Roderick Learoyd VC
The First of 2 Hampden Aircrew to receive the Ultimate Award
Roderick Learoyd joined the RAF in 1936 and on gaining his wings he was posted to 49 squadron based at Scampton in Lincolnshire. It was a squadron with a proud heritage that began in April 1916. It went to France as a day-bombing unit equipped with DH4s and from then until the Armistice it was continuously engaged in bombing operations, both high and low level. During its period of active service No.49 dropped 119 tons of bombs and destroyed 56 enemy aircraft.
Following a 1919 sojourn in Germany as part of the Army of Occupation the squadron was disbanded. In 1936 it was reformed at Bircham Newton in Norfolk as a bomber squadron using Hawker Hinds. Later it transferred to Scampton and in 1938 exchanged its Hinds for the newly introduced Handley Page Hampden, the first unit to do so. Scampton was also 83 squadron’s home base and without doubt its most revered member was future 'dam buster' Guy Gibson.
Early Operations
On September 4, the day following Britain’s declaration of war, a combined force of 12 Hampdens from 49 and 83 was despatched to attack the German fleet in the Schillig Roads. Poor visibility resulted in the mission being abandoned but it signified No.5 Group’s initial involvement in World War II. During the early days of the war, except for leaflet raids Bomber Command imposed a strict ban on bombing German cities. It was 49 Squadron that helped inaugurate the RAF’s sea mining campaign in early 1940. Following the fall of France in June, July saw the commencement of the ‘Battle of the Barges’ and the squadron’s involvement in that critical period.
Aqueduct Attack
On the night of 12 August a combined force of Hampdens, six from 49 and five from 83 were briefed to bomb a special target on the Dortmund Ems canal. The aqueduct was well defended with searchlights and anti-aircraft units positioned on each side of the canal. Their siting created a deadly corridor along which any attacking aircraft was forced to negotiate.
While other Hampdens made diversionary raids on nearby targets the five aircraft from 49 made their attacks singly and at two-minute intervals. Flt.Lt. Pitcairn-Hill in the lead aircraft bombed successfully and despite suffering damage, managed to limp back to base. The second, piloted by P/O Ross an Australian, was brought down in flames beside the canal, while the third, F/O Mulligan also an Australian, suffered severe damage in his attack. With one engine on fire he still managed to climb to a safe altitude and bale out his crew and himself. F/O Matthews suffered damage but managed to extricate his aircraft from the situation and return to base. It was then F/Lt. Learoyd’s turn, and with the defences fully alerted he flew into the inferno of flak and searchlights. In spite of the intensity of fire he pressed home his attack and bombed successfully.
Victoria Cross Award
His aircraft still flew reasonably in spite of damage to one wing and loss of the hydraulic system. He coaxed the crippled Hampden across the English Channel and reached Scampton in pre-dawn darkness. With the uncertainty of his undercarriage and flaps he elected to circle the base until first light and then made a successful landing. Later confirmation revealed the destruction of the target and for his action F/Lt. Learoyd was awarded the Victoria Cross, the citation of which concluded:
Flight Lieutenant Learoyd has shown the highest conception of duty and complete indifference to personal danger in making attacks at the lowest altitudes regardless of opposition.
F/Lt.Learoyd
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Handley Page Hampden
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