WOODS, F/L Eric Norman (60119) - Distinguished Flying
Cross - No.72 Squadron
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 14 July 1942.
This officer has participated in 74 sorties over enemy
territory. He has led his flight, and occasionally the squadron, with
courage, skill and judgement. His resourcefulness in difficult circumstances
has helped to promote and maintain the high morale of the squadron. Flight
Lieutenant Woods has destroyed one and damaged a further two enemy aircraft.
__________________________________________________________
Born in England (Shores) or Buenos Aires (Blatherwick),
8 May 1910
father joined Royal Navy in 1914.
Family moved to Victoria in 1920 then
to Vancouver in 1924, where he was educated.
Moved to England in 1936, working for a phone company and
for the Reigle Police Force, Surrey.
Enlisted in RAF, May 1940 but was placed in reserve until
August 1940 when he began pilot training at
No.10 EFTS (August to October, Tiger Moths) and
No.15 FTS (Harvards).
Received wings and commission in January 1941.
Served at Central Flying School and
No.58 Operational Training Unit (Grangemouth).
Promoted to Flying Officer effective 14 January 1942.
Joined No.124 Squadron in May 1941 to March 1942
when posted to No.72 Squadron as a flight commander
- (Flight Lieutenant rank) until the end of July.
On 10 August 1942 he flew off HMS Furious for Malta where he
- took command of No.249 Squadron.
Rested in February 1943 when posted to Egypt and
No.73 Operational Training Unit, Abu Sueir.
Took command of No.249 Squadron again in July 1943.
Promoted in November 1943 to leas
No.286 Wing of Balkan Air Force, Brindisi.
Missing in action, 16 Dec 1943 while flying with No.126 Squadron
- (believed shot down by Bf.109s or collided with
- S/L K.B.L. Debenham, who also did not return) |
____________________________________________________________
S/L Bowie Debenham & W/C Timber Woods lead an
attack on 30 109's but did not live to tell about it. Photo from
I.F."Hap" Kennedy's "Black Crosses Off My Wingtip"
|
_______________________________________________________________
Victories Are As Follows
13 March 1942, one FW-190 damaged, St.
Omer area, France
23 March 1942, one FW.190 destroyed, St.Omer-Hardelot
- (No.124 Squadron,
Spitfire BL918);
28 April 1942, one FW.190
damaged, Calais-Gris Nez
- (No.72 Squadron,
Spitfire BL773);
8 May 1942.
one Bf.109 probably destroyed, Dieppe
- (No.72 Squadron,
same Spitfire);
17 May 1942, one
FW.190 damaged, Gris Nez
- (No.72 Squadron,
Spitfire BM516);
5 June 1942,
one Bf.109F destroyed, Le Crotoy
- (No.72
Squadron, Spitfire BL773);
27 August 1942, one MC.202 destroyed
on ground, Gela airfield
- (No.249
Squadron, Spitfire TE867);
2 October 1942, one MC.202 damaged,
Syracuse area
- (No.249
Squadron, Spitfire TR466);
10 October 1942, one Bf.109 damaged, north of
Gozo
- (No.249
Squadron, Spitfire TR466);
12 October 1942, one Ju.88 destroyed and
- one Bf.109 damaged, Luqa, plus
- one Bf.109 destroyed and
- one Ju.88 damaged off south Sicilian
coast
-
(all with No.249 Squadron, Spitfire TR466)
13 October 1942, two Bf.109F's destroyed
20 miles north of Gozo
-
(No.249 Squadron, Spitfire TR466);
14 October 1942, one Ju.88 probably destroyed,
Grand Harbour
-
(No.249 Squadron, Spitfire TR466);
15 October 1942, one Bf.109F destroyed and
- one Ju.88 damaged off Kalafrana
-
(No.249 Squadron, Spitfire TR466);
16 October 1942, one Ju.88 damaged, Halfar
(No.249 Squadron, Spit TR466
- Woods was shot down in this engagement);
22 October 1942, one MC.202 probably destroyed
plus
- one Bf.109 damaged north of Grand
Harbour
- (No.72
Squadron, Spitfire AD529);
27 October 1942, one Bf.109 probably destroyed,
Malta
-
(No.72 Squadron, Spitfire AD529);
11 December 1942, one Bf.110 destroyed plus
- one Ju.88 destroyed (1/3 share)
both near Lampari Island
-
(No.72 Squadron, Spitfire AR559)
14 December 1942, one Ju.88 destroyed (1/3 share) west of
Lampedusa
- (No.72 Squadron, Spitfire AR559);
19 December 1942, one Do.24 destroyed near Delimara
-
(No.72 Squadron, Spitfire EP728);
4 December 1943, one Ju.87 destroyed at Podorica
airfield
-
(No.286 Wing, Spitfire MA701). |
________________________________________________________________
WOODS, S/L Eric Norman (60119) - Bar to DFC - No.249 Squadron
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 3 November 1942.
In the recent heavy air fighting over Malta this officer has led his squadron
against enemy formations with great success. Between 12th and 17th October
1942, 27 aircraft were destroyed by the squadron, and much of this success
can be attributed to Squadron Leader Woods' outstanding leadership. In
one engagement, on the 13th October, he shot down two enemy aircraft,
bringing his victories to six. His example of courage and devotion to
duty has inspired his fellow pilots.
_______________________________________________________
See George Brown & Michael Lavigne's "Canadian
Wing Commanders".
--- Canadian Aces ---
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