Wng Cdr C.W.M. Ling DFC

[BrianC]

Hi guys

He was credited with one victory and two shares.

Any information, please?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

26204 Christopher William Mitchell Ling got his DFC with 51 Sqn

[BrianC]

Hi

I believe that he flew Hurricanes earlier in the war.

Brian

[Chris Goss]

His DFC citation mentions this but nothing more. No combat reports for him at NA

[AUS_RAAF]

Hi Brian,

Not directly related to his claims although a few possible connections via google search.

Was with 4 SFTS at RAF Habbaniya in 1941 and later apparently commanded 268 Sqn RAF Apr to Jun 43 according to rafweb. I seem to recall some of 4 SFTS survivors served with 127 and 261 Sqn RAF so could be some leads in the ORBs.

Some personal photo albums.
https://www.dominicwinter.co.uk/Auct...ot=374918&sd=1

I haven’t checked, however, his name might appear in this diary.
https://storyofwar.com/background/c-...iraq-may-1941/

regards, Drew

[Chris Goss]

Something but not much here:


https://www.unithistories.com/office...icers_L01.html

[BrianC]

Thanks, Drew

Good to hear from you.

Thanks for sharing the diary entries. Most interesting. No mention of Larry Ling though, as you are no doubt aware. However, there is record of a CR42 shot down and two Italian aircraft destroyed on the ground, but Ling was apparently not involved.

So, back to square one!

Cheers
Brian

[BrianC]

Hi guys


On the RAF Officers site, I notice the entry ' 01.08.1941 seconded for special duty' I wonder what that entailed?

Brian

[Col Ford]

'Larry' Ling, was with 4SFTS at Habbaniya, but was leading 'C' Flight on the Audaxes doing dive bombing. On what was either his 3rd or 4th sortie of the first day attacking Iraqi positions on the escarpment overlooking the airfield he was hit by ground fire and seriously wounded - shot through both buttocks - and would see out the rest of the action in the Medical quarters at Habbaniya. After that he was 'seconded for special duty' which seems to be tied to the award by the Greek Government of a Greek Air Force Cross notified in December 1942. Given his previous role as an instructor, may have been related to establishment of Hellenic Air Force in exile in Egypt. During his short stay with 268 in 1943 he did not fly operationally with the Squadron as due to his height - well over 6ft in old scale - he could not safely fit in the cockpit of the Mustang I the squadron was equipped with at the time. As a result was posted out and over to Bomber Command. During his short stay with 268 he was medically grounded twice for bouts of malaria, something he had apparently picked up during his service in the Middle East.

[BrianC]

Many thanks, Col

Not 268 Squadron, then.

Remains a mystery!

Cheers
Brian