Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum  

Go Back   Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum > Discussion > Allied and Soviet Air Forces

Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19th July 2005, 08:40
Boris Boris is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Slovakia
Posts: 120
Boris
W/C John W Gillan, DFC & bar, AFC - KIA 29/8/1941

Hi all!
Does anyone know any details about the death of W/C John W Gillan, DFC and bar, AFC (called „Downwind“), former CO of 111 Squadron, who died on 29 August 1941 over Channel? Which Wing did he lead? What was the cause of his loss? Also any details about his 7 air victories would be of great help (date, type of e/c, location)…
When did he receive AFC and for what?

Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19th July 2005, 10:15
Fairlop's Avatar
Fairlop Fairlop is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Liberec, Czech republic
Posts: 574
Fairlop
Re: W/C John W Gillan, DFC & bar, AFC - KIA 29/8/1941

Hi Boris,

W/C John „Downwind“ Woodburn Gillan DFC and Bar, AFC
Service No: 26010
North Weald Wing Leader
S/d by Bf 109s (probably of III./JG 2) N of Dunkirk during early morning Circus 88 to railway yards in Hazebrouck, France. The North Weald Wing took part as Forward Support to six Blenheim IVs of No.139 Sqn.

Air Ministry, 9th September, 1941
Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross
This officer has led the wing on nineteen occasions since July, 1941, and his fine leadership and cool courage have been an inspiration to his fellow pilots throughput all operations. On three recent escort missions Wing Commander Gillan has displayed especial skill and determination. He has destroyed one and damaged another enemy aircraft.

Mentioned victories:
23/7/1941 one damaged Bf 109 during Circus 60
19/8/1941 one destroyed Bf 109 during Circus 82

I think the AFC had to bear to flight on 10 February 1938 when he flew his Hurricane from Turnhouse, Scotland to Northolt, covering 526 kilometers (327 miles) in 48 minutes. This gave an average speed of 658 KPH (409 MPH), and introduced the Hurricane to the British public with a splash of publicity.

Regards,
Michal
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20th July 2005, 10:13
Boris Boris is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Slovakia
Posts: 120
Boris
Re: W/C John W Gillan, DFC & bar, AFC - KIA 29/8/1941

Hi Michal.

Thanks for your great help. I suppose that Gillan claimed his other air-to-air victories during "French campain" in 1940. (Next step: I must see "Aces high" from Ch. Shores.)

"Letu zdar"
Boris
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20th July 2005, 18:35
Fairlop's Avatar
Fairlop Fairlop is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Liberec, Czech republic
Posts: 574
Fairlop
Re: W/C John W Gillan, DFC & bar, AFC - KIA 29/8/1941

Boris,

There´s no mention in Aces High.

Michal
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 8th July 2006, 13:00
Bruce Lander's Avatar
Bruce Lander Bruce Lander is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Lees, Oldham. UK
Posts: 438
Bruce Lander is on a distinguished road
Re: W/C John W Gillan, DFC & bar, AFC - KIA 29/8/1941

Hi
Gillan was commanding a Hampden squadron in 1939-40 period - I think it was 49 squadron , the RAF system of allocating leaders of fighter units was initially not based on special experience of fighter tactics etc but on seniority and general experience. Gillan had commanded 111 Squadron pre-War but had no fighter combat experience when he took command of the North Weald Wing in 1941 !
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Ju188 lost in France Eric Larger Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces 16 16th December 2011 00:47


All times are GMT +2. The time now is 13:19.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2018, 12oclockhigh.net