RichB
Well-known member
No 29(R) Sqn has unvieled thier Battle of Britain anniversary special scheme. The Typhoon is painted in the markings of 249 Sqn's Hurrince I P3576 flown by FltLt Nicolson.
His VC citation read :
"Flight Lieutenant Eric James Brindley NICOLSON (39329) No. 249 Squadron.
During an engagement with the enemy near Southampton on 16th August, 1940, Flight Lieutenant Nicolson’s aircraft was hit by four cannon shells, two of which wounded him whilst another set fire to the gravity tank. When about to abandon his aircraft owing to flames in the cockpit he sighted an enemy fighter. This he attacked and shot down, although as a result of staying in his burning aircraft he sustained serious burns to his hands, face, neck and legs.
Flight Lieutenant Nicolson has always displayed great enthusiasm for air fighting and this incident shows that he possesses courage and determination of a high order. By continuing to engage the enemy after he had been wounded and his aircraft set on fire, he displayed exceptional gallantry and disregard for the safety of his own life."
After bailing out he was unable to release his parachute harness upon landing due to his wounds. He was wounded again by an over enthusiastic member of the Home Guard who peppered his leg with a blast from his shotgun.
In 1942 he was posted to India and by 1943 was the CO of 247 Sqn flying Beaufighters over Burma.
As a Wing Commander, he was killed on 02 May 1945 when the 355 Sqn B-24 he was flying in as an observer crashed into the Bay of Bengal.
He was the only Battle of Britain pilot and the only RAF Fighter Command pilot to be awarded the VC during WW2. He was also one of only two VC recipients to win the award on British home territory, Leading Seaman Jack Mantle, HMS Foylebank being the other.
Cheers,
Rich
His VC citation read :
"Flight Lieutenant Eric James Brindley NICOLSON (39329) No. 249 Squadron.
During an engagement with the enemy near Southampton on 16th August, 1940, Flight Lieutenant Nicolson’s aircraft was hit by four cannon shells, two of which wounded him whilst another set fire to the gravity tank. When about to abandon his aircraft owing to flames in the cockpit he sighted an enemy fighter. This he attacked and shot down, although as a result of staying in his burning aircraft he sustained serious burns to his hands, face, neck and legs.
Flight Lieutenant Nicolson has always displayed great enthusiasm for air fighting and this incident shows that he possesses courage and determination of a high order. By continuing to engage the enemy after he had been wounded and his aircraft set on fire, he displayed exceptional gallantry and disregard for the safety of his own life."
After bailing out he was unable to release his parachute harness upon landing due to his wounds. He was wounded again by an over enthusiastic member of the Home Guard who peppered his leg with a blast from his shotgun.
In 1942 he was posted to India and by 1943 was the CO of 247 Sqn flying Beaufighters over Burma.
As a Wing Commander, he was killed on 02 May 1945 when the 355 Sqn B-24 he was flying in as an observer crashed into the Bay of Bengal.
He was the only Battle of Britain pilot and the only RAF Fighter Command pilot to be awarded the VC during WW2. He was also one of only two VC recipients to win the award on British home territory, Leading Seaman Jack Mantle, HMS Foylebank being the other.
Cheers,
Rich
ldguy
