For Valour : Acting Squadron Leader Robert Anthony Maurice Palmer (115772) VC DFC*

December 23, 1944, over Germany

Acting Squadron Leader Robert Anthony Maurice Palmer (115772) VC DFC*, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Acting Squadron Leader Robert Anthony Maurice
Palmer (115772) VC DFC*, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
7 July 1920 – 23 December 1944

Bomber Command was in action from the beginning to the end of the war, predominantly attacking strategic German targets. Initially, the aircraft were literally groping in the dark, having great difficulty navigating by dead-reckoning in bad weather and the blackout in the face of German flak [Flieger Abwehr Kanonen, Anti Aircraft Artillery] and night fighters. Technology, in the form of electronic navigation aids (Gee, Gee-H, Oboe, LORAN and H2S) had by 1944 greatly improved navigational accuracy, as did the introduction of new tactics in the shape of Path Finder Force (PFF) and Master Bombers. But accuracy depended upon the skill and courage of the PFF pilots finding and marking the targets for the following Main Force to strike.

Front of a Victoria CrossOn 16 December 1944, the Germans launched a massive and wholly unexpected attack named ‘Felb Wacht am Rhein’ (‘Operation Watch on the Rhine’) in the Ardennes (sometimes known as the ‘Battle of the Bulge’) in an attempt to split Allied armies and recapture the port of Antwerp. Bomber Command was called upon to attack German communications, especially railway marshalling yards, to blunt their advance.

Squadron Leader Palmer commanded 109 Squadron of Mosquitoes of the Path Finder Force (PFF), based at RAF Little Staughton. On 23 December, Bomber Command ordered a daylight raid on railway marshalling yards near Cologne by 27 Lancasters and 3 Mosquitoes from 35, 105, 109, and 582 Squadrons, all part of the PFF. Palmer was appointed Master Bomber and for this, his 111th operational sortie, he elected to fly a Lancaster instead of his normal Mosquito. He took off at 1027 hrs. Of the 30 aircraft despatched, 10 were lost and the remaining 20 were all damaged by flak and fighters.

A very comprehensive report of the raid entitled ‘By Oboe Victor to Cologne/Gremberg’ was written by Bill Lamming DFM of the Little Staughton Pathfinder Association, a copy of which can be studied in the Museum’s Reading Room (reference X002-7198).

The London Gazette FRIDAY, 23 MARCH, 1945

‘The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the under-mentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery: — Acting Squadron Leader Robert Anthony Maurice PALMER, D.F.C. (115772), R.A.F.V.R., 109 Squadron (Missing). This officer has completed 110 bombing missions. Most of them involved deep penetration of heavily defended territory; many were low-level ” marking ” operations against vital targets; all were executed with tenacity, high courage and great accuracy.

He first went on operations in January, 1941. He took part in the first 1,000 bomber raid against Cologne in 1942. He was one of the first pilots to drop a 4,000 Ib. bomb on the Reich. It was known that he could be relied on to press home his attack whatever the opposition and to bomb with great accuracy. He was always selected, therefore, to take part in special operations against vital targets.

The finest example of his courage and determination was on 23rd December, 1944, when he led a formation of Lancasters to attack the marshalling yards at Cologne in daylight. He had the task of marking the target and his formation had been ordered to bomb as soon as the bombs had gone from his, the leading aircraft. The leader’s duties during the final bombing run were exacting and demanded coolness and resolution.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Bomber in flight. An Avro Lancaster (RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)

To achieve accuracy he would have to fly at an exact height and air speed on a steady course, regardless of opposition. Some minutes before the target was reached, his aircraft came under heavy anti-aircraft fire, shells burst all around, two engines were set on fire and there were flames and smoke in the nose and in the bomb bay. Enemy fighters now attacked in force.

Squadron Leader Palmer disdained the possibility of taking avoiding action. He knew that if he diverged the least bit from his course, he would be unable to utilise the special equipment to the best advantage. He was determined to complete the run and provide an accurate and easily seen aiming-point for the other bombers. He ignored the double risk of fire and explosion in his aircraft and kept on.

With its engines developing unequal power, an immense effort was needed to keep the damaged aircraft on a straight course. Nevertheless, he made a perfect approach and his bombs hit the target. His aircraft was last seen spiralling to earth in flames. Such was the strength of the opposition that more than half of his formation failed to return. Squadron Leader Palmer was an outstanding pilot. He displayed conspicuous bravery. His record of prolonged and heroic endeavour is beyond praise.’

Palmer's Grave '© The War Graves Photographic Project'Palmer’s Grave © The War Graves Photographic Project

The delay between the action and the award being Gazetted was because the only witness to Palmer’s bravery was the sole survivor of his aircrew, who parachuted to safety but was captured and could only tell the story after his release from a PoW camp.

Although the London Gazette citation listed Palmer as ‘Missing’, he was in fact initially buried near the crash site at Hoffnungsthal Village Cemetery; after the war, he was exhumed and is now buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Rheinberg War Cemetery.

NOTE: the Gazette citation refers to ‘special equipment’. This was Oboe (as in the Pathfinder pamphlet’s title mentioned above), a highly accurate electronic guidance system but which did require flying a very precise curving track for some minutes. A full technical explanation is in the same pamphlet.

The location of his VC is not recorded.

Credits:

Citation: London Gazette 23 March 1945
Additional biographical details: For Valour: The Air VCs Chaz Bowyer, Grub Street Publishing.

About the Author

Norman Brice: Volunteer

Volunteer Norman Brice

It all started very many years ago when, lying in my pram, I was awoken by what I later knew as Spitfires on their finals to RAF Biggin Hill, just a handful of miles away. As a schoolboy I was captivated by the annual September Battle of Britain Days at Biggin Hill with a vast range of visiting aircraft, including all three V-Bombers in gleaming anti-flash white.

Fast forward very many years past retirement I joined the RAF Museum London as a volunteer as a Vulcan and Cold War tour guide.