View Full Version : Flt Lt Wilfred 'Johnny' Johnson RAF DFC
chevvron
27th Aug 2019, 16:37
Article in the Daily Mail today 27 Aug.
He was Boris's grandad and was awarded the DFC after attempting to land back at Chivenor in a Wellington of Coastal Command following engine failure after taking off on a night patrol with a full load of depth charges.
MPN11
27th Aug 2019, 18:34
Bit more detail here >>> https://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/raf-chivenor-air-crash-exhibition-johnson-1-5957154
More like an AFC to me, but what do I know. Bad luck for all on board, though.
sharpend
27th Aug 2019, 20:20
Nope, that is not an AFC. How do I know?
megan
28th Aug 2019, 00:32
More like an AFC to me, but what do I knowNothing? But you could be colour blind :p
AFC - red & white
DFC - blue & white
MPN11
28th Aug 2019, 09:25
Sorry, I expressed myself very badly. I mean that it didn't seem like a DFC-earning event. "... exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy in the air." as the enemy were not directly involved.
However, having refreshed my head, an AFC wouldn't have been quite right anyway. "... gallantry while flying but not on active operations against the enemy."
chevvron
28th Aug 2019, 10:29
Can't help myself; I have to ask 'what did Corbyn's grandad do during the war'?
Can't help myself; I have to ask 'what did Corbyn's grandad do during the war'? stand on a platform with Adolf???????:E
chevvron
28th Aug 2019, 12:07
stand on a platform with Adolf???????:E
More likely with Josefhttps://www.pprune.org/images/icons/46.gif.
Dave Gittins
28th Aug 2019, 12:11
That's a DFC .. my Uncle had one.
MPN11
28th Aug 2019, 14:22
That's a DFC .. my Uncle had one.
Yes, we know. See my post #5 ...
MPN11
28th Aug 2019, 14:23
Can't help myself; I have to ask 'what did Corbyn's grandad do during the war'?
The Great War? ;)
megan
29th Aug 2019, 00:15
Sorry, I expressed myself very badly. I mean that it didn't seem like a DFC-earning event. "... exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy in the airMPN, I know a number of folks who were awarded the Imperial DFC for similar events in theatres of combat, and the enemy didn't have the capability to mount airborne operations. No idea what the official guidelines are re awarding of such, the Gazette says re DFC, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy". I would deem taking off with a load of depth charges as an active operation against the enemy.
Old-Duffer
1st Sep 2019, 06:33
111579 F/L Wilfred Johnson 172 Sqn London Gazette 6 Feb 45 and its definitely a DFC. I doubt if this was for the single act of bringing his Wellington back, unless he had been involved in an action first. It looks like a 'non immediate' award, possibly at the end of his tour as there is no citation immediately available, which is often the case if awarded for a specific act.
Where's TTN when you need him!!
Old Duffer
ACW418
1st Sep 2019, 15:07
Sharpend,
Cos you got one! AFC that is.
ACW
The RAAF Huey squadron in Vietnam earned a total of 32 DFC's over a period of 5.5 years, the first two years with a fleet of eight aircraft, then sixteen. One pilot received the DFC for pulling off a forced landing into mangroves following a non combat related engine failure (compressor let go). Aircraft was lying on its side in the mangroves, recovered and back on line two days later. Not unlike the Wellington spoken of.