LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant James Chadd RUDD DFM
Service No: 416288
Born: Otley, England, 4 September 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 28 April 1941 (at Adelaide SA)
Unit: No. 78 Squadron (RAF), RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)
Died: Air Operations: Radar Bombing Offensive (No. 78 Squadron Halifax aircraft W7929), Norfolk, 1 May 1943, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Great Bircham (St Mary) Churchyard, Norfolk
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Clement Hugh Chadd Rudd and Constance Irene Rudd, of Burnside, South Australia
Roll of Honour: Adelaide SA
Remembered: Panel 129, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
DFM Citation: On his first solo operation, this Non-Commissioned Officer was Captain and pilot of a Halifax aircraft detailed to attack Stettin on the night of 21st April 1943. When flying at 500 feet at a distance of 220 miles from his target, the starboard inner engine was badly damaged by flak and had to be feathered. Sergeant Rudd carried on, climbing from 500 to 12,000 feet and delivering a successful attack from this height. On returning to base, he carried out a successful landing under conditions of poor visibility. It is considered that this comparatively inexperienced pilot showed great devotion to duty and set a shining example, both to his own and other crews at this Station. He is recommended for the immediate award of the DFM. (LG 14/5/1943) Remarks by Station Commander: This NCO undoubtedly showed tenacity of purpose to a high degree. His determination to carry out the task allotted to him in spite of the possibility of further failure and the heightened of being shot down by enemy fighters because of his inability to keep in the main stream indicates marked courage and resolution, especially as this was his first operational sortie. The recommendation of the Squadron Commander is therefore strongly endorsed. Remarks by Air Officer Commanding: I strongly recommend that the determination and courage shown by this young Captain be recognised by the immediate award of the DFM.
Halifax W7929 took off from RAF Linton-on-Ouse at 2352 hours on the night of 30/1st May 1943, detailed to bomb Essen, Germany. The aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and on reaching the East Anglia coast W7929 crashed at 0447 hours while attempting to make an emergency landing at Docking airfield Norfolk. Five of the crew were killed and two were injured. The pilot had reported that two engines were unserviceable.
The crew members of W7929 were:
Sergeant R Davies (645244) (RAF) Injured
Sergeant Herbert Mason (1380052) (RAFVR)
Sergeant William Oldroyd (1124471) (RAFVR) (Rear Gunner)
Sergeant Ronald James Pike (657492) (RAFVR)
Sergeant J Rashbrook (2206682) (RAF) Injured
Flight Sergeant James Chadd Rudd (416288) (Pilot)
Sergeant Ernest John Wilson (546293) (RAF)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/36/55