Hi there,
Although F/S Smith's position in the crew matrix referring to the loss of Lancaster R5604 in W.R.Chorley's book 'Bomber Command Losses' for 1942 is that usually occupied by the Air Bomber,the citation for his D.F.M. lists him as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner.From Ian Tavender's The Distinguished Flying Medal Register:Second World War, Volume Two,page 669;
SMITH,Arnold George.651289 Sergeant,No.49 Sqn.
L.G.12/11/1941.Sorties31,Flying hours 202.W.Op/Air Gnr.AIR2/9334.
'Sergeant Smith has completed 202 hours operational flying,involving 31 flights over enemy or enemy occupied territory.During these flights,a variety of targets was attacked including Berlin,Bremen,Mannheim etc.Sergeant Smith has flown with a number of Captains and it is significant that his work in the air has been frequently mentioned in the Captains'personal experience reports.The following are instances:-
28/3/41. Dusseldorf 'Wireless excellent throughout the whole trip.Loop
bearings and homing beacons were found
particularly useful.'
30/3/41. Mining. 'Wireless excellent'
13/5/41. Mannheim. 'Wireless aids used to rectify error in navigation due to
wind.'
26/5/41. Brest
Mining. 'Wireless Operator deserves all praise for a magnificent
piece of work.We obtained bearings,fixes and many
Q.D.M.'s without which the trip would probably have
ended in disaster.'
11/6/41. Brest 'The 21 loop bearings obtained were extremely
useful.'
On the night of 23 June 1941,when on a sortie against Bremen,the aircraft in which Sergeant Smith was flying was caught in searchlights over the Frisian Islands.Sergeant Smith observed an enemy fighter closing in to attack.Having held his fire until it was well within range,he fired 200 rounds into the enemy aircraft which was observed by all members of the crew to break up and fall in flames.Throughout his tour of duty with the squadron,Sergeant Smith has shown exceptional keenness for operational flying and great skill and determination in the execution of his duties.His excellent example has had a most beneficial effect on the other N.C.O.s in the squadron.'
Incidentally,his pilot on the night of 31/7-1/8/42 was W/O Peter Ernest Merralls,who had also received a D.F.M. for a first tour with 49 Sqn. in 1941 and was to receive a D.F.C.with effect from 20/7/42,gazetted 27/7/43.
Hope this is of interest,
Regards,Mark Simpson,
