70 years ago today, 17 July 1944, Flight Lieutenant J A Cruickshank was on operational patrol in Catalina JV928 ‘DA-Y’ of 210 Squadron, Coastal Command, in the North Atlantic. U-361 was sighted and during a prolonged attack, John sustained no less than 72 individual wounds and despite suffering from two serious penetrating chest wounds and his navigator being killed during the attack, he succeeded in destroying the submarine.
He was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross.
At the age of 94, John Cruickshank is today the last surviving RAF and WW2 holder of the VC.
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By: trumper - 19th July 2014 at 15:59
🙂 LOL ,if you can squeeze between them. 🙂
It would be nice if Plane sailing could paint a little plaque to acknowledge him on the plane.
By: Atcham Tower - 19th July 2014 at 13:57
Oh dear, sorry, I misinterpreted what you meant! Will crawl back in my box, alongside a Spitfire, of course …
By: trumper - 19th July 2014 at 13:46
Not quite sure what was subtle 🙂 i was meant Rocketeers Grand father and the Plane sailing Catalina flight 🙂 , God is that Burma thread still going.
By: Atcham Tower - 19th July 2014 at 11:59
Very subtle, Trumper! 🙂 I still think it’s worth checking out and it’s marginally nearer than Burma …
By: trumper - 19th July 2014 at 11:53
What a brave chap and what stories on here as well.
By: Atcham Tower - 19th July 2014 at 09:59
Some years back, I heard a story that the remains of Flt Lt Cruikshank’s Catalina are still where he beached it in Shetland. Nobody seems to have investigated this, to my knowledge anyway.
By: Rocketeer - 19th July 2014 at 08:41
A fine fellow indeed. My Grandfather was a Flt Cdr in 210 at the same time. They were considering words for the citation when the call came for my Grandfather to search for the crew of a CC Liberator that had been shot down. He found them and rescued them (received AFC)
By: Mothminor - 18th July 2014 at 20:18
Back in 1988 I was handed an envelope by Bill Japp (formerly of 14 Squadron flying Marauders) with the words ” a present for you – I got some of the folks to sign it.” Inside was a programme for the Aircrew Association Reunion
in Dundee celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Mercury/ Mayo flight from Dundee to South Africa. The signatures – Ly Bennett, Bill Reid and John Cruickshank. So glad to hear Mr Cruickshank is still going strong.
By: STORMBIRD262 - 18th July 2014 at 12:35
man he had big ball’s 😉
By: Rocket2 - 18th July 2014 at 12:10
I had the great pleasure of briefly meeting Mr. Cruickshank many years ago & was instrumental in getting Bill Perrin to paint a picture of John’s Catalina on ops, this was for 210 Sqn at Kinloss in the late 90’s, while the station commander was very grateful, the sqn execs virtually blanked me. I remain in (occasional) contact with Bill though. John was a true gent, shame I was allowed only a couple of mins with him before he was hustled away (I was a lowly technician at the time so was not worthy!). Just an observation – no hard feelings.
By: DazDaMan - 18th July 2014 at 09:22
A real legend.
By: David_Kavangh - 17th July 2014 at 23:42
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John, last year
By: DragonRapide - 17th July 2014 at 19:05
Cruickshank flew in Plane Sailing’s Cat last year – which highlighted his amazing story!
By: Fleet16b - 17th July 2014 at 18:47
He survived and is now 94 ?
WOW! Talk about being indestructable
Mr Cruikshanks, Thank you for your service
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July 17, 2014 at 2:54 pm