Re: P/O Crooks 28 may 40 226Sq ?
From Nick and Carol Carter's The Distinguished Flying Cross and How it was Won 1918-1995, page 387-8:
Crooks, David Alexander Cummings. PO. (40678). RAF. 226Sqn.
London Gazette: 25/6/1940:3863
Joint Citation with Sgt 580453 T.C.Davies. Awarded the DFM.
LAC 547790 W.R.J.Green. Awarded the DFM.
During a day in May, 1940, Pilot Officer Crooks carried out an extensive reconnaissance of the Amiens-Albert road with great determination and gallantry. At a low altitude, and under heavy fire from the ground, he bombed a large convoy of enemy armoured vehicles, obtaining direct hits with his bombs. Although his aircraft was hit by heavy pom-pom fire he succeeded in reaching his base. Sergeant Davies, an air observer, has been a member of Pilot Officer Crooks's crew on all missions, and has used his gun most effectively during low flying bombing attacks on convoys. He has also shown exceptional navigational ability under difficult conditions by day and night. As wireless operator, air gunner in Pilot Officer Crooks's aircraft, Leading Aircraftman Green has displayed considerable galantry in attacking ground targets from a low altitude with his rear gun. Pilot Officer Crooks and his crew have shown initiative and exceptional devotion to duty in many missions undertaken by night and under adverse weather conditions. They have pressed home their attacks, invariably from low altitudes, in site of enemy opposition from the ground and from the air.
Ian Tavender's The Distinguished Flying Medal Register for the Second World War, basically repeats the citation above for the two enlisted men.
Davies, Thomas Clifford
Green, William Reginald John.
Frank.
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