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Re: Wng Cdr C.W.M. Ling DFC
'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.
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Colin Ford
Canberra
Australia
No.268 Squadron Royal Air Force 1940-1946
Historian by Appointment
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28th May 2025, 02:55
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