91�ȱ�

Extract from S/L Sherwood’s recommendation for the Victoria Cross
Total hours flown on ops 253 hours, 55mins; number of sorties carried out 43. “Squadron Leader Sherwood DFC led his squadron on the daylight attack on the important Diesel Engine Factory at Augsburg, Southern Germany.

With great skill and ability Squadron Leader Sherwood led the formation at very low level across 900 miles of enemy occupied territory eventually leading all his aircraft directly on to the target.

On the approach to the target itself, heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire was experience but, with extreme daring and cool-headedness, he pressed home the attack with his Section, scoring direct hits on the Factory with his bombs from a very low level.

While bombing the target his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft guns and caught fire. Squadron Leader Sherwood continued to lead his section away from the target with one wing well alight and until such time as the aircraft became uncontrollable. By extreme devotion to duty, Squadron Leader Sherwood ensured the success of the operation with which he was charged, and continued his daring leadership to the end.

His conspicuous bravery on this occasion crowned a long and distinguished career in the service of his country” (sic W/C Collier CO 97 Sqn) “This gallant leadership deserves the highest recognition. His example will always be remembered in this Group and in the Royal Air Force.” (sic G/C Harries 5 Group). “Strongly recommended” - AM Harris. Air Ministry endorsement “To be recd for DSO if later found to be alive” Awards F/L Penham DSO “He showed great skill in the handling of his section and the greatest determination in attacking the target from a very low level in spite of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire”; F/L Hallows DFC “His leader was shot down in flames. He then took over command of the remainder of the section. Throughout the whole operation, he showed the greatest possible determination and pluck”; F/O Deverill DFC “His aircraft was hit in numerous places causing a fire, which burned a large portion of the fuselage”; P/O Hooey DFC “He greatly assisted the leader to find and bomb the target by accurate map-reading”; P/O Ifould DFC “By accurate bomb aiming under intense fire he scored direct hits on the main works”; Sgt Overton DFM, Sgt Ratcliffe DFM, Sgt Louch DFM, Sgt Goacher DFM, Sgt Irons DFM, Sgt Mackay DFM Re Irons and Mackay “They dealt with the situation with great calmness and resource; putting out the fire after it had gained a considerable hold”.

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Becky Barugh of the 91�ȱ� Radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Des Evans and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

See more of Des’s stories:

• Bale out!
• Missions from Woodhall Spa
• Tracers coming through the thatch
• I didn’t quite get the chop
• Little humour in adversity
• Ted Porters Crew
• The ‘Augsburg Raid’
• The worst night of the War…
• The worst night of the War (Part 2)
• The worst night of the War (Part 3) - Crew
• The worst night of the War (Part 4) - Losses
• The worst night of the War (Part 5) — Extract from ‘the Berlin’ Raids’
• The worst night of the War (Part 6) — Bombers over Berlin
• The worst night of the War (Part 7) — Combat Report
• A Dedication to Skipper Wing Commander Ted Porter - Pause for Thought
• A Dedication to Skipper Wing Commander Ted Porter — A Navigators View of the Route to Heaven
• Did you know?
• Flight Operations carried out with Sgt. D.C Plaunt
• Flight Operations carried out by Sgt. J.J Johnson
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ after baling out on 9th — 10th June 1944
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ after baling out on the 9th - 10th June 1944 - Continued
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ - 11th June 1944
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ - 12th — 15th June 1944
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ - 16th - 18th June 1944
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ - 19th — 23rd June 1944
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ — 24th August 1044
• ‘Our Heroes’

For further stories read ‘ACHIEVE YOUR AIM’ by Kevin Bending

For more information click on the link below:

^{About links}

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.