Hero Harry saved air crew

[Kyt]

Hero Harry’s fighting spirit saved air crew - Ayrshire Post

A PROUD Dundonald man has spoken of discovering the truth behind his father’s heroic actions as an airman in the Second World War.

Harry Cook, who has died aged 87, was one of the last surviving veterans of his generation to hold the Distinguished Flying Cross – but he never told his family of the circumstances behind the award of the coveted medal.

His son Robert, of Main Street, said: “We were very surprised Harry kept quiet about this for so long. He may have felt unable to talk about his own achievements after having lost so many of his friends.”

Harry was awarded the DFC for showing “fighting spirit” during a daylight bombing raid on German-occupied Uzice, Yugoslavia, in November 1944, when his Wellington bomber was hit by enemy gunfire and he helped guide the aircraft back to base despite the navigator being badly wounded.

Hitler’s forces were suffering heavy losses from the advancing Allies and 37 Squadron RAF, then based in Foggia, Italy, was detailed to attack the marshalling yards and town of Uzice.

Harry, then a 24-year-old acting flight lieutenant, was an observer and squadron bombing leader, responsible for aiming and dropping target indicator incendiaries for his following comrades to unleash their bombs upon.

The lead aircraft was a prime target for enemy gunners on the ground and after crossing the Adriatic they were met with heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire. Harry was the most vulnerable, lying flat on his belly below the Perspex nose of the Wellington scanning the bomb bursts on the ground as brightly coloured tracer shells shot past him and flak exploded all around.

As he released the bombs the aircraft took repeated hits, seriously wounding the navigator.

Harry took his place and helped nurse the badly damaged plane back to base, saving the lives of the six-man crew and earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross. Weeks earlier he had survived a similar mission when his bomber was heavily damaged by gunfire and vital instruments were knocked out.

Harry’s DFC citation reads: “When detailed to attack Uzice town in November 1944, anti-aircraft fire was observed before the bombing run was made.

“Flight Lieutenant Cook took over the controls and steered a straight course for the target. His aircraft was repeatedly hit as the bombs were released and the navigator was badly wounded.

“Flight Lieutenant Cook successfully guided the aircraft out of the target area and then returned safely to base.

“On another occasion in September 1944, during an attack on Ferrara railway sidings, the aircraft was hit many times by anti-aircraft fire, rendering the airspeed indicator and intercommunication system unserviceable. The mission was completed in spite of these harassing circumstances.

“Flight Lieutenant Cook has at all times shown a fine fighting spirit.”

Harry Cook was born on August 26, 1920, and educated at Coatbridge Secondary in Lanarkshire.

After demobilisation he became a director of Allied Suppliers and Safeway.

For more than 60 years Harry, of Clarkston, Glasgow, kept from his family the circumstances behind the award of his DFC and would only talk reluctantly about his five years as a member of RAF Bomber Command. He died last month after a short illness.

Robert, 53, said: “None of his fellow directors knew about his DFC and the first most people were aware of it was when the minister mentioned it in the eulogy at his funeral.

“He was quite a humble man and we can't think of anyone who had a bad word to say about him.”

Robert and his family have made a special framed picture in honour of Harry, featuring wartime snaps and all his medals, including the DFC with its distinctive striped ribbon.

[Antipodean Andy]

A humble man indeed. RIP.