Hugh James (RAF officer)
Hugh Glanffrwd "Jimmy" James AFC & Bar, DFM (3 October 1922 – 7 January 2015) was a Welsh aviator and Royal Air Force (RAF) officer, who rose to the rank of squadron leader.
Hugh James | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Jimmy" |
| Born | 3 October 1922 Cilfynydd, Wales |
| Died | 7 January 2015 (aged 92) Cardiff, Wales |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940–1965 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 216 Squadron RAF No. 24 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | Second World War Berlin Airlift |
| Awards | Air Force Cross & Bar Distinguished Flying Medal |
His plane, a Bristol Bombay of No. 216 Squadron RAF (a slow transport plane flying a usually "safe" route) was shot down on 7 August 1942 carrying Lieutenant General William Gott to meet Churchill; leading to Bernard Montgomery's promotion in his place and making possible his subsequent victory over Rommel's "Afrika Korps".[1][2]
References
- "Squadron Leader Hugh James: Pilot whose plane was shot down carrying 'Strafer' Gott, leading to Montgomery's hour of glory". The Independent. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- "Squadron Leader Hugh 'Jimmy' James – obituary". Telegraph.co.uk. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
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