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Johnnie Johnson (pilot)
Encyclopedia
Air Vice Marshal James Edgar "Johnnie" Johnson CB
, CBE
, DSO
& Two Bars
, DFC
& Bar
(9 March 1915 – 30 January 2001) was a Royal Air Force
(RAF) pilot
who, during the Second World War, claimed 34 victories over enemy aircraft, as well as seven shared victories, three shared probables, ten damaged, three shared damaged and one destroyed on the ground. This score made him the highest scoring Western Allied
fighter ace
against the German
Luftwaffe
, thus becoming the British
, and Western Allied flying ace
, with the greatest number of victories in the European War
. Only Marmaduke Pattle
claimed more victories overall than any other Western Allied pilot in Europe, but over half of his claims were made against the Italian
Regia Aeronautica
(Italian Royal Air Force) and a significant number of his claims cannot be verified.
Johnson grew up and was educated in the East Midlands
where he qualified as an Engineer
. A keen outdoor personality, Johnson hunted and played sports. During the course of these pursuits he sustained a collar bone injury that was to complicate his ambitions of becoming a fighter pilot. Johnson had been interested in aviation
since his youth and applied to join the RAF. He was initially rejected by the RAF on medical grounds, but after the outbreak of war on 3 September 1939, and the need for pilots in RAF Fighter Command
was urgent, and Johnson was accepted. However, his injury problems resurfaced during his early training and flying career and he missed the battles in the Netherlands
, Belgium
, and France
. He also failed to take part in the vital Battle of Britain
. In 1941 Johnson began flying regularly and took part in the offensive sweeps over occupied Europe from 1941–44. Johnson was involved in heavy aerial fighting during this period. His combat tour included the Battle of Normandy
, Operation Market Garden
and the Battle of the Bulge
. Johnson scored his last victory in September 1944, but he continued to fly combat missions to the last day of the war. Johnson continued his career in the RAF after the war, and served in the Korean War
. Johnson eventually retired in 1966, with the rank of Air Vice Marshal. He died in 2001.
, Leicestershire
, England
, the son of local policeman Alfred Johnson. He was later educated at Loughborough Grammar School
. During his time there he was expelled after being found in the school's swimming pool with a young lady, which was very taboo
at the time. Among his hobbies was a mixture of hunting and sports. Johnson would hunt rabbit
s and bird
s in the local countryside. Johnson continued to play rugby
in his spare time as well. In 1938 Johnson sustained a broken collar bone playing for Chingford Rugby Club near the Epping Forest
. Johnson was treated but later found out the wound had been wrongly set and thus did not heal properly which would cause him difficulty. Soon afterwards, Johnson attended University of Nottingham
, at the latter of which he qualified as a civil engineer
aged 22. Keen to follow up his interest in aviation and forge a career, Johnson applied to join the Auxiliary Air Force
, but the bone injury meant he was rejected on medical grounds; he then joined the Leicestershire Yeomanry
, where the injury was not a bar to recruitment. As the war clouds gathered in the aftermath of the Munich Crisis, however, the standards of the RAF were relaxed as the service expanded and brought in much needed combat personnel. Johnson applied again to join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
and was accepted. During a period of leave, in November 1942, he married Pauline Ingate and they had two sons.
in Wales
. During his training flights, the inexperienced Johnson stalled and crashed a Spitfire. Johnson had his harness straps on too loose, and wrenched his shoulders - revealing that his earlier rugby-derived injury was not successfully resolved. The Spitfire did a ground loop, ripping off one of the undercarriage legs and forcing the other up through the port mainplane. The Commanding Officer excused Johnson, for the "short airfield" was difficult to land on for an inexperienced pilot. However Johnson got the impression he would be watched closely, and felt that if he made another mistake he would be "certainly washed out".
Johnson had tried to pack the injured shoulder with wool, held in place by adhesive tape. He also tightened the straps to reduce vibrations. Johnson found he had lost his "feel" in his right hand, and it became numb. When he practised dives, the pressure also aggravated his shoulder. He often tried to fly using his left hand only, but the Spitfire would have to be handled with both hands during anything other than simple manoeuvres.
After training, he posted to No. 19 Squadron as a probationary Pilot Officer
in the following August, though he was soon transferred to 616 Squadron
at Coltishall
. At this point, Johnson had "only" flown 205 hours, of which 23 hours were flying Spitfires. However his injury continued to trouble him, and he found flying high performance aircraft like the Spitfire extremely painful. RAF medics gave him two options; he could have an operation that would correct the problem, but this meant he would miss the Battle of Britain
, or becoming a training instructor flying the light de Havilland Tiger Moth
. Johnson opted for the operation. Johnson had hoped for discreet treatment, but word soon reached the C.O, and Johnson was taken off flying duties and sent to the RAF Hospital at Rauceby. He did not return to the squadron until December 1940.
Douglas Bader
. Johnson flew various marks of the Supermarine Spitfire
throughout the war and was one of that fighter's greatest exponents. Proving himself both a capable fighter pilot and excellent formation leader, Johnson opened his account by claiming a Messerschmitt Bf 109
destroyed on 26 June 1941. Johnson took part in the 9 August 1941 mission in which Douglas Bader was lost over France. During the mission he destroyed a solitary Messerschmitt Bf 109.
Flying extensively through the summer fighter offensives, he was quickly promoted and by June 1942 Johnson was in command of 610 Squadron
. Johnson led his squadron through Operation Jubilee the Allied amphibious assault on the port of Dieppe. After shooting down a Fw 190, Johnson had what he considered his most difficult combat of the war, embroiled in an exhausting and hectic dogfight with a single Fw 190, and managing to escape only by power-diving through the AA barrage over the Allied destroyer screen.
In March 1943, now an acting Wing Commander, he took over the Canadian Wing stationed at RAF Kenley
. Despite initial resistance to a British Wing Leader from his tough, obstinate Canadian charges, he quickly won them over with his sheer force of personality. The unit, now flying the Spitfire Mk. IX, became one of the highest scoring fighter wings. Johnson chose his radio call-sign at this time as "Greycap." During offensive sweeps over Europe and as escorts to the USAAF heavy bomber streams, he personally claimed 14 victories during April—September 1943. During this period, on 4 June 1943, he was awarded the DSO for at least 13 victories. Before leaving combat operations for six months, Johnson was awarded his first Bar to the DSO for adding a further seven aerial victories by 24 September 1943. Johnson's tour ended in September 1943 with a score of 25 kills. At this time he had been given a substantive promotion to Squadron Leader, being given a desk job at No.11 Group Headquarters until 2 March 1944, when he was put in charge of 144 (RCAF) Wing.
, shooting down an Fw 190 while four more fell to his Wing. Two days later Johnson destroyed two more Bf 109s over the same area, equalling Sailor Malan's record score of 32 kills.
On 30 June 1944, Johnson scored his 33rd aerial victory, yet another Bf 109. Johnson had now passed Sailor Malan's record total of 32 confirmed kills. However Johnson considered Malan's exploits to be better. Johnson points out, when Malan fought (during 1940—41), he did so outnumbered, and had matched the enemy even then. Johnson said:
The Wing was the first to be stationed on French soil following the invasion. With their radius of action now far extended compared to the squadrons still in the UK, the Wing scored heavily through the summer. After the Normandy break-out, 144 Wing was disbanded, Johnson being given command of 127 Wing.
On 21 August 1944, Johnson was leading No. 443 Squadron on a patrol over the Seine
, near Paris
. Johnson bounced a formation of Focke-Wulf Fw 190
s, shooting down two, which were recorded on the cine camera. Climbing back to his starting point at 8,000 ft, Johnson attempted to join a formation of six aircraft, he thought were Spitfires. The fighters were actually Messerschmitt Bf 109s. Johnson escaped by doing a series of steep climbs, during which he nearly stalled and blacked out. He eventually evaded the Messerschmitts, which had been trying to flank him on either side, while two more stuck to his tail. Johnson's Spitfire IX was hit by enemy aircraft fire for the only time, taking cannon shells in the rudder and elevators.
Johnson's last victory of the war was on 27 September 1944 over Nijmegen. His flight bounced a formation of nine Bf 109s, one of which Johnson shot down. During this combat Squadron leader Henry "Wally" MacLeod
, of the Royal Canadian Air Force
, and his squadron had joined Johnson.
During the action Wally went missing. Johnson made repeated calls over the R/T, but Wally did not answer.
After landing, Johnson could see Wally had not returned. Johnson "interrogated", the rest of the pilots. One of them had seen Wally chasing after a lone Messerschmitt. Johnson, knowing McLeod well, believed he would have attacked regardless of the enemy fighters advantage:
After the war, Johnson learned that Wally had been found in the wreckage of his Spitfire, near the scene of the battle. His score stood at 21 confirmed victories, with four probable and 10 damaged.
His wartime record was 515 sorties flown, 34 aircraft claimed destroyed with a further seven shared destroyed (totalling 3.5 kills), three probable destroyed, ten damaged, and one shared destroyed on the ground. All his "kills" were fighters. As a Wing Leader Johnson was able to use his initials JEJ in place of squadron code letters; he scored the bulk of his victories flying two Mk IXs: EN398/JEJ in which he shot down 12 aircraft and shared five plus six and 1 shared damaged while commanding the Kenley Wing: MK392/JEJ, an L.F Mk. IX, 12 aircraft plus one shared destroyed on the ground. His last victory of the war was scored in this aircraft. He ended the war flying a Mk XIVE, MV268/JEJ. His post-war mount was MV257/JEJ; it was the last Spitfire to carry his initials.
During the last week of the war, and for the duration of hostilities in May 1945, Johnson's squadron flew patrols over Berlin and Kiel. During a flight over central Germany looking for jet fighters, Johnson's squadron attacked Luftwaffe airfields. On one sortie his unit strafed
and destroyed 11 Bf 109s that were preparing to take off. On one mission an enemy transport was sighted, but took evasive action and retreated back to German held territory. Johnson's pilots shot it down. On another occasion, however, Johnson intercepted a flight of four Fw 190s. The German fighters waggled their wings to signal non hostile intent and Johnson's unit escorted them to an RAF airfield.
at RAF Wildenrath
in the West Germany
from 1952–1954. He also commanded a force of V Bomber
s based at RAF Cottesmore
from 1957–1960.
. After an exchange posting to the USA, he flew F-86 Sabres with Tactical Air Command
and went on to serve in the Korean War
flying the F-80 Shooting Star. In 1952 he became Air Officer Commanding
(AOC) RAF Wildenrath
. From 1954-57 he was Deputy Director, Operations at the Air Ministry. In 1957 he became Air Officer Commanding
(AOC) RAF Cottesmore
. An Air Commodore by 1960, his next job was SASO at HQ No. 3 Group. By the time of retirement in 1966 Johnson was an Air Vice Marshal and his last active post was AOC Air Forces Middle East.
for the County of Leicestershire
in 1967. He established the Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust in 1969.
Johnson died on 30 January 2001 aged 85 years from cancer
.
|-
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DSO
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...
& Two Bars
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
, DFC
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...
& Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(9 March 1915 – 30 January 2001) was a Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
who, during the Second World War, claimed 34 victories over enemy aircraft, as well as seven shared victories, three shared probables, ten damaged, three shared damaged and one destroyed on the ground. This score made him the highest scoring Western Allied
Western Allies
The Western Allies were a political and geographic grouping among the Allied Powers of the Second World War. It generally includes the United Kingdom and British Commonwealth, the United States, France and various other European and Latin American countries, but excludes China, the Soviet Union,...
fighter ace
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
against the German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
, thus becoming the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and Western Allied flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
, with the greatest number of victories in the European War
European Theatre of World War II
The European Theatre of World War II was a huge area of heavy fighting across Europe from Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 until the end of the war with the German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945...
. Only Marmaduke Pattle
Marmaduke Pattle
Squadron Leader Marmaduke Thomas St. John "Pat" Pattle DFC & Bar was a South African-born Second World War flying ace for the Royal Air Force. Pattle was a fighter ace with a very high score, and is sometimes noted as being the highest-scoring British and Commonwealth pilot of the Second World War...
claimed more victories overall than any other Western Allied pilot in Europe, but over half of his claims were made against the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Regia Aeronautica
Regia Aeronautica
The Italian Royal Air Force was the name of the air force of the Kingdom of Italy. It was established as a service independent of the Royal Italian Army from 1923 until 1946...
(Italian Royal Air Force) and a significant number of his claims cannot be verified.
Johnson grew up and was educated in the East Midlands
East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
where he qualified as an Engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
. A keen outdoor personality, Johnson hunted and played sports. During the course of these pursuits he sustained a collar bone injury that was to complicate his ambitions of becoming a fighter pilot. Johnson had been interested in aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
since his youth and applied to join the RAF. He was initially rejected by the RAF on medical grounds, but after the outbreak of war on 3 September 1939, and the need for pilots in 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...
was urgent, and Johnson was accepted. However, his injury problems resurfaced during his early training and flying career and he missed the battles in the Netherlands
Battle of the Netherlands
The Battle of the Netherlands was part of Case Yellow , the German invasion of the Low Countries and France during World War II. The battle lasted from 10 May 1940 until 14 May 1940 when the main Dutch forces surrendered...
, Belgium
Battle of Belgium
The Battle of Belgium or Belgian Campaign formed part of the greater Battle of France, an offensive campaign by Germany during the Second World War...
, and France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
. He also failed to take part in the vital Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. In 1941 Johnson began flying regularly and took part in the offensive sweeps over occupied Europe from 1941–44. Johnson was involved in heavy aerial fighting during this period. His combat tour included the Battle of Normandy
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
, Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
and the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
. Johnson scored his last victory in September 1944, but he continued to fly combat missions to the last day of the war. Johnson continued his career in the RAF after the war, and served in 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...
. Johnson eventually retired in 1966, with the rank of Air Vice Marshal. He died in 2001.
Personal life
Johnson was born in Barrow upon SoarBarrow upon Soar
Barrow upon Soar is a large village in northern Leicestershire, in the Soar Valley between Leicester and Loughborough. It has a population of around 5,000 and is part of the Charnwood local government district....
, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the son of local policeman Alfred Johnson. He was later educated at Loughborough Grammar School
Loughborough Grammar School
Loughborough Grammar School founded in 1495 by Thomas Burton, is an independent school for boys in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is a day school for over 1100 pupils and a boarding school for nearly 100. It is one of three schools known as the Loughborough Endowed Schools, along with...
. During his time there he was expelled after being found in the school's swimming pool with a young lady, which was very taboo
Taboo
A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society...
at the time. Among his hobbies was a mixture of hunting and sports. Johnson would hunt rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
s and bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s in the local countryside. Johnson continued to play rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
in his spare time as well. In 1938 Johnson sustained a broken collar bone playing for Chingford Rugby Club near the Epping Forest
Epping Forest
Epping Forest is an area of ancient woodland in south-east England, straddling the border between north-east Greater London and Essex. It is a former royal forest, and is managed by the City of London Corporation....
. Johnson was treated but later found out the wound had been wrongly set and thus did not heal properly which would cause him difficulty. Soon afterwards, Johnson attended University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
, at the latter of which he qualified as a civil engineer
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
aged 22. Keen to follow up his interest in aviation and forge a career, Johnson applied to join the Auxiliary Air Force
Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
, but the bone injury meant he was rejected on medical grounds; he then joined the Leicestershire Yeomanry
Leicestershire Yeomanry
The Leicestershire Yeomanry was a yeomanry regiment of the British Army, first raised in 1794 and again in 1803, which provided cavalry and mounted infantry in the South African War and First World War and provided two field artillery regiments of the Royal Artillery in the Second World War,...
, where the injury was not a bar to recruitment. As the war clouds gathered in the aftermath of the Munich Crisis, however, the standards of the RAF were relaxed as the service expanded and brought in much needed combat personnel. Johnson applied again to join the 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...
and was accepted. During a period of leave, in November 1942, he married Pauline Ingate and they had two sons.
Training: 1939–1940
In August 1939, Johnson was called up. His initial training took place at 22 EFTS, Cambridge, then moving to 5 FTS at Sealand before completing training at 7 OTU (Operational Training Unit) - RAF HawardenHawarden Airport
Hawarden Airport , is a small airport in Hawarden situated in North East Wales close to the border with England and west southwest of the city of Chester. The airport is owned and operated by BAE Systems. A long term tenancy agreement has been signed with Airbus UK, giving rights as the sole...
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. During his training flights, the inexperienced Johnson stalled and crashed a Spitfire. Johnson had his harness straps on too loose, and wrenched his shoulders - revealing that his earlier rugby-derived injury was not successfully resolved. The Spitfire did a ground loop, ripping off one of the undercarriage legs and forcing the other up through the port mainplane. The Commanding Officer excused Johnson, for the "short airfield" was difficult to land on for an inexperienced pilot. However Johnson got the impression he would be watched closely, and felt that if he made another mistake he would be "certainly washed out".
Johnson had tried to pack the injured shoulder with wool, held in place by adhesive tape. He also tightened the straps to reduce vibrations. Johnson found he had lost his "feel" in his right hand, and it became numb. When he practised dives, the pressure also aggravated his shoulder. He often tried to fly using his left hand only, but the Spitfire would have to be handled with both hands during anything other than simple manoeuvres.
After training, he posted to No. 19 Squadron as a probationary Pilot Officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
in the following August, though he was soon transferred to 616 Squadron
No. 616 Squadron RAF
No. 616 Squadron was a unit of the British Auxiliary Air Force and later the Royal Auxiliary Air Force between 1938 and 1957.-Formation:...
at Coltishall
Coltishall
Coltishall is a village on the River Bure, west of Wroxham, in the English county of Norfolk, within the Norfolk Broads.Coltishall was a place of note even when the Domesday Book was compiled. For 250 years it was a centre of the malting industry...
. At this point, Johnson had "only" flown 205 hours, of which 23 hours were flying Spitfires. However his injury continued to trouble him, and he found flying high performance aircraft like the Spitfire extremely painful. RAF medics gave him two options; he could have an operation that would correct the problem, but this meant he would miss the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
, or becoming a training instructor flying the light de Havilland Tiger Moth
De Havilland Tiger Moth
The de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952, when many of the surplus aircraft...
. Johnson opted for the operation. Johnson had hoped for discreet treatment, but word soon reached the C.O, and Johnson was taken off flying duties and sent to the RAF Hospital at Rauceby. He did not return to the squadron until December 1940.
Fighter Sweeps: 1941–1943
Johnson returned to operational flying in early 1941, and with 616 Squadron forming part of the Tangmere Wing. Johnson often found himself flying alongside Wing CommanderWing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
Douglas Bader
Douglas Bader
Group Captain Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, FRAeS, DL was a Royal Air Force fighter ace during the Second World War. He was credited with 20 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged.Bader joined the...
. Johnson flew various marks of the Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
throughout the war and was one of that fighter's greatest exponents. Proving himself both a capable fighter pilot and excellent formation leader, Johnson opened his account by claiming a Messerschmitt Bf 109
Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called Me 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser during the early to mid 1930s...
destroyed on 26 June 1941. Johnson took part in the 9 August 1941 mission in which Douglas Bader was lost over France. During the mission he destroyed a solitary Messerschmitt Bf 109.
Flying extensively through the summer fighter offensives, he was quickly promoted and by June 1942 Johnson was in command of 610 Squadron
No. 610 Squadron RAF
No. 610 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was as a Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force, its pilots were initially part timers who would spend their weekends and spare time flying and practicing combat maneuvers. The squadron was named the "County of Chester" and adopted the motto "Alifero tollitur...
. Johnson led his squadron through Operation Jubilee the Allied amphibious assault on the port of Dieppe. After shooting down a Fw 190, Johnson had what he considered his most difficult combat of the war, embroiled in an exhausting and hectic dogfight with a single Fw 190, and managing to escape only by power-diving through the AA barrage over the Allied destroyer screen.
In March 1943, now an acting Wing Commander, he took over the Canadian Wing stationed at RAF Kenley
RAF Kenley
The former Royal Air Force Station Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley was a station of the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and the RAF in World War II. It is located near Kenley, London, England.-History:...
. Despite initial resistance to a British Wing Leader from his tough, obstinate Canadian charges, he quickly won them over with his sheer force of personality. The unit, now flying the Spitfire Mk. IX, became one of the highest scoring fighter wings. Johnson chose his radio call-sign at this time as "Greycap." During offensive sweeps over Europe and as escorts to the USAAF heavy bomber streams, he personally claimed 14 victories during April—September 1943. During this period, on 4 June 1943, he was awarded the DSO for at least 13 victories. Before leaving combat operations for six months, Johnson was awarded his first Bar to the DSO for adding a further seven aerial victories by 24 September 1943. Johnson's tour ended in September 1943 with a score of 25 kills. At this time he had been given a substantive promotion to Squadron Leader, being given a desk job at No.11 Group Headquarters until 2 March 1944, when he was put in charge of 144 (RCAF) Wing.
Normandy and Germany: 1944–1945
Johnson scored his 28th victory on 5 May 1944 and became the highest scoring ace still on operations. After the D-Day landings in France in June 1944, Johnson added further to his tally, claiming his last victories in March—September 1944. It was during this time that Johnson scored reached 30 aerial victories after bouncing a formation of Bf 109s and Fw 190s over ArgentanArgentan
Argentan is a commune, and the seat of two cantons and of an arrondissement in the Orne department in north-western France.Argentan is located NE of Rennes, ENE of the Mont Saint-Michel, SE of Cherbourg, SSE of Caen, SW of Rouen and N of Le Mans....
, shooting down an Fw 190 while four more fell to his Wing. Two days later Johnson destroyed two more Bf 109s over the same area, equalling Sailor Malan's record score of 32 kills.
On 30 June 1944, Johnson scored his 33rd aerial victory, yet another Bf 109. Johnson had now passed Sailor Malan's record total of 32 confirmed kills. However Johnson considered Malan's exploits to be better. Johnson points out, when Malan fought (during 1940—41), he did so outnumbered, and had matched the enemy even then. Johnson said:
Malan had fought with great distinction when the odds were against him. He matched his handful of Spitfires against greatly superior numbers of Luftwaffe fighters and bombers. He had been forced to fight a defensive battle over southern England and often at a tactical disadvantage, when the top-cover Messerschmitts [Bf 109s and Bf 110s] were high in the sun. I had always fought on the offensive, and, after 1941, I had either a squadron, a wing or sometimes two wings behind me.
The Wing was the first to be stationed on French soil following the invasion. With their radius of action now far extended compared to the squadrons still in the UK, the Wing scored heavily through the summer. After the Normandy break-out, 144 Wing was disbanded, Johnson being given command of 127 Wing.
On 21 August 1944, Johnson was leading No. 443 Squadron on a patrol over the Seine
Seine
The Seine is a -long river and an important commercial waterway within the Paris Basin in the north of France. It rises at Saint-Seine near Dijon in northeastern France in the Langres plateau, flowing through Paris and into the English Channel at Le Havre . It is navigable by ocean-going vessels...
, near Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Johnson bounced a formation of Focke-Wulf Fw 190
Focke-Wulf Fw 190
The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger was a German Second World War single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed by Kurt Tank in the late 1930s. Powered by a radial engine, the 190 had ample power and was able to lift larger loads than its well-known counterpart, the Messerschmitt Bf 109...
s, shooting down two, which were recorded on the cine camera. Climbing back to his starting point at 8,000 ft, Johnson attempted to join a formation of six aircraft, he thought were Spitfires. The fighters were actually Messerschmitt Bf 109s. Johnson escaped by doing a series of steep climbs, during which he nearly stalled and blacked out. He eventually evaded the Messerschmitts, which had been trying to flank him on either side, while two more stuck to his tail. Johnson's Spitfire IX was hit by enemy aircraft fire for the only time, taking cannon shells in the rudder and elevators.
Johnson's last victory of the war was on 27 September 1944 over Nijmegen. His flight bounced a formation of nine Bf 109s, one of which Johnson shot down. During this combat Squadron leader Henry "Wally" MacLeod
Henry Wallace McLeod
Flight Lieutenant "Wally" Henry Wallace McLeod DSO, DFC and Bar RCAF was a Canadian who flew for the RCAF as a fighter pilot during the Second World War. He achieved a total of 21 enemy aircraft destroyed, three probably destroyed, and 11 damaged, and one shared damaged...
, of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
, and his squadron had joined Johnson.
During the action Wally went missing. Johnson made repeated calls over the R/T, but Wally did not answer.
After landing, Johnson could see Wally had not returned. Johnson "interrogated", the rest of the pilots. One of them had seen Wally chasing after a lone Messerschmitt. Johnson, knowing McLeod well, believed he would have attacked regardless of the enemy fighters advantage:
I feel certain that he wouldn't have let go of the 109 until the issue had been decided one way or the other. There was no other aircraft in the area [that Johnson had seen] and they must have fought it out together, probably above the cloud. To start with he would have been at a disadvantage, for the 109 was already several thousand feet higher.
I think the Messerschmitt got him. It was always all or nothing for Wally.
After the war, Johnson learned that Wally had been found in the wreckage of his Spitfire, near the scene of the battle. His score stood at 21 confirmed victories, with four probable and 10 damaged.
His wartime record was 515 sorties flown, 34 aircraft claimed destroyed with a further seven shared destroyed (totalling 3.5 kills), three probable destroyed, ten damaged, and one shared destroyed on the ground. All his "kills" were fighters. As a Wing Leader Johnson was able to use his initials JEJ in place of squadron code letters; he scored the bulk of his victories flying two Mk IXs: EN398/JEJ in which he shot down 12 aircraft and shared five plus six and 1 shared damaged while commanding the Kenley Wing: MK392/JEJ, an L.F Mk. IX, 12 aircraft plus one shared destroyed on the ground. His last victory of the war was scored in this aircraft. He ended the war flying a Mk XIVE, MV268/JEJ. His post-war mount was MV257/JEJ; it was the last Spitfire to carry his initials.
During the last week of the war, and for the duration of hostilities in May 1945, Johnson's squadron flew patrols over Berlin and Kiel. During a flight over central Germany looking for jet fighters, Johnson's squadron attacked Luftwaffe airfields. On one sortie his unit strafed
Strafing
Strafing is the practice of attacking ground targets from low-flying aircraft using aircraft-mounted automatic weapons. This means, that although ground attack using automatic weapons fire is very often accompanied with bombing or rocket fire, the term "strafing" does not specifically include the...
and destroyed 11 Bf 109s that were preparing to take off. On one mission an enemy transport was sighted, but took evasive action and retreated back to German held territory. Johnson's pilots shot it down. On another occasion, however, Johnson intercepted a flight of four Fw 190s. The German fighters waggled their wings to signal non hostile intent and Johnson's unit escorted them to an RAF airfield.
Inter-bellum
In the aftermath of the war Johnson commanded RAF Second Tactical Air ForceRAF Second Tactical Air Force
The former RAF Second Tactical Air Force was one of three tactical air forces within the Royal Air Force during and after the Second World War...
at RAF Wildenrath
RAF Wildenrath
The former Royal Air Force Station Wildenrath, commonly known as RAF Wildenrath, was a Royal Air Force military airbase which opened on 15 January 1952. Wildenrath was the first of four 'Clutch' stations built for the RAF in Germany during the early 1950s...
in the West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
from 1952–1954. He also commanded a force of V Bomber
V bomber
The term V bomber was used for the Royal Air Force aircraft during the 1950s and 1960s that comprised the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear strike force known officially as the V-force or Bomber Command Main Force...
s based at RAF Cottesmore
RAF Cottesmore
RAF Cottesmore was a Royal Air Force station in Rutland, England, situated between Cottesmore and Market Overton. The station housed all the operational Harrier GR9 squadrons in the Royal Air Force, and No 122 Expeditionary Air Wing...
from 1957–1960.
Korean War
Johnson was given a permanent commission by the RAF after the war (initially as a Squadron Leader, though retaining his wartime substantive rank as Wing Commander, and later confirmed as a Wing Commander), becoming OC Tactics at the Central Fighter EstablishmentCentral Fighter Establishment
The Central Fighter Establishment was a Royal Air Force formation that dealt with the development Fighter aircraft tactics. It also tested new fighter aircraft and equipment. It also dealt with the training of squadron and flight commanders. It was formed on 1 October 1944 as part of No. 12 Group...
. After an exchange posting to the USA, he flew F-86 Sabres with Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
and went on to serve in 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...
flying the F-80 Shooting Star. In 1952 he became Air Officer Commanding
Air Officer Commanding
Air Officer Commanding is a title given in the air forces of Commonwealth nations to an air officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, an air vice marshal might be the AOC 38 Group...
(AOC) RAF Wildenrath
RAF Wildenrath
The former Royal Air Force Station Wildenrath, commonly known as RAF Wildenrath, was a Royal Air Force military airbase which opened on 15 January 1952. Wildenrath was the first of four 'Clutch' stations built for the RAF in Germany during the early 1950s...
. From 1954-57 he was Deputy Director, Operations at the Air Ministry. In 1957 he became Air Officer Commanding
Air Officer Commanding
Air Officer Commanding is a title given in the air forces of Commonwealth nations to an air officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, an air vice marshal might be the AOC 38 Group...
(AOC) RAF Cottesmore
RAF Cottesmore
RAF Cottesmore was a Royal Air Force station in Rutland, England, situated between Cottesmore and Market Overton. The station housed all the operational Harrier GR9 squadrons in the Royal Air Force, and No 122 Expeditionary Air Wing...
. An Air Commodore by 1960, his next job was SASO at HQ No. 3 Group. By the time of retirement in 1966 Johnson was an Air Vice Marshal and his last active post was AOC Air Forces Middle East.
Later life
He was appointed a Deputy LieutenantDeputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
for the County of Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
in 1967. He established the Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust in 1969.
Johnson died on 30 January 2001 aged 85 years from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
Medals
- 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...
& Two BarsMedal barA medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the... - Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1960 New Year HonoursNew Year HonoursThe New Year Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the New Year annually in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen Elizabeth II...
) - Companion in The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (1965 Queen's Birthday HonoursQueen's Birthday HonoursThe Queen's Birthday Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the celebration of the Queen's Official Birthday in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen...
) - Légion d'honneurLégion d'honneurThe Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
(FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) - Croix de Guerre (1940) with PalmsCroix de guerreThe Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
(BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
) - Order of Léopold with PalmsOrder of LéopoldThe Order of Leopold is one of the three Belgian national honorary orders of knighthood. It is the highest order of Belgium and is named in honour of King Leopold I. It consists of a military, a maritime and a civilian division...
(Belgium) - Distinguished Flying Cross (USA)
- Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
(USA) - Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(USA)
External links
- A period newspaper biography of AVM Johnson
- Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - AVM Johnson
- Times obituary
- Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust
- Biography
- Johnnie Johnson on Find-A-Grave
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