Alvin Thomas Williams

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WILLIAMS, F/L Alvin Thomas (40276) - Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 6 August 1940.

Flight Lieutenant Williams through his leadership, determination and patience, set a high example to his flight and squadron. During two patrols as section leader, in company with one other aircraft, he successfully brought to action and destroyed one Ju.88 and three He.111. On a third patrol he destroyed single handed a fourth He.111, demonstrating that it was possible to overcome the limitation of inferior speed with a Gladiator in combat with faster hostile aircraft by superior handling and tactics. In addition, this pilot took off and twice landed his aircraft on an aircraft carrier without arrester gear.

This was further refined for Air Ministry Honours and Awards Committee; in the text that follows, the italicized words had been marked with a notation, "cut out":

This officer has set a high example of leadership, determination and patience. During two patrols, as section leader, in company with one other aircraft, he successfully brought to action and destroyed one Ju.88 and three He.111s. On a third patrol he destroyed, single handed, another He.111, demonstrating that it was possible to overcome the limitation of lesser speed with a Gladiator in combat with faster hostile aircraft by his superior handling and tactics. On two occasion this pilot took off and twice landed his aircraft on an aircraft carrier successfully without arrester gear.

Public Records Office Air 2/4571 has recommendation dated 18 June 1940

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Victories Include :

Convert unconfirmed to probable as per (12 August 1940 RAF change in policy) and his score is

3.5 / 1.5 / 0

* Shores says Do17F

Notes compiled by W/C F.H. Hitchins describe the following victories:

26 May - shared in the destruction of a Ju.88 that was bombing Skaanland (it fell into sea in pieces, burning).

28 May - destroyed a He.111 that was bombing a cruiser at Ofot fiord, west of Narvik; enemy aircraft last seen on fire over hostile territory.

29 May - attacked several motor cars, rail line near Hundalen.

2 June - with Sergeant Herbert Horatio Kitchener, attacked 12-15 enemy aircraft south of Narvik. Together they set fire to the first He.111 (crashed, set fire to a second, and sent down a third with both engines out of action. Later they both set fire to a Ju.87 which was seen to crash in mountains (recommendation differs).

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More details over at the BiPlane aces site here

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