighting spirit."

• - Page 5219 | Supplement 35804, 27 November 1942 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 2053 | Supplement 36004, 4 May 1943 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 4581 | Supplement 36732, 3 October 1944 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - The London Gazette Publication date:13 April 1945 Supplement:37036Page:2026
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