Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 74 (Trinidad) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

February 27th, 1945

Recommendation:
"Flight Lieutenant T.H. Bates has completed 240 operational sorties, of these 100 were done from Malta during 1941 to 1942 when the air opposition was very strong. In July, 1943 Flight Lieutenant Bates, flying a Hurricane IIB, took part in an operation from a Base in the Western Desert to Crete and return, which entailed a sea flight of approximately 500 miles at low level. On this trip Flight Lieutenant Bates destroyed a truck, which was full of enemy troops, and straffed other motor transport and the German Headquarters on the Island. During the Aegean campaign, September to October 1943 he took part in the invasion of Cos; during his last patrol from Cos the aerodrome was made unserviceable through bombing and he carried out a successful landing on the Salt Pans, which was only 10 yards wide in places. When the Island was invaded by the Germans he mad a successful getaway in a launch. Since June this year he has completed a further 100 operational sorties – bombing, straffing, sweeps & etc. – in which he has helped in the destruction of enemy Headquarters, gun-pits and defended positions, which at times has entailed flying through very concentrated flak. He has destroyed 1 enemy aircraft, damaged another and destroyed at least 10 motor transport."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With "FRANCE AND GERMANY" clasp.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With NORTH AFRICA 1942-43" clasp.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)