John Robert Baldwin
Encyclopedia
Wing Commander John Robert Baldwin, DSO and Bar
, DFC and Bar
AFC
was a British Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
officer and the top scoring fighter ace flying the Hawker Typhoon
exclusively.
He went missing presumed killed in March 1952 during the Korean War
while on officer exchange with the USAF, flying a North American F-86 Sabre.
in November 1942. His first success was damaging a FW 190in December 1942, and on 20 January 1943 he shot down three Bf 109s of JG 26. On 25 March he was shot down into the Channel by a FW 190. On 4 October 1943 he claimed two Bf 109's of JG 2. Baldwin moved from No. 609 Squadron to command No. 198 Squadron RAF
in November 1943. His tour ended in April 1944, and he served with No 2 Group Operations staff. In June 1944 he was appointed to command 146 (Typhoon)
and he claimed a further 3 victories in June and July 1944.
During operations following the invasion of north-west Europe, Baldwin was involved in a "friendly fire
" incident. On 27 August 1944, his wing was requested by the Royal Navy to attack enemy vessels off Le Havre
. Typhoons of No. 263 Squadron RAF
and No. 266 Squadron RAF
attacked the ships. Baldwin requested clarification, as the ships did not appear to be enemy, but he was told to press on. The ships turned out to be the Royal Navy's 1st Minesweeping Flotilla. In the course of the attack, HMS Britomart
and Hussar
were sunk, while Salamander had her stern blown off. The attacks cost 117 sailors killed and 153 wounded. The subsequent court of enquiry identified the fault as lying entirely with the Navy; the officer arranging the minesweeping had not informed others of the area of operations.
In February 1945 he commanded 123 (Typhoon) Wing. On the last days of the war in Europe he was commanding the Wing in operations against enemy shipping in the Baltic Sea. On 3 May 1945 squadrons of 83 Group were attacking enemy shipping, and No. 198, No. 184
, No. 193
, No. 263
, and No. 197
squadrons attacked the passenger liners Cap Arcona and Deutschland
and the freighter Thielbek, which were believed to be used by the Germans to escape. The ships had actually been used by the Germans to house prisoners, many from the concentration camp at Neuengamme. As a result of the attack over 7,000 died.
He was credited with 15 and 1 shared aerial victories destroyed, 4 damaged, and 5 damaged on the ground as well as many ground vehicles.
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, DFC and Bar
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...
AFC
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
was a British Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve consists of a number of groupings of individual military reservists for the management and operation of the Royal Air Force's Air Training Corps and CCF Air Cadet formations, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons , Air Experience Flights, and also to form the...
officer and the top scoring fighter ace flying the Hawker Typhoon
Hawker Typhoon
The Hawker Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber, produced by Hawker Aircraft. While the Typhoon was designed to be a medium-high altitude interceptor, and a direct replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, several design problems were encountered, and the Typhoon never completely satisfied...
exclusively.
He went missing presumed killed in March 1952 during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
while on officer exchange with the USAF, flying a North American F-86 Sabre.
Career
Beginning as ground crew with the RAFVR at the start of the Second World War, Baldwin volunteered for aircrew in 1941 and trained as pilot. He joined No. 609 Squadron RAFNo. 609 Squadron RAF
No. 609 Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, originally formed as a bomber squadron and in World War II active as fighter squadron, nowadays provides personnel to augment and support the operations of the Royal Air Force. The squadron is no longer a flying Squadron, but instead has the role...
in November 1942. His first success was damaging a FW 190in December 1942, and on 20 January 1943 he shot down three Bf 109s of JG 26. On 25 March he was shot down into the Channel by a FW 190. On 4 October 1943 he claimed two Bf 109's of JG 2. Baldwin moved from No. 609 Squadron to command No. 198 Squadron RAF
No. 198 Squadron RAF
No. 198 Squadron was a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron that operated during the Second World War particularly in the ground attack role as the allies advanced through continental Europe.-History:...
in November 1943. His tour ended in April 1944, and he served with No 2 Group Operations staff. In June 1944 he was appointed to command 146 (Typhoon)
No. 146 Wing RAF
No. 146 Wing RAF was a formation of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. It comprised No. 193 Squadron RAF, No. 197 Squadron RAF, No. 257 Squadron RAF, No. 263 Squadron RAF and No. 266 Squadron RAF....
and he claimed a further 3 victories in June and July 1944.
During operations following the invasion of north-west Europe, Baldwin was involved in a "friendly fire
Friendly fire
Friendly fire is inadvertent firing towards one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces, particularly where this results in injury or death. A death resulting from a negligent discharge is not considered friendly fire...
" incident. On 27 August 1944, his wing was requested by the Royal Navy to attack enemy vessels off Le Havre
Le Havre
Le Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...
. Typhoons of No. 263 Squadron RAF
No. 263 Squadron RAF
No 263 Squadron was an Royal Air Force fighter squadron formed in Italy towards the end of World War I. After being disbanded in 1919 it reformed in 1939 flying mainly strike and heavy fighter aircraft until becoming No 1 Squadron in 1958.-First World War:...
and No. 266 Squadron RAF
No. 266 Squadron RAF
-World War I:The squadron was formed from No's 437 and 438 Flights at Mudros, Greece on 27 September 1918 to carry out anti-submarine patrols in that area, flying Short 184s and 320s along with Felixtowe F.3s. In February 1919 it was transferred to the Caucasus on HMS Engadine. It operated from...
attacked the ships. Baldwin requested clarification, as the ships did not appear to be enemy, but he was told to press on. The ships turned out to be the Royal Navy's 1st Minesweeping Flotilla. In the course of the attack, HMS Britomart
HMS Britomart (J22)
HMS Britomart was a of the Royal Navy. She served during the Second World War and was sunk in 1944 in a friendly fire incident.-Construction and commissioning:...
and Hussar
HMS Hussar (J82)
HMS Hussar was a Royal Navy minesweeper. She was sunk by friendly fire from RAF fighters off the coast of Normandy on 27 August 1944 in the same incident as HMS Britomart.-References:...
were sunk, while Salamander had her stern blown off. The attacks cost 117 sailors killed and 153 wounded. The subsequent court of enquiry identified the fault as lying entirely with the Navy; the officer arranging the minesweeping had not informed others of the area of operations.
In February 1945 he commanded 123 (Typhoon) Wing. On the last days of the war in Europe he was commanding the Wing in operations against enemy shipping in the Baltic Sea. On 3 May 1945 squadrons of 83 Group were attacking enemy shipping, and No. 198, No. 184
No. 184 Squadron RAF
-History:No.184 Squadron was formed at RAF Colerne on 1 December 1942, as a fighter bomber unit equipped with the Hawker Hurricane. Initially, Mark IIDs with 40 mm anti-tank cannon were received and the squadron trained with the Army in ground attack practice guns, bombs and rockets, replaced...
, No. 193
No. 193 Squadron RAF
No. 193 Squadron RAF was a fighter squadron of the Royal Air Force during World War II.-History:No. 193 Squadron was formed at RAF Harrowbeer, Devon on 18 December 1942 as a fighter/ground attack unit...
, No. 263
No. 263 Squadron RAF
No 263 Squadron was an Royal Air Force fighter squadron formed in Italy towards the end of World War I. After being disbanded in 1919 it reformed in 1939 flying mainly strike and heavy fighter aircraft until becoming No 1 Squadron in 1958.-First World War:...
, and No. 197
No. 197 Squadron RAF
No. 197 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed in World War I and reformed as a fighter-bomber unit in World War II.-Formation and World War I:No...
squadrons attacked the passenger liners Cap Arcona and Deutschland
SS Deutschland (1923)
SS Deutschland Sometimes called Deutschland IV to distinguish from others of the name was a 21,046 gross registered ton German HAPAG ocean liner which was sunk in a British air attack in 1945, with great loss of life....
and the freighter Thielbek, which were believed to be used by the Germans to escape. The ships had actually been used by the Germans to house prisoners, many from the concentration camp at Neuengamme. As a result of the attack over 7,000 died.
He was credited with 15 and 1 shared aerial victories destroyed, 4 damaged, and 5 damaged on the ground as well as many ground vehicles.
Honours and awards
- 23 February 1943 - Flying Officer John Robert Baldwin (122337) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 609 SquadronNo. 609 Squadron RAFNo. 609 Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, originally formed as a bomber squadron and in World War II active as fighter squadron, nowadays provides personnel to augment and support the operations of the Royal Air Force. The squadron is no longer a flying Squadron, but instead has the role...
is awarded a Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished 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...
:
- 14 January 1944 - Bar to DFC
- 10 March 1944 - Acting Squadron Leader John Robert Baldwin, DFC (12233), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 198 SquadronNo. 198 Squadron RAFNo. 198 Squadron was a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron that operated during the Second World War particularly in the ground attack role as the allies advanced through continental Europe.-History:...
is awwarded the Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy:
- 29 December 1944 - Acting Wing Commander John Robert Baldwin, DSO, DFC (122337) is awarded a bar to the Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
.
- 24 January 1947 - Wing Commander John Robert Baldwin, DSO, DFC (122337), Royal Air Force is allowed to wear the Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm conferred by the Belgian Government in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war.
- 31 October 1947 - Wing Commander John Robert Baldwin, DSO, DFC (122337), Royal Air Force is allowed to wear the decoration of a Grand Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau conferred by the Queen of the Netherlands in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war.
- 1 January 1948 - Acting Wing Commander John Robert Baldwin, DSO, DFC (122337) is awarded the Air Force CrossAir Force Cross (United Kingdom)The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
- 30 October 1953 - Squadron Leader John Robert Baldwin, DSO, DFC, AFC (122337) Royal Air Force (missing) is allowed to wear the Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
conferred by the President of the United States in recognition of valuable services rendered during operations in Korea.