38-586: Wing Commander Mark Henry Brown , DFC & Bar (9 October 1911 – 12 November 1941) was a Canadian-born flying ace who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War . Credited with having shot down at least fifteen German aircraft, he was the first Canadian pilot to become a flying ace during the war. He was killed in action in November 1941 over Sicily . Mark Henry Brown, who
76-603: A pilot officer . At the time of his posting to No. 1 Squadron, it was based at Tangmere and operating the Hawker Fury biplane fighter . However, in late 1937 it began to replace its aircraft with the new Hawker Hurricane fighter. He was promoted to flying officer in December 1938. At the beginning of September 1939, No. 1 Squadron was deployed to France as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force . By October it
114-403: A Bf 109 and then a Junkers Ju 87 dive bomber . In doing so, he became the first Canadian pilot to reach flying ace status. Brown shot down a Bf 110 the next day and on 17 May destroyed another, and also claimed a He 111 as destroyed the same day. He claimed a Henschel Hs 126 reconnaissance aircraft as destroyed on 18 May, to the south east of Saint-Quentin . The following day, he shot down
152-476: A Bf 110 south of St Catherine's Point on 11 August. He was shot down over Harwich on 15 August but managed to bail out over the English Channel , suffering only minor injuries. He was subsequently picked up by a trawler. On 3 September 1940 Brown was promoted to flight lieutenant . The following week, No. 1 Squadron went north to Wittering for less intensive patrolling duties as part of No. 12 Group . It
190-496: A He 111 and claimed a second of the same type as probably destroyed, both north of Rethel . He destroyed another He 111 on 21 May, also near Rethel. He damaged a Bf 109 on 1 June and then destroyed a Do 17 over Amiens four days later. His final aerial victories in the fighting over France were achieved on 14 June, when he destroyed a He 111 and Bf 109 near Caen . The next day he was shot down but landed safely and made his way to Brest . From there he found passage to Southampton . In
228-462: A wing commander is more likely to command a wing which is an administrative sub-division of an RAF station . A flying squadron is normally commanded by a wing commander but is occasionally commanded by a squadron leader for small units. In the Air Training Corps , a wing commander is usually the officer commanding of a wing. The rank insignia is based on the three gold bands of commanders in
266-520: Is immediately senior to squadron leader and immediately below group captain . It is usually equivalent to the rank of commander in the navy and the rank of lieutenant colonel in other services. The equivalent rank in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force and the Women's Royal Air Force (until 1968) and in Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service (until 1980) was wing officer. The equivalent rank in
304-462: Is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 to other ranks, of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services , and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy". The award was established on 3 June 1918, shortly after the formation of
342-723: The Falklands and the wars in the Gulf , Iraq and Afghanistan . Additionally, two second-award, and one third-award bars have been awarded. The above figures include awards to the Dominions : In all, 4,460 DFCs have gone to Canadians, including 256 first bars and six second bars. Of these, 193 crosses and nine first bars were for service with the RAF in World War I. For World War II, 4,018 DFCs with 213 first bars and six second bars were earned by members of
380-978: The Royal Canadian Air Force , with a further 247 crosses and 34 first bars to Canadians serving with the RAF. From 1918 to 1972 the DFC was awarded to 2,391 Australians, along with 144 first Bars and five second Bars. Over 1,000 DFCs were awarded to New Zealanders during the World War II, with the most recent awards for service in Vietnam. In 1999 the DFC was replaced by the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration . A total of 1,022 honorary awards have been made to members of allied foreign forces. This comprises 46 crosses and one bar for World War I and 927, along with 34 first and three second bars, for World War II. Eight crosses and two bars were awarded to members of
418-523: The Royal Observer Corps (until 1995) was observer commander, which had a similar rank insignia. The rank was used in the Royal Canadian Air Force until the 1968 unification of the Canadian Forces , when army-type rank titles were adopted. Canadian group captains then became lieutenant colonels . In official Canadian French usage, the rank title was lieutenant-colonel d'aviation . In
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#1732883858843456-916: The United States Navy (USN), a wing commander is also a command billet, not a rank. The equivalent USN rank is a captain . Navy wing commanders are either Naval Aviators or Naval Flight Officers who typically have command of a carrier air wing or a "functional" air wing or air group such as a strike fighter wing, a patrol and reconnaissance wing, a tactical air control group, or a training air wing, with several squadron commanding officers reporting to him/her. Those officers commanding carrier air wings are called "CAG," dating back to when carrier air wings were called carrier air groups. Those officers commanding functional air wings and air groups are called "commodore." Unlike USAF, "group" commands in USN are either equal to or senior to an air wing. The Civil Air Patrol ,
494-681: The 1990s most, including Canada , Australia and New Zealand , had established their own honours systems and no longer recommended British honours. The DFC now serves as the third-level award for all ranks of the British Armed Forces for exemplary gallantry in active operations against the enemy in the air, not to the standard required to receive the Victoria Cross or the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross . Apart from honorary awards to those serving with allied forces, all awards of
532-614: The 1990s, the Canadian Forces Air Command (the post-1968 RCAF) altered the structure of those bases under its control, redesignating them as wings. The commander of such an establishment was re-designated as the "wing commander" (or "Wg Comd"). Like the United States Air Force usage, the term "wing commander" (as used in the Canadian Forces and again in the RCAF) is an appointment, not a rank. A wing commander usually holds
570-645: The 1993 review of the honours system as part of the drive to remove distinctions of rank in bravery awards, all ranks of all arms of the Armed Forces have been eligible, and the Distinguished Flying Medal , which had until then been awarded to other ranks , was discontinued. While remaining a reward for "flying in active operations against the enemy", the requirement was changed from "valour, courage or devotion to duty" to "exemplary gallantry". The DFC had also been awarded by Commonwealth countries but by
608-532: The British Army, with Royal Naval Air Service captains and Royal Flying Corps colonels officially becoming colonels in the RAF. In practice, there was some inconsistency, with some former naval officers using their former ranks unofficially. In response to the proposal that the RAF should use its own rank titles, it was suggested that the RAF might use the Royal Navy's officer ranks, with the word "air" inserted before
646-517: The DFC are announced in the London Gazette . A bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DFC who received a further award, with a silver rosette worn on the ribbon when worn alone to denote the award of each bar. Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DFC". The decoration, designed by Edward Carter Preston , is a cross flory , 2.125 inches (54.0 mm) wide. The horizontal and bottom bars are terminated with bumps,
684-711: The Royal Air Force (RAF), with the Royal Warrant published on 5 December 1919. It was originally awarded to RAF commissioned and warrant officers , including officers in Commonwealth and allied forces. In March 1941 eligibility was extended to Naval Officers of the Fleet Air Arm , and in November 1942 to Army officers, including Royal Artillery officers serving on attachment to the RAF as pilots-cum- artillery observers . Posthumous awards were permitted from 1979. Since
722-602: The Royal Navy and consists of three narrow light blue bands over slightly wider black bands. This is worn on both the lower sleeves of the tunic or on the shoulder of the flight suit or the casual uniform. The command pennant is two triangular command pennants used in the RAF. Two thin red lines differentiate this one from the other. During 1941-45 RAF Fighter Command 's wing leaders (of wing commander rank) were also allowed to use their own initials as aircraft identification letters on their personal aircraft, e.g., Wing Commander Roland Beamont 's personal Hawker Tempest , JN751 ,
760-456: The destruction of four more. He also claimed one as probably destroyed and two damaged. Another military aviation historian, Mike Spick, recites identical aerial victories for Brown. Wing commander (rank) Wing commander ( Wg Cdr or W/C ) is a senior officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force . The rank is used by air forces of many countries that have historical British influence . Wing commander
798-595: The following month and Brown destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter over Thionville on 20 April. When the German invasion of France and the Low Countries commenced on 10 May, No. 1 Squadron was heavily engaged and over the following weeks began to retreat, repeatedly shifting from airfield to airfield. Brown shared in the destruction of a Do 17 that day and the next day, shot down a pair of Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighters east of Vervins . On 14 May, Brown shot down
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#1732883858843836-507: The meantime, No. 1 Squadron was withdrawn to the United Kingdom. Brown returned to the squadron, now at Tangmere , on 18 June. In the weeks after No. 1 Squadron's return to the United Kingdom, it was rested and brought back up to strength, coming operational again in late July. At this time, Brown was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for "gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations". He shot down
874-477: The naval rank title. For example, the rank that later became wing commander would have been "air commander". Although the Admiralty objected to this simple modification of their rank titles, it was agreed that the RAF might base many of its officer rank titles on naval officer ranks with differing pre-modifying terms. It was also suggested that RAF lieutenant colonels might be entitled reeves or wing-leaders. However,
912-542: The rank of colonel . On 16 August 2011, the Government of Canada announced that the name "Air Command" was being changed to the air force's original historic name of Royal Canadian Air Force . Though traditional insignia for the RCAF was restored in 2015, there has been no restoration of the traditional RCAF officer rank structure that paralleled the RAF. On 1 April 1918, the newly created RAF adopted its officer rank titles from
950-543: The rank title wing commander was chosen as wings were typically commanded by RAF lieutenant colonels, and the term wing commander had been used in the Royal Naval Air Service. The rank of wing commander was introduced in August 1919 and has been used continuously since then. In the early years of the RAF, a wing commander commanded a flying wing, typically a group of three or four aircraft squadrons . In current usage
988-417: The upper bar with a rose. The decoration's face features aeroplane propellers, superimposed on the vertical arms of the cross, and wings on the horizontal arms. In the centre is a laurel wreath around the RAF monogram, surmounted by a heraldic Imperial Crown . The reverse is plain, except for a central roundel bearing the reigning monarch's cypher and the date '1918'. Originally awarded unnamed, from 1939
1026-462: The volunteer auxiliary of the USAF, follows the USAF rank structure. The CAP divides the nation into 52 wings (each corresponding to a state, territory, and District of Columbia). Each wing is headed by a CAP colonel, who holds the position of wing commander. Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) 1918-1919: horizontal alternate white and purple stripes The Distinguished Flying Cross ( DFC )
1064-507: The war". Military aviation historians Christopher Shores and Clive Williams note that many of Brown's claims in the Battle of France were reconstructed after the evacuation of No. 1 Squadron from that country, during which many of its records were lost. Some of the aerial victories achieved there may not have been verified or are in fact considered as probables. Shores and Williams credit Brown with shooting down fifteen German aircraft, and shared in
1102-407: The year of issue was engraved on the reverse lower limb of cross, and since 1984 it has been awarded named to the recipient. The suspender is straight and decorated with laurel wreaths. The ribbon bar denoting a further award is silver, with the Royal Air Force eagle in its centre. Bars awarded during World War II have the year of award engraved on the reverse. The 1.25-inch (32 mm) ribbon
1140-481: Was awarded a Bar to his DFC, on 23 May, the published citation reading: This officer has commanded the squadron with outstanding success. He has destroyed a further two enemy aircraft bringing his total victories to at least 18. His splendid leadership and dauntless spirit have been largely instrumental in maintaining a high standard of efficiency throughout the squadron. In July Brown was promoted to wing commander and transferred to No. 57 OTU at Hawarden , where he
1178-495: Was coded "R-B", Wing Commander John Robert Baldwin 's personal Hawker Typhoon was coded "J-B". In the United States Air Force (USAF), a wing commander is a command billet, not a rank. The position is most often filled by a colonel (some USAF wings are commanded by a brigadier general ) who typically has command of an air wing with several group commanders (also a position, not a USAF rank) reporting to him/her. In
Mark Henry Brown - Misplaced Pages Continue
1216-649: Was hit by anti-aircraft fire and his plane crashed at the airfield. A little while later, during a raid on Malta, an Italian aircraft dropped a message that Brown had been buried with full military honours. Brown is buried in Catania War Cemetery on Sicily. In January 1943, he was posthumously awarded the Czechoslovak Military Cross by the Provisional Government of that country "in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with
1254-562: Was in charge of the training wing. In October 1941 Brown was posted to the Mediterranean theatre of the war , where he was to lead the fighter wing at Ta Kali , on the island of Malta . On 12 November, flying on his first sortie as wing leader, along with Wing Commander Alexander Rabagliati , he led a strafing attack on the Italian airfield at Gela in Sicily . During the attack, Brown's Hurricane
1292-530: Was involved in fighter sweeps to France as well as bomber escort missions. It also trained for night flying, and upgraded to Hurricane Mk II fighters. By this time, much of its flying personnel were Czechs and Poles who had escaped to the United Kingdom following the German occupation of their countries. In April, Brown was posted to serve as an instructor at No. 58 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Grangemouth where he would remain for two months. During this time, he
1330-795: Was nicknamed 'Hilly', was born on 9 October 1911 in Portage la Prairie in Canada. Following the completion of his schooling, he worked for the Bank of Montreal in Brandon . He learned to fly at the Brandon Flying club and left Canada to join the Royal Air Force in May 1936 on a short service commission . After his training at No. 9 Flying Training School at Thornaby was completed, he was posted to No. 1 Squadron in February 1937 as
1368-513: Was operating from Vassincourt Airfield and patrolling the French-German border, occasionally engaging the Luftwaffe . On 23 November, Brown was credited with a share in the destruction of a Dornier Do 17 medium bomber near Le Cateau . He similarly shared in the shooting down of a Heinkel He 111 medium bomber to the south east of Étain on 3 March 1940. The pace of operations began to pick up
1406-530: Was originally white with deep purple broad horizontal stripes, but it was changed in 1919 to the current white with purple broad diagonal stripes. From 1918 to 2017 approximately 22,322 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 1,737 bars have been awarded. The figures to 1979 are laid out in the table below, the dates reflecting the relevant entries in the London Gazette: In addition, between 1980 and 2017 approximately 80 DFCs have been earned, including awards for
1444-518: Was still drawn into the aerial fighting over the southeast of England. Brown claimed a Junkers Ju 88 medium bomber that he intercepted near Kenley on 6 September as damaged and shared in the destruction of a Do 17 east of Cambridge on 24 September. Following the death of the squadron's commander on 10 November, Brown took over as its commanding officer being promoted to squadron leader . The squadron remained at Wittering until January 1941, at which time it returned south. Operating from Northolt , it
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