Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

The outstanding Second War ‘V.C. Action’ immediate D.F.M. group of five awarded to Stirling rear gunner, Warrant Officer H. W. ‘Pete’ Gough, 149 (East India) Squadron, Royal Air Force - awarded for his gallantry during the raid on the Fiat Works, Turin, 28 November 1942 - when all the crew were valiant, and his pilot Flight Sergeant R. H. Middleton was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Gough had already flown 32 operational sorties prior to Turin, completing his 30 operation quota, but had decided along with another crew member in a similar position to remain with their pilot until his tour of duty was completed. What followed were two epic flights over, or in their case through, the Alps in an already faulty aircraft that subsequently became riddled with flak and piloted by two gravely wounded men. Gough along with the remainder of his crew baled out over England, thanks to the heroics of Middleton. Gough was unflappable, and no stranger to adversity - his first two operational sorties having been the first Thousand Bomber Raids to Cologne and Essen, earlier in the year. Perhaps it is no surprise then that after the death of his skipper and two other members of the crew, he volunteered to serve with 161 Squadron - a ‘Secret Squadron.’ He flew as an air gunner in Hudsons on at least 24 operational sorties with the Squadron, dropping agents and supplies all over occupied Europe. Gough was forced to bale out again, when on his last operational sortie of the war, 11 April 1945. Returning from a Special Operation to Germany - his Log Book records the incident thus - ‘(Baled - Out). All In The Days Work’ Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1130087. Sgt. H. W. Gough. R.A.F.) suspension claw re-pinned, and slack; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted on card for display, otherwise generally very fine or better (5) £6,000-£8,000 --- D.F.M. London Gazette 12 February 1943 (jointly listed with the surviving members of the crew: Flight Sergeant L. A. Hyder [D.F.M.]; Flight Sergeant D. Cameron [D.F.M.]; Flying Officer G. R. Royde [D.F.C.] and Pilot Officer N. E. Skinner [D.F.C.]): ‘On 28th November 1942, these members of an aircraft crew took part in an attack on a target in Turin. Whilst over the target area, their bomber was repeatedly hit by anti-aircraft fire and sustained much damage. A shell, which burst in the cockpit, rendered the captain, the late Flight Sergeant Middleton, VC unconscious and wounded the second pilot Flight Sergeant Hyder in the face and legs. Pilot Officer Skinner was also wounded in the leg. Despite his injuries Flight Sergeant Hyder took over the controls and succeeded in regaining control of the aircraft, which had dived from 2,000 to 800 feet. Later the bomb load was released. Shortly afterwards the captain regained consciousness, but Flight Sergeant Hyder, after receiving first aid, insisted on remaining beside him in case of emergency. On the return flight when crossing the Alps, Flight Sergeant Cameron and Sergeant Gough greatly assisted the pilot to maintain height by jettisoning all moveable equipment. Skilful navigation by Flying Officer Royde enabled the aircraft to be flown back to this country. Shortly after crossing the coast the aircraft had to be abandoned owing to lack of petrol. In the face of almost insuperable odds, these members of the aircraft crew displayed courage, fortitude, and determination of a high order.’ Middleton’s V.C. citation London Gazette 15 January 1943, adds further context: ‘Flight Sergeant Middleton was captain and first pilot of a Stirling aircraft detailed to attack the Fiat Works at Turin one night in November, 1942. Great difficulty was experienced in climbing to 12,000 feet to cross the Alps, which led to excessive consumption of fuel. So dark was the night that the mountain peaks were almost invisible. During the crossing Flight Sergeant Middleton had to decide whether to proceed or turn back, there being barley sufficient fuel for the return journey. Flares were sighted ahead and he continued the mission and even dived to 2,000 feet to identify the target, despite the difficulty of regaining height. Three flights were made over Turin at this low altitude before the target was identified. The aircraft was then subjected to fire from light anti-aircraft guns. A large hole appeared in the port main plane which made it difficult to maintain lateral control. A shell then burst in the cockpit, shattering the windscreen and wounding both pilots. Apiece of shell splinter tore into the side of Flight Sergeant Middleton´s face, destroying his right eye and exposing the bone over his eye. He was probably wounded also in the body or legs. The second pilot received wounds in the head and both legs bled profusely. The wireless operator was also wounded in the leg. Flight Sergeant Middleton became unconscious and the aircraft dived to 800 feet before control was regained by the second pilot, who took the aircraft up to 1500 feet and released the bombs. There was still light flak, some very intense, and the aircraft was hit many times. The three gunners replied continuously until the rear turret was put out of action. Flight Sergeant Middleton had now recovered consciousness and, when clear of the target, ordered the second pilot back to receive first aid. Before this was completed the latter insisted on returning to the cockpit, as the captain could see very little and could only speak with loss of blood and great pain. Course was set for base and the crew now faced an Alpine crossing and a homeward flight in a damaged aircraft, with insufficient fuel. The possibilities of abandoning the air-craft or landing in Northern France were discussed but Flight Sergeant Middleton expressed the intention of trying to make the English coast, so that his crew could leave the aircraft by parachute. Owing to his wounds and diminishing strength, he knew that, by then, he would have little or no chance of saving himself. After four hours, the French coast was reached and here the aircraft, flying at 6,000 feet, was once more engaged and hit by intense light anti-aircraft fire. Flight Sergeant Middleton was still at the controls and mustered sufficient strength to take evasive action. After crossing the Channel there was only sufficient fuel for 5 minutes flying. Flight Sergeant Middleton ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft while he flew parallel with the coast for a few miles, after which he intended to head out to sea. Five of the crew left the aircraft safely, while two remained to assist Flight Sergeant Middleton. The aircraft crashed in the sea and the bodies of the front gunner and flight engineer were recovered the following day. Their gallant captain was apparently unable to leave the aircraft and his body has not been traced. Flight Sergeant Middleton was determined to attack the target regardless of the consequences and not to allow his crew to fall into enemy hands. While all the crew displayed heroism of a high order, the urge to do so came from Flight Sergeant Middleton, whose fortitude and strength of will made possible the completion of the mission. His devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds is unsurpassed in the annals of the Royal Air Force.’ Gough’s original recommendation states: ‘Sergeant Gough has completed 32 sorties with this squadron as a rear gunner. These include no less than ten sorties against targets in the Ruhr district and four against Italian targets in Genoa and Turin. On his last trip with this squadron, he was detailed with his crew to carry out a low-level attack against the Fiat works to the South of Turin. The aircraft was heav...