VC Action: Arthur Louis Aaron VC,
DFM (5 March 1922–13 August 1943) was 21 years old, and an
acting flight sergeant in No. 218 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War when the following
deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On the night of 12th August, 1943, Flight
Sergeant Aaron was captain and pilot of a Stirling aircraft
detailed to attack Turin. When approaching to attack, the
bomber received devastating bursts of fire from an enemy fighter.
Three engines were hit, the windscreen shattered, the front
and rear turrets put out of action and the elevator control
damaged, causing the aircraft to become unstable and difficult
to control. The navigator was killed and other members of
the crew were wounded. A bullet struck Flight Sergeant Aaron
in the face, breaking his jaw and tearing away part of his
face. He was also wounded in the lung and his right arm was
rendered useless. As he fell forward over the control column,
the aircraft dived several thousand feet. Control was regained
by the flight engineer at 3,000 feet. Unable to speak, Flight
Sergeant Aaron urged the bomb aimer by signs to take over
the controls. Course was then set southwards in an endeavour
to fly the crippled bomber, with one engine out of action,
to Sicily or North Africa.
Flight Sergeant Aaron was assisted to the
rear of the aircraft and treated with morphia. After resting
for some time he rallied and, mindful of his responsibility
as captain of the aircraft, insisted on returning to the pilot’s
cockpit, where he was lifted into his seat and had his feet
placed on the rudder bar. Twice he made determined attempts
to take control and hold the aircraft to its course but his
weakness was evident and with difficulty he was persuaded
to desist. Though in great pain and suffering from exhaustion,
he continued to help by writing directions with his left hand.
Five hours after leaving the target the petrol
began to run low, but soon afterwards the flare path at Bone
airfield was sighted. Flight Sergeant Aaron summoned his failing
strength to direct the bomb aimer in the hazardous task of
landing the damaged aircraft in the darkness with undercarriage
retracted. Four attempts were made under his direction; at
the fifth attempt Flight Sergeant Aaron was so near to collapsing
that he had to be restrained by the crew and the landing was
completed by the bomb aimer.
Nine hours after landing, Flight Sergeant
Aaron died from exhaustion. Had he been content, when grievously
wounded, to lie still and conserve his failing strength, he
would probably have recovered, but he saw it as his duty to
exert himself to the utmost, if necessary with his last breath,
to ensure that his aircraft and crew did not fall into enemy
hands. In appalling conditions he showed the greatest qualities
of courage, determination and leadership, and, though wounded
and dying, he set an example of devotion to duty which has
seldom been equalled and never surpassed. |
