"Hannah" AIR 2/5686 (18C)

CONFIDENTIAL. 18C

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HONOURS AND REWARDS.

Christian Name: - JOHN Surname : - HANNAH.

Rank : - Sergeant Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. Official Number : - 652918.

Group : - No. 5 Group. Unit : - No. 83 Squadron,

- No. 83 Squadron, R.A.F. Station, Scampton.

PARTICULARS OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE.

On the night of September 15/16th., Sergeant Hannah was the Wireless Operator/Air Gunner of an aircraft detailed to carry out operations on enemy barge concentrations at Antwerp.

After completing a successful attack on the target, his aircraft was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire, during the course of which the bomb compartment received a direct hit. A fire started and quickly enveloped the Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner's and Rear Gunner's cockpits. Both the port and starboard petrol tanks were also pierced, thus causing grave risk of fire spreading still further.

Sergeant Hannah succeeded in forcing his way through the fire in order to grab two extinguishers. He then discovered that the Rear Gunner was missing. Quite undaunted he fought the fire for 10 minutes, and when the fire extinguishers were exhausted he beat the flames with his log book. During this time, ammunition from the gunner's magazines was exploding in all directions. In spite of this and the fact that he was almost blinded by the intense heat and fumes, he succeeded in controlling and eventually putting out the fire. During the process of fighting the flames, he had turned on his oxygen to assist him in his efforts.

On instructions from his pilot, Sergeant Hannah then crawled forward to As certain if the navigator was alright, only to find that he also was missing. He informed his pilot and passed up the navigator's log and maps, stating that he was quite alright himself, in spite of burns and exhaustion from the heat and fumes.

An inspection of the aircraft reveals the conditions under which Sergeant Hannah was working. The sides of the fuselage were ripped away by enemy action and exploding bullets. Metal was distorted and the framework scorched by the intense heat. The two carrier pigeons were completed roasted. His own parachute was burned out.

During this operation, in which he received second degree burns to his face and eyes, Sergeant Hannah displayed outstanding coolness, courage and devotion to duty of the very highest order. By his action he not only saved the life of his pilot, but enabled his aircraft to be flown back safely to its base without any further damage.

Sergeant Hannah has completed a total of 74 hours flying as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner on 11 Operational flights against the enemy.

RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDED : - Strongly recommended for the immediate award of the Victoria Cross or E.G.M.

APPOINTMENT HELD : - Sergeant Wireless Operators/Air Gunner, No. 83 Squadron, R.A.F. Station, Scampton.

Signature of Commanding Officer : - Walmsley Rank : - Group Captain. Date: - 16th September 1940. Unit: - R.A.F. Station, Scampton.

COVERING REMARKS BY THE AIR OFFICER COMMANDING NO. 5 GROUP.

Recommended for the Victoria Cross. Remarks and Photography attached. A.T. Harris Air. V. Marshal 17.9.40