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| PERSONALIA |
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| Name: |
Gibson, Guy Penrose |
| Date of birth: | August 12th, 1918 (Simla, India)
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| Date of death: |
September 19th, 1944 (Steenbergen, the Netherlands)
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| Buried on: |
Commonwealth War Graves Steenbergen |
| Nationality: |
British |
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BIOGRAPHY:
Guy Gibson died on September 19, 1944 during an action, with his de Havilland Mosquito KB 267, with Squadron Leader James Warwick, near Steenbergen. His grave is on the cemetery of Steenbergen and Kruisland, the Netherlands.
In Steenbergen streets were named to commemorate the crash (the Gibsonstraat, Warwickstraat and Mosquitostraat). Also a memorial Plaque was erected at the crash site.
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DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC)
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Rank:
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Acting Squadron Leader
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Unit:
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29 Squadron, Reserve of Air Force Officers
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Awarded on:
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September 16th, 1941
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Action:
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Citation:
"This officer continues to show the utmost courage and devotion to duty. Since joining his present unit, Squadron Leader Gibson has destroyed three and damaged a fourth enemy aircraft. His skill was notably demonstrated when, one night in July, 1941, he intercepted and destroyed a Heinkel 111.
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Details:
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Second decoration received as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (DSO)
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Rank:
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Acting Wing Commander
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Unit:
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106 Squadron, RAF
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Awarded on:
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November 20th, 1942
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Action:
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Citation:
"Since being awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has completed many sorties, including a daylight raid on Danzig and an attack at Gdynia. In the recent attack on Le Creusot, Wing Commander Gibson bombed and machine-gunned the transformer station nearby from 500 feet. On 22nd October, 1942, he participated in the attack on Genoa and, two days later, he led his squadron in a daylight sortie against Milan. On both occasions, Wing Commander Gibson flew with great distinction. He is a most skilful and courageous leader whose keenness has set a most inspiring example.
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (DSO)
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Rank:
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Acting Wing Commander
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Unit:
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106 Squadron, RAF
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Awarded on:
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April 2nd, 1943
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Action:
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Citation:
"This officer has an outstanding operational record, having completed 172 sorties. He has always displayed the greatest keenness and, within the past 2 months, has taken part in 6 attacks against well defended targets, including Berlin. In March, 1943, he captained an aircraft detailed to attack Stuttgart. On the outward flight engine trouble developed but he flew on to his objective and bombed it from a low level. This is typical of his outstanding determination to make every sortie a success. By his skilful leadership and contempt for danger he has set an example which has inspired the squadron he commands."
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Details:
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Second decoration received as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DSO.
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VICTORIA CROSS (VC)
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Rank:
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Wing Commander
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Unit:
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617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
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Awarded on:
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June 22nd, 1943
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Awarded for:
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Operation Chastise
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Action:
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In the night of May 16 on 17, 1943 Wing Commander Gibson led a raid on the Mohne Dam in Germany. He descended with his plane to just a few meters above the water and all this whilst under the devastating fire of the German defenders. After he had dropped his bomb with great accuracy, he circled at low altitude above the hostile anti-aircraft guns to draw attention to himself in order to enable the next bomber to follow his example. After this action they proceeded to the Eder Dam to drop their bombs according to the same tactic.
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Details:
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Wing Commander Gibson’s Victoria Cross is publicly displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, Great Britain.
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LEGION OF MERIT - COMMANDER (LOM - C)
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Rank:
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Wing Commander
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Unit:
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Reserve of Air Force Officers
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Awarded on:
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December 3rd, 1943
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Awarded for:
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Operation Chastise
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Action:
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Citation:
"Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson, RAF, commanded a special organized air force squadron which accomplished the destruction of the Moehne and Eder dams, flooding large areas of enemy territory, with serious impairment of the enemy's capacity.
Wing Commander Gibson personally led the formation attacking the Moehne dam. At extremely low altitude, and in the face of severe antiaircraft fire, he pressed home the attack, and then deliberately circled over the objective for 30 minutes to draw the enemy fire onto himself, and facilitate approach to the target by the remaining planes of his squadron.
After completing the destruction of the Moehne dam, Wing Commander Gibson led his squadron to the Eder dam, and using similar tactics, completed the destruction of that objective.
During the entire operation, Wing Commander Gibson demonstrated the highest type of leadership, and completely subordinated regard for his own safety to the seccessful accomplishment of his mission. His outstanding service and leadership is an inspiring example to the armed forces of the Allied nations, to whose cause he has made a material contribution.
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