Eric James Brindley Nicolson
Encyclopedia
Fully recovered by September 1941, Nicolson was posted to India in 1942. Between August 1943 and August 1944 he was a Squadron Leader and C.O. of No 27 Squadron, flying Bristol Beaufighter
s over Burma. During this time he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
.
As a Wing Commander
, he was killed on 2 May 1945 when a RAF B-24 Liberator
from No. 355 Squadron
, in which he was flying as an observer, caught fire and crashed into the Bay of Bengal.
His body was not recovered.
Nicolson was the only Battle of Britain pilot and the only pilot of RAF Fighter Command
to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War. Nicolson's Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, England.
Bristol Beaufighter
The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
s over Burma. During this time he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel 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...
.
As a Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
, he was killed on 2 May 1945 when a RAF B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
from No. 355 Squadron
No. 355 Squadron RAF
No. 355 Squadron RAF was a long range bomber squadron based in British India from August 1943 until it disbanded in May 1946. The squadron was equipped with Consolidated Liberator aircraft.-History:...
, in which he was flying as an observer, caught fire and crashed into the Bay of Bengal.
Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal , the largest bay in the world, forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. It resembles a triangle in shape, and is bordered mostly by the Eastern Coast of India, southern coast of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the west and Burma and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the...
His body was not recovered.
Nicolson was the only Battle of Britain pilot and the only pilot of RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command was one of three functional commands of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1936 to allow more specialised control of fighter aircraft. It served throughout the Second World War, gaining recognition in the Battle of Britain. The Command continued until 17 November 1943, when...
to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War. Nicolson's Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, England.