YOUNGEST V.C.

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21230, 28 September 1940, Page 9

YOUNGEST V.C.

AWARD TO AIRMAN

FOUGHT FLAMES IN AIR GREAT BRAVERY SHOWN (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 28, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27 The King has conferred the Victoria Cross on Sergeant John Hannah, in recognition of most conspicuous bravery. Sergeant Hannah, who is only 18 years of age lives in Glasgow and was a wireless operator and airgunner in an aircraft engaged in a successful attack on large concentrations of barges on the night of September 15, states an Air Ministry bulletin. The aircraft was hit by a projectile explosive, the incendiary nature of v/hich apparently burst inside the bomb compartment. A fire started and quickly enveloped the cockpits of the wireless operator and rear gunner. The port and starboard petrol tanks being pierced, there was grave danger of the fire spreading so Sergeant Hannah forced his way through the fire to obtain two extinguishers. He discovered that the rear gunner had been forced to leave the aircraft and he could have done the same but he remained and fought the fire for ten minutes with the extinguishers, then beating the flames with his log book. Ammunition Explodes During this time thousands of rounds of ammunition exploded in all directions and Sergeant Hannah was almost blinded by the intense heat and fumes but he had the presence of mind to turn on his oxygen supply. Air, rushing through large holes caused by a projectile, made the bomb compartment an inferno and all the aluminium sheet metal on the floor of this airman’s cockpit melted away, leaving only the cross bearers. Sergeant Hannah, his face and eyes burned, succeeded in extinguishing the fire. He crawled forward and ascertained that the navigator had left the aircraft so he passed the latter’s log maps to the pilot. “This airman displayed courage, coolness and devotion to duty of the highest order and by his action enabled the pilot to bring the aircraft safely to its base,” said the communique. Sergeant Hannah was born at Paisley and was a boot company salesman before joining the Royal Air Force in 1939. He is the youngest V.C. of the war and is the eleventh to receive the highest honour in this conflict.