PILOT AWARDED V.C.

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 233, 29 June 1944, Page 5

PILOT AWARDED V.C.

LONDON, June 27. A posthumous Victoria Cross has been awarded to Pilot Officer Cyril Joe Barton, R.A.F., of Surrey. The citation states that he was the captain and pilot of a Halifax which was detailed to attack Nuremburg on the night of March 30. Enemy fighters <0 miles from the target put the intercommunication system out of action, damaged an engine, and knocked out the bomber's In the confusion over the inler-communication failure a signal was misinterpreted, and the navigator. the air bomber, and the radio operator baled out. Pilot Officer Barton faced a situation of dire peril, but, being determined to press home the attack at all costs, flew on to the target and released the bombs himself. As he turneel for home a propeller was damaged and the engine flew off. He also discovered that two of the petrol tanks were leaking. Pilot. Officer Barton held his course, and without navigational aids, despite strong head winds, crossed the English coast only 90 miles from bis base. His petrol supply was nearly exhausted. ’I hen the port engines stopped. The plane was now too low to be abandoned successfully. Pilot Officer Barton ordered the three remaining members of the crew to their crash stations, and with one engine working, gallantly attempted to land clear 'of houses over which he was flying, but finally crashed. Pilot Officer Barton was killed, but his three comrades survived. Pilot Officer Barton displayed unsurpassed courage and devotion to dnty.