For Valour : Flight Sergeant Rawdon Hume Middleton (Aus. 402745) VC Royal Australian Air Force

29 November 1942, over Italy

Flight Sergeant Rawdon Hume Middleton (Aus. 402745) VC
Royal Australian Air Force,  22 July 1916 – 29 November 1942

Following the Allied invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch) on 8 November 1942, Bomber Command resumed attacks on Italian industrial targets. Stirling aircraft had poor high-level performance and had great difficulty traversing the Alps.

Flight Sergeant Middleton was a member of 149 Squadron, 3 Group, Bomber Command, based at RAF Lakenheath. On the night of 28/29 November 1942, his was one of 182 crews detailed to attack the Fiat motor works in Turin, Italy. He was captain and pilot of Short Stirling Mk. 1, Serial BF 372 coded OJ.H, which took off at 18.14 hrs.

The London Gazette FRIDAY, 15 JANUARY, 1943

‘The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the under-mentioned airman in recognition of most conspicuous bravery:— Aus.402745 Flight Sergeant Rawdon Hume MIDDLETON, Royal Australian Air Force (missing), No. 149 Squadron. Flight Sergeant Middleton was captain and first pilot of a Stirling aircraft detailed to attack the Fiat Works at Turin one night in November, 1942.

Great difficulty was experienced in climbing to 12,000 feet to cross the Alps, which led to excessive consumption of fuel. So dark was the night that the mountain peaks were almost invisible. During the crossing Flight Sergeant Middleton had to decide whether to proceed or turn back, there being barely sufficient fuel for the return journey.

Flares were sighted ahead and he continued the mission and even dived to 2,000 feet to identify the target, despite the difficulty of regaining height. Three flights were made over Turin at this low altitude before the target was identified.

149 Squadron (Summer 1942)

The aircraft was then subjected to fire from light anti-aircraft guns. A large hole appeared in the port main-plane which made it difficult to maintain lateral control. A shell then burst in the cockpit, shattering the windscreen and wounding both pilots. A piece of shell splinter tore into the side of Flight Sergeant Middleton’s face, destroying his right eye and exposing the bone over the eye.

He was probably wounded also in the body or legs. The second pilot received wounds in the head and both legs which bled profusely. The wireless operator was also wounded in the leg. Flight Sergeant Middleton became unconscious and the aircraft dived to 800 feet before control was regained by the second pilot, who took the aircraft up to 1500 feet and released the bombs.

One of 149 Squadron’s Stirlings flying through enemy flak

There was still light flak, some very intense, and the aircraft was hit many times. The three gunners replied continuously until the rear turret was put out of action. Flight Sergeant Middleton had now recovered consciousness and, when clear of the target, ordered the second pilot back to receive first aid.

Before this was completed the latter insisted on returning to the cockpit, as the captain could see very little and could only speak with loss of blood and great pain. Course was set for base and the crew now faced an Alpine crossing and a homeward flight in a damaged aircraft, with insufficient fuel.

An oil painting showing a Stirling aircraft flying over the Alps

The possibilities of abandoning the aircraft or landing in Northern France were discussed but Flight Sergeant Middleton expressed the intention of trying to make the English coast, so that his crew could leave the aircraft by parachute. Owing to his wounds and diminishing strength, he knew that, by then, he would have little or no chance of saving himself.

After four hours, the French coast was reached and here the aircraft, flying at 6,000 feet, was once more engaged and hit by intense light anti-aircraft fire. Flight Sergeant Middleton was still at the controls and mustered sufficient strength to take evasive action. After crossing the Channel there was only sufficient fuel for minutes flying.

A Short Stirling photographed in colour

Flight Sergeant Middleton ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft while he flew parallel with the coast for a few miles, after which he intended to head out to sea. Five of the crew left the aircraft safely, while two remained to assist Flight Sergeant Middleton. The aircraft crashed in the sea and the bodies of the front gunner and flight engineer were recovered the following day. Their gallant captain was apparently unable to leave the aircraft and his body has not been traced.

Flight Sergeant Middleton was determined to attack the target regardless of the consequences and not to allow his crew to fall into enemy hands. While all the crew displayed heroism of a high order, the urge to do so came from Flight Sergeant Middleton, whose fortitude and strength of will made possible the completion of the mission. His devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds is unsurpassed in the annals of the Royal Air Force.’

The salute given to Middleton by 149 Squadron

NOTE: The London Gazette states his body was lost but in February 1943, it washed ashore at Shakespeare Cliff, Dover, and he is buried in Beck Row (St John) Churchyard, Suffolk (nearest to RAF Lakenheath). Also, the citation gives his rank as Flight Sergeant but his Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone shows his promotion to Pilot Officer.

His VC is held in the Australian War Memorial Hall of Valour, Canberra, Australia.

Pilot Officer R.H Middleton’s Grave, Beck Row (St John) Churchyard, Suffolk
‘The War Graves Photographic Project’

Credits:

Citation: London Gazette 15 January 1943

Additional biographical details: For Valour: The Air VCs, Chaz Bowyer, Grub Street Publishing.

Photos: RAF Museum