Themes

Article Highlights

• Introduction

• The invasion fleet

• Lieutenant George Baldwin

Lieutenant George Baldwin

Lieutenant George Baldwin flying a Seafire L2, senior pilot of 807 Squadron led a strafing attack over an airfield, which caught French Air Force bombers on the ground. A French Dewoitine fighter attacked him after at least three strafing runs. Despite being out of cannon ammunition Baldwin managed to inflict damage with his machine guns. As he was making for home a second French fighter at right angles fired at him, this was followed by a huge explosion behind his seat. On returning to HMS Furious he found that his radio and pneumatic system had failed, but made a good landing on the carriers deck. He found that he was the centre of attention by a large number of ground aircrew and naval ratings. After climbing out the cockpit he discovered a large hole about 2 feet in diameter just behind the cockpit, the radio was in pieces, the armoured seat was peppered with shrapnel and only one control wire was left to the rudder.

The Allied landings in North Africa marked the end of axis ambitions in that continent. They turned the balance of power in the Mediterranean and laid the foundations for the next step in the war, taking ground forces into Axis territory for the first time.