Winter 1941, the British Royal Air Force in the Soviet Union and Germany over the Nazi air force’s combat, which came from the exotic friendly eyes of the Soviet Union has therefore become a hero.
Request “Flame” to the “Hurricane”
June 1941 Soviet-German War broke out, the Soviet Army in the German army was beaten under a fierce assault by surprise. The face of unfavorable military situation, the Soviet Union needed weapons and supplies to prevent the advance of the Nazi heel. At that time, Stalin urged the British leader Winston Churchill to send the Royal Air Force, “Spitfire” fighter for support. However, as the British Royal Air Force at this time is the English Channel over the bitter fight with the Germans, they need advanced aircraft in order to maintain air superiority. However, in order to express to the Soviet Union, this new ally, the sincerity of coordinated operations, Churchill decided to send the final performance of the less fortunate, “Hurricane” fighters to be supported.
British Royal Air Force 151 Wing by section 81, p. 134 Squadron composition, in its wing comprises mainly coaches and technicians. They had received orders to implement the Murmansk naval base defense missions, while fighting with Soviet troops in the Murmansk region. Main task of training, the Soviet Union allied to master the use of such aircraft, and after the transfer of the aircraft to return. In fact, due to living in the Finnish Air Force against the German allies of range, they also undertake combat missions, escorting bombers to the Soviet Union closer to these goals, with the German fighter planes launched air and do our best to shoot down enemy planes.
August 12, 1941, p. 151 Fighter Wing of the first departure from Liverpool, in a small fleet escorted to the Soviet Union, the Bering Sea port of Archangel. At that time, board the “Lan Sidi Fenka Er” was the transport ship “Hurricane” A total of 16, were packed in wicker box, with deliveries also include all the necessary parts and kits. The second installment of “Hurricane” fighter, a total of 24, together with the crew aboard the Royal Navy’s “Giant 100″ aircraft carrier arrived in the Soviet Union. The carrier on August 19 departure from Greenock, arrived in Murmansk, the carrier carrying the “Hurricane” from the deck off, transferred to Wang Jia Ji, the 40 “Hurricane” in the build-up.
Over the next four months, which became the Royal Air Force officers and men of about 550 homes. During winter, where temperatures plunged to minus 15 degrees, daylight hours from 23 hours to 3 hours. In addition, section 151 Wing has also met with the rain, fog, snow and ice climate test. There is no doubt that, in such a bad situation to complete the task, 4 months is clearly too harsh.
However, in the “Lan Sidi Fenka Er” was 6 days after the arrival time, three aircraft have been rushed into the blue sky to conduct test flights. The next three days, a total of 15 aircraft in a flight status may be. Whether the pilot or the British allies, the Soviet Union, which are very satisfied. Since then, the British Royal Air Force flew to Murmansk flying start for the first time on patrol.
Only the expense of a team
Mission headed by Wing Commander Donald Bo Temu – Aishiwude, even though the name of the United Kingdom with a strong color, but the commander was from New Zealand. Donald Bo Temu – Yishenwude not tall, Jingzhuang strong. In section 151 wings, and he may be the most experienced pilots, but had done well, “Flame,” “Hurricane” “Typhoon” and “Warriors” fighter flight missions, won the Air Force Cross.
Donald Bo Temu – Yishenwude led pilots, though very young but a lot of people took part in the Battle of Britain in 1940. These young people find themselves living in the Arctic north of 270 km and, when all was a bit surprised, because they thought they have to go to the desert.
No. 151 Wing eventually found their task is by no means a friend of the Soviet Union assembly, “Hurricane” and train them to master the aircraft control so simple. In the implementation of the overseas missions, they ushered in an opportunity not to be missed, that Battle of Britain veterans status in different theaters and the Nazi air force’s combat.
September 12, 1941, p. 151 Wing were carried out 6 times patrol and escort missions, and welcomed their first exchange of fire with enemy aircraft. On this day the air battle, they were shot down three enemy aircraft, but unfortunately, Smith heroic sacrifice in the battle non-commissioned officers. It is worth mentioning that, Smith was also the first wing 151 combat missions in the Murmansk at the expense of the implementation of the only pilots. Battle, Smith driving the “Hurricane” by enemy planes hit the rear of the cockpit. Bar due to the destruction of the cockpit, he was unable to parachute to escape.
Time may be short but the height of success
In the presence of Wang Jia Ji during the period between the first wing 151 to 365 sorties, a total of 14 enemy aircraft shot down. Taking into account the task for only a short 4 months, they have achieved is absolutely a remarkable achievement. October 13, 1941, the British sent a “hurricane” Start transfer to the Soviet Union’s Northern Fleet Air Force.
October 26, a Soviet pilot, “Hurricane” the first aircraft shot down by the Nazis. At this moment, “ForceBenedict” mission came to an end, the British pilot was preparing to leave to return home.
November 16, a vanguard left for Archangel, and then a boat back to England. 14 days later, Wing Commander Donald Bo Temu – Aishiwude, Rock Major and Miller, Sergeant Major, as well as Harvey was awarded the Order of Lenin, became the only four honored during World War II British soldiers. The spring of 1942, that is, late March day, Donald Bo Temu – Aishenwude other four British officers and men were invited to the Soviet Embassy in Kensington in the UK to receive this decoration.
