Newspaper cutting - V.C for leader they chose for the dangerous jobs
Title
Newspaper cutting - V.C for leader they chose for the dangerous jobs
Description
Gives account of action of Acting Squadron Leader Robert Antony Maurice Palmer, 109 Squadron leading to award of Victoria Cross. Aircraft seen spiralling down in flames after attack on Cologne.
Temporal Coverage
Spatial Coverage
Language
Type
Format
One newspaper cutting
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
SPalmerRAM115772v10017
Transcription
THE DAILY MIRROR, MARCH 24, 1945
V.C. FOR LEADER THEY CHOSE FOR THE DANGEROUS JOBS
[italics] “It was known that he could be relied on to press home his attack, whatever the opposition, and to bomb with great accuracy. He was always selected, therefore, to take part in special operations against vital targets.” [/italics]
WITH that official tribute, the award of the war’s 134th V.C. was announced last night to a missing air ace, Acting Squadron Leader Robert Anthony Maurice Palmer, RAFVR, of 109 Squadron, 24 years old, and already twice awarded the D.F.C.
His plane was seen spiralling down in flames over Cologne after an attack in which he sacrificed himself to mark the target for the bombers following.
“This officer has completed 110 bombing missions,” the citation reads. “Most of them involved deep penetration of heavily defended territory: many were low-level ‘marking’ operations against vital targets: all were executed with tenacity, high courage and great accuracy.
“The finest example of his courage and determination was on December 23, 1944, when he led a formation of Lancasters to attack the marshalling yards at Cologne in daylight. He had the task of marking the target, and his formation had been ordered to bomb as soon as the bombs had gone from his, the leading aircraft.
“The leader’s duties during the final bombing run were exacting and demanded coolness and resolution. To achieve accuracy he would have to fly at an exact height and air speed on a steady course, regardless of opposition.
[underlined] Two Engines on Fire [/underlined]
“Some minutes before the target was reached his aircraft came under heavy anti-aircraft fire. Shells burst all around, two engines were set on fire and there were flames and smoke in the nose and in the bomb bay.
“Enemy fighters now attacked in force. Squadron-Leader Palmer disdained the possibility of taking avoiding action. He knew that if he diverged the least bit from his course, he would be unable to utilise the special equipment to the best advantage.
“He was determined to complete the run and provide an accurate and easily seen aiming point for the other bombers. He ignored the double risk of fire and explosion in his aircraft and kept on.
[underlined] To Earth in Flames [/underlined]
“With his engines developing unequal power, an immense effort was needed to keep the damaged aircraft on a straight course.
“Nevertheless, he made a perfect approach and his bombs hit the target.
‘His aircraft was last seen spiralling to earth in flames.
“Such was the strength of the opposition that more than half of his formation failed to return.”
Squadron-Leader Palmer was born at Gillingham, Kent, and educated at the County School, Gravesend.
V.C. FOR LEADER THEY CHOSE FOR THE DANGEROUS JOBS
[italics] “It was known that he could be relied on to press home his attack, whatever the opposition, and to bomb with great accuracy. He was always selected, therefore, to take part in special operations against vital targets.” [/italics]
WITH that official tribute, the award of the war’s 134th V.C. was announced last night to a missing air ace, Acting Squadron Leader Robert Anthony Maurice Palmer, RAFVR, of 109 Squadron, 24 years old, and already twice awarded the D.F.C.
His plane was seen spiralling down in flames over Cologne after an attack in which he sacrificed himself to mark the target for the bombers following.
“This officer has completed 110 bombing missions,” the citation reads. “Most of them involved deep penetration of heavily defended territory: many were low-level ‘marking’ operations against vital targets: all were executed with tenacity, high courage and great accuracy.
“The finest example of his courage and determination was on December 23, 1944, when he led a formation of Lancasters to attack the marshalling yards at Cologne in daylight. He had the task of marking the target, and his formation had been ordered to bomb as soon as the bombs had gone from his, the leading aircraft.
“The leader’s duties during the final bombing run were exacting and demanded coolness and resolution. To achieve accuracy he would have to fly at an exact height and air speed on a steady course, regardless of opposition.
[underlined] Two Engines on Fire [/underlined]
“Some minutes before the target was reached his aircraft came under heavy anti-aircraft fire. Shells burst all around, two engines were set on fire and there were flames and smoke in the nose and in the bomb bay.
“Enemy fighters now attacked in force. Squadron-Leader Palmer disdained the possibility of taking avoiding action. He knew that if he diverged the least bit from his course, he would be unable to utilise the special equipment to the best advantage.
“He was determined to complete the run and provide an accurate and easily seen aiming point for the other bombers. He ignored the double risk of fire and explosion in his aircraft and kept on.
[underlined] To Earth in Flames [/underlined]
“With his engines developing unequal power, an immense effort was needed to keep the damaged aircraft on a straight course.
“Nevertheless, he made a perfect approach and his bombs hit the target.
‘His aircraft was last seen spiralling to earth in flames.
“Such was the strength of the opposition that more than half of his formation failed to return.”
Squadron-Leader Palmer was born at Gillingham, Kent, and educated at the County School, Gravesend.
Collection
Citation
“Newspaper cutting - V.C for leader they chose for the dangerous jobs,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed April 27, 2025, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/38275.
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