On this day LCDR Gerald Mellor Haynes, RAN, was awarded the DSO for conspicuous gallantry in dive bombing enemy aerodromes, torpedo attacks and mine laying from July 1941. During one operation in Finland eight Albacore aircraft took part of which five were lost. He was the only surviving observer of the nine in the Squadron when he joined.
He commanded No. 828 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, in attacks on Axis shipping from Scotland and from HMS Victorious at sea.
During the period September 1941 to end of June 1943, No. 828 Squadron, based at RAF Hal Far, Malta, operated a squadron of Albacores under some of the most severe blitz conditions imaginable during the siege of Malta, mainly against Italian shipping and shore targets in Sicily.
He was in command of the Squadron during a period when it attacked four enemy cruisers and nine destroyers scoring four hits on these ships.
A Fairey Albacore Royal Navy torpedo Bomber in flight is pictured. The markings place it around 1940.
