Robinson, Basil Vernon

Date of birth:: 1912 (Gateshead/Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom)
Date of death:: August 23rd, 1943 (Berlin, Germany)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Cemetery Berlin
Plot: 5. Row: L. Grave: 11.
Nationality:: British

Biography

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Wing Commander
Unit:: No. 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: July 18th, 1941

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Wing Commander
Unit:: No. 35 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: January 9th, 1942

"One day in December, 1941, a strong force of Bomber aircraft carried out a determined attack on the German warships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst at Brest. The operation was carried out in the face of extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire and determined attacks by enemy fighters. Nevertheless the air crews engaged pressed home their attacks to the utmost and-succeeded in scoring hits on their objectives. Several enemy aircraft were shot down. The success of the operation, which demanded the highest degree of skill and courage, reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of the following officers and airmen who participated in various capacities as leaders and members of aircraft crew."

Air Force Cross (AFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Wing Commander
Unit:: No. 35 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: January 1st, 1943

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Wing Commander
Unit:: No. 35 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: January 9th, 1943

"One night in November, 1942, during an operational sortie against Turin, this officer displayed great gallantry and determination when a dangerous fire broke out in his aircraft. Owing to the intensity of the names and smoke which filled the cockpit, Wing Commander Robinson saw no hope of bringing the fire under control, and therefore ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft. While preparing to follow them himself, the fire abated. Undeterred by the difficulty of the flight which involved crossing the Alps and flying many hundreds of miles over enemy occupied territory, Wing Commander Robinson continued alone, completed the return journey, and landed his large 4 engined aircraft successfully in this country despite very adverse weather, accomplishing a most praiseworthy and skilful feat of airmanship."

Second DFC received as bar