John Hannah V.C. 83 Squadron 80th Anniversary

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Guy Hudson, Sep 15, 2020.

  1. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    L1150241.jpeg
    F/Sgt. John Hannah V.C. (left) & Flying Officer Connor D.F.C. Illustrated 19th October 1940

    Today marks the 80th anniversary of the award of the Victoria Cross to Flight Sergeant John Hannah (1921-1947) of 83 Squadron.

    On the night of 15th September, 1940, Sergeant Hannah was the wireless operator/air gunner in an aircraft engaged in a successful attack on an enemy barge concentration at Antwerp. It was then subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire and received a direct hit from a projectile of an explosive and incendiary nature, which apparently burst inside the bomb compartment.

    A fire started which quickly enveloped the wireless operators and rear gunners cockpits, and as both the port and starboard petrol tanks had been pierced, there was grave risk of the fire spreading. Sergeant Hannah forced his way through to obtain two extinguishers and discovered that the rear gunner had had to leave the aircraft. He could have acted likewise, through the bottom escape hatch or forward through the navigators hatch, but remained and fought the fire for ten minutes with the extinguishers, beating the flames with his log book when these were empty.

    During this time thousands of rounds of ammunition exploded in all directions and he was almost blinded by the intense heat and fumes, but had the presence of mind to obtain relief by turning on his oxygen supply. Air admitted through the large holes caused by the projectile made the bomb compartment an inferno and all the aluminium sheet metal on the floor of this airman's cockpit was melted away, leaving only the cross bearers.

    Working under these conditions, which caused burns to his face and eyes, Sergeant Hannah succeeded in extinguishing the fire. He then crawled forward, ascertained that the navigator had left the aircraft, and passed the latter's log and maps to the pilot. This airman displayed courage, coolness and devotion to duty of the highest order and by his action in remaining and successfully extinguishing the fire under conditions of the greatest danger and difficulty, enabled the pilot to bring the aircraft to its base.

    Hannah V.C. contracted tuberculosis and died at Markfield Sanatorium, Leicestershire on 7th June 1947.
    He is buried St James the Great Church, Church Hill, Birstall, Leicester
     
    Cpl Hadaway, Lindele and Markyboy like this.

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