Operation: Reconnaissance

Date: 13th May 1940 (Monday)

Unit No: 53 Squadron

Type: Blenheim IV

Serial: L9332

Code: PZ:Z

Base: Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) B-44 Poix

Location: Vitry-en-Artois airfield, France

Pilot: Flt Lt. Alan Coatsworth Brown 37033 RAF Age 26. Safe (1)

Obs: Sgt. Bernard James Brooks MiD 364492 RAF Age 25. Safe (2)

WOp/Air Gnr: AC2. Wallace James Cavett 614176 RAF Age 20. Injured (3)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking part in a Reconnaissance when it us understood to have been hit by flak. The pilot, Fl/Lt. Brown managed a single engine landing. The Wireless operator, AC2 Cavett was hit in the leg during the attack, seriously injured but recovered.

Following the fall of France a few days later, the aircraft was abandoned after making it unserviceable to the invading German army.

Above: High praise for AC2. Cavett (Cutting courtesy of Ruth Earl)

Above: AC2. Cavett's Flying Log for May 1940 (courtesy of Ruth Earl)

(1) Flt Lt. Brown was transferred to the Reserve of Air Force Officers (RAFO) and called up for RAF service on the 19th October 1940.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) whilst with 53 Sqn. London Gazette 23rd July 1940.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) whilst with 407 Sqn. London Gazette 4th December 1942.

He was Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) which was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 1st January 1943.

Promoted to Wg Cdr on the 29th May 1944. London Gazette 30th June 1944. Made Substantive on the 22nd July 1947.

Conferred the "Order of Leopold with Palme and Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palme" . London Gazette 27th June 1947.

Awarded the OBE(M) - no notification found.

Alan Coatsworth Brown was born on the 9th August 1913 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He passed away on the 29th January 1979 in Alameda, California, USA.

(2) AC2. Brooks was Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) for services rendered in the Mohmand operations, North-West Frontier of India, 15th August to 15th October 1935 whilst with 27 Squadron. Promulgated in the London Gazette 8th May 1936.

Sgt. Brooks was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) on the 23rd July 1940 whilst with 53 Sqn. Citation: "Awarded for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations".

Flt Sgt. Brooks was appointed to a commission in Technical Branch and promoted to 48011 Plt Off. London Gazette dated 22nd February 1944 with seniority from 3rd February 1942.

Bernard James Brooks was born on the 4th June 1912 in Portsmouth. He enlisted in the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice on the 23rd August 1927. He passed away in 1994 in High Littleton, Somerset.

(3) AC2. Cavett was Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) which was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 1st January 1941.

Flt Sgt. Cavett was appointed to a commission and promoted to 51734 Plt Off. on the 8th June 1942. London Gazette 15th June 1943. Promoted to Fg Off. on the 8th June 1942. London Gazette 6th July 1943.

Promoted to Flt Lt. on the 8th June 1942. London Gazette 30th June 1944. Substantive rank granted on the 1st November 1947. London Gazette 2nd January 1948.

Transferred as a Flt Lt. to the Equipment Branch on a short service commission on the 12th February 1948. London Gazette 2nd March 1948.

Retired from the RAF on the 21st June 1955 retaining the Rank of Sqn Ldr. London Gazette 1st July 1955.

Wallace James Cavett was born on the 22nd April 1920 in Victoria, British Columbia. He passed away on the 23rd March 1981 in Greenwich, London.

Burial details:

None - crew survived

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the families and crew (Oct 2015). Thanks to Ruth Earl the Granddaughter of Wallace James Cavett for the correction to his name and for the logbook and cutting (Jun 2024). Reviewed and updated by Aircrew Remembered (Jun 2024).

Other sources listed below:

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