_________________________________________________
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 Buenos Aires, Argentina,
8 May 1910
Family returned to England in 1914 &
His father joined Royal Navy.
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 &
- 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 lead
No.286 Wing of Balkan Air Force, Brindisi.
Missing In Action, 16 Dec 1943 while with No.126 Sqn.
- (believed shot down by Bf.109s -they are said to have
-
attacked 30- or collided with his good friend S/L
- K.B.L. Debenham who also did not return) [see below] |
____________________________________________________
Bowie Debenham & Timber Woods
Photo from
Hap Kennedy's book "Black Crosses Off My Wingtip"
|
_______________________________________________________
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.
_______________________________________________________
Victories Include :
13 Mar 1942
23 Mar 1942
28 Apr 1942
8 May 1942
17 May 1942
5 June 1942
27 Aug 1942
2 Oct 1942
10 Oct 1942
12 Oct 1942
13 Oct 1942
14 Oct 1942
15 Oct 1942
16 Oct 1942
22 Oct 1942
27 Oct 1942
11 Dec 1942
14 Dec 1942
19 Dec 1942
4 Dec 1943 |
one FW-190
one FW.190
one FW.190
one Bf.109
one
FW.190
one Bf.109F
one MC.202
one MC.202
one Bf.109
one Ju.88
one Bf.109
one Bf.109
one Ju.88
two Bf.109Fs
one Ju.88
one Bf.109F
one Ju.88
one Ju.88
one MC.202
one Bf.109
one Bf.109
one Bf.110
1/3 Ju.88
1/3 Ju.88
one Do.24
two Ju.87 |
damaged
destroyed
damaged
probable
damaged
destroyed
destroyed
damaged
damaged
destroyed
damaged
destroyed
damaged
destroyed
probable
destroyed
damaged
damaged
probable
damaged
probable
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed |
St.
Omer area
St.Omer-Hardelot
Calais-Gris Nez
Dieppe
Gris Nez
Le Crotoy
OTG, Gela airfield
Syracuse area
N of
Gozo
&
Luqa area, &
&
Off S Cicilian coast
20 miles N of Gozo
Grand Harbour
&
off Kalafrana
Halfar
&
N of Grand
Harbour
Malta
&
near Lampari Island
W of
Lampedusa
near Delimara
Podorica
airfield |
Spitfire BL918
Spitfire BL773
Spitfire BL773
Spitfire BM516
Spitfire BL773
Spitfire BP867
Spitfire AR466
Spitfire TR466
Spitfire TR466
Spitfire TR466
Spitfire TR466
Spitfire TR466
Spitfire AR466 [1]
Spitfire AD529
Spitfire BR529
Spitfire AR559
Spitfire AR559
Spitfire ER728
Spitfire MA701 |
11.66 / 4 / 10
plus 1 On The Ground
[1] Woods was shot down during this engagement
______________________________________________________
Hit by ground flak, Timber went on to down an enemy aircraft with this prop vibrating
______________________________________________________
See George Brown & Michel Lavigne's "Canadian
Wing Commanders".
______________________________________________________
--- Canadian Aces ---
______________________________________________________
|
