SMITH, F/L Roderick Illingworth Alpine (J4561) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.126 Squadron - Award effective 1 December 1942 as per London Gazette dated 4 December 1942 and AFRO 2069/42 dated 18 December 1942.
________________________________________________ DFC presented at uncertain date, possibly in conjunction with Bar (presented 5 October 1946) Flight Lieutenant Smith has been responsible for [the] destruction of six enemy aircraft since his arrival in Malta. One day in October 1942 he led his flight in a determined attack on nine hostile bombers with a large fighter escort, and in spite of intense opposition by the fighters, Flight Lieutenant Smith personally destroyed a Junkers 88, while one Macchi 202 was destroyed by other pilots of his flight. This officer has always displayed the greatest determination and courage and during the recent hard fighting has been an inspiration to all.
NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9606 has a slightly different text communicated from Headquarters Middle East to Air Ministry, 4 November 1942:
This officer arrived in Malta on the 15th July 1942 and since his arrival has destroyed six enemy aircraft with one-half probably destroyed. On the 11th October 1942 he led his flight in a determined attack on nine Junkers 88s with a large fighter escort approaching Malta from the north. Bombers [were] intercepted before they could cross the coast and in spite of intense opposition by enemy fighters Flying Officer Smith destroyed one Junkers 88 while one Macchi 202 was destroyed and another damaged by his flight. He has always displayed the greatest keenness to engage the enemy at all times and his determination and courage during the recent hard fighting have been an inspiration to his flight and squadron. ___________________________________________________ SMITH, S/L Roderick Illingworth Alpine, DFC (J4561) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.401 Squadron - Award effective 24 November 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1/45 dated 5 January 1945. Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader Smith has completed numerous sorties against the enemy. In four days he achieved the remarkable feat of destroying seven enemy aircraft. As squadron commander this officer led 412 Squadron on six missions in three days, during which period it destroyed twenty-seven enemy aircraft and damaged nine others. This was accomplished during the enemy's persistent efforts to destroy bridges in the Arnhem and Nijmegen area which were vital to our ground forces. Victories as listed in Aces High (with aircraft details)
__________________________________________________________ His career is well chronicled in Chris Shores' Aces High (2nd edition) & Malta: The Spitfire Years |
On these pages I use info
from the Air force
Association of Canada's web site
in Hugh Halliday's excellent Honors & Awards section,
Newspaper articles via the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC)
as well as other sources both published and private