Yup, I did it again. I stumbled into something a little less ordinary.
I was after the grave of F/Lt Stuart Lovell of 183 Sqdn (Post coming later) when I found this chap in the same cemetery in Brest, France.
72446 Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell VC.
22 Sqdn (Beauforts). KIA 6th April 1941.
London Gazette, 13th March, 1942
“Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell was the pilot of a Beaufort aircraft detailed to attack an enemy battle cruiser in Brest Harbour at first light on the morning of the 6th April, 1941. The ship was in a position protected by a stone mole bending round it, and rising ground behind on which stood batteries of guns. Other batteries clustered thickly round the two arms of land which encircled the outer harbour, while three heavily armed anti-aircraft ships moored nearby guarded the cruiser. Even if an aircraft penetrated these formidable defences it would be almost impossible, after attacking at low level, to avoid crashing into the rising ground beyond. Knowing all this, Flying Officer Campbell ran the gauntlet of the defences and launched a torpedo at point-blank range, severely damaging the battle cruiser below water-line, so that she was obliged to return to the dock whence she had come only the day before. By pressing home the attack at close quarters in the face of withering fire, on a course fraught with extreme peril, this officer displayed valour of the highest order.”
I thought you lot would be able to appreciate the pic and consider him for what he did.
By: Ross_McNeill - 16th May 2003 at 08:40
Campbell VC
Hi Snapper,
The movement out of the dry dock came as a surprise to Coastal Command. It was noticed the day before by PRU Spitfires and an “at all costs” attack ordered from St.Eval.
The raid was planned as two flights of aircraft. The first wave would attack the torpedo nets surrounding the ship with mines and try to reduce the effectiveness of the flak ships. The final wave of aircraft would then attack with torpedoes.
Bad weather meant that Campbell in his torpedo Beaufort arrived at the IP alone. After waiting a short while for any mine Beauforts to turn up he then launched a one aircraft attack knowing full well that the torpedo nets and flak would not have been supressed.
One other Beaufort eventually made the IP about 15 minutes after Campbell and also tried to carry out a single aircraft attack but had to pull back due to the fully alert defences. This aircraft returned to base safely.
Hope this helps in some small way to underline the “above and beyond” reasons for the award of VC.
You may also like to consider the date of award and how the War Department gained detailed knowledge of the action when all Campbell’s crew were killed.
F/O K Campbell VC
Sgt J P Scott RCAF
Sgt W C Mulliss
F/Sgt R W Hillman
Regards
Ross
By: neilly - 16th May 2003 at 08:35
Well said, Kev!
By: kev35 - 15th May 2003 at 23:51
There lies the epitome of courage. And one of the reasons we can sit here putting the world to rights. The sacrifice of that crew and thousands like them gives us the priveleged position we hold now.
I cannot imagine that I would ever have the courage to carry out an attack like that. Knowing how small were the chances of survival. It makes one wonder just how many deeds of immense courage were carried out without ever being recognised.
Regards,
kev35
Sign In
May 15, 2003 at 10:28 pm