Sergeant George Furney, D.F.M., 84 Sqdn

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Sergeant George Furney was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Flight Sergeant Gordon and Sergeant Furney have flown together as pilot and wireless operator/air gunner respectively on numerous operational flights. In October, when carrying out an attack on Tobruk, their aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters. The engine was disabled, but the attackers were beaten off and Gordon successfully force-landed in the desert.

On another occasion Gordon and Furney participated in an attack on Kucove oil wells. Harassed by enemy fighters, Furney fought back fiercely until he received a severe head wound. Despite damaged to the aircraft Gordon skilfully flew it some 200 miles back to his base.

In March, 1941, Gordon, accompanied by Furney, carried out an attack on the Italian Fleet off Cape Matapan. In spite of intense anti-aircraft fire Gordon descended to 4,000 feet and scored two direct hits on a cruiser, causing it to slow down and compelling other vessels to stand by. By their success in this operation, Gordon and Furney helped to bring the Italian Fleet to action. Both these airmen have displayed great skill and determination in accomplishing their allotted tasks.

Sergeant Furney was born in Gorey, Co. Wexford. He was killed in action in June, 1941.

London Gazette:
15 July 1941
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35219/pages/4065

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1941/1941%20-%202509.html

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2169840
Flight Sergeant(W.Op./Air Gnr.) GEORGE FURNEY D F M 816134, 84 Sqdn., Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force) who died age 21 on 31 May 1941
Son of Benjamin W. B. Furney and Elizabeth Downes Furney, of Finaghy, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Remembered with honour
HABBANIYA WAR CEMETERY Grave/Memorial Reference: 5. G. 1.


Also:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2169850
Sergeant ALEXANDER GORDON D F M 566025, 84 Sqdn., Royal Air Force who died age 24 on 31 May 1941
Son of Alexander and Christina Gordon, of Mid Clyth, Caithness-shire.
Remembered with honour HABBANIYA WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 5. G. 3.


http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2169869
Sergeant GEORGE FRANCIS HUMBER 580544, 84 Sqdn., Royal Air Force who died age 22 on 31 May 1941
Son of Francis Herbert and Emily Anne Humber, of Monkwood, Hampshire.
Remembered with honour HABBANIYA WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 5. G. 2.


See this thread for ref:
www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852

[Peter Clare]

Details relating to the above loss.


31 May 1941

84 Squadron

Blenheim IV L9316

Crew
Sgt. A. Gordon DFM +
Sgt. G. Humber +
Sgt. G. Furney DFM +

Failed to return to Habbaniyah, Iraq from a reconnaissance sortie. Shot down by a Vichy French MS.406.

[Drew5233]

Immediate.

LG 15.7.1941

Wireless Operator/Air Gunner.

Air 2/9541.

Sergeant Furney is a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner of a crew piloted by Flight Sergeant Gordon which has completed a total of 25 raids. On 25th October 1940, while on a raid on Tobruk, this aircraft was attacked by fighters and one engine put out of action. By good co-operation between gunner and pilot, they beat off the attack, subsequently force-landing in the desert.

On 22nd December 1940, this crew were in a formation of nine aircraft attacking Kucove Oil Wells (Albania) when it was attacked by four G.50's. Two of our aircraft were shot down and five of the remaining seven badly damaged. The starboard engine of this aircraft was put out of action, but they fought back until Sergeant Furney received a severe head wound. By this time, the aircraft was badly damamged and Flight Sergeant Gordon showed great skill in bringing his aircraft over 200 miles back to base. Before he was wounded, Sergeant Furney was shooting back fiercely and co-operating well with the other aircraft of the formation in concentrating cross-fire on the attacking aircraft.

On 28th March 1941, Flight Sergeant Gordon and his crew carried out a highly successful attack on the Italian fleet off Cape Matapan. In spite of the intense anti-aircraft fire. Flight Sergeant Gordon dived to a height of 4,000 feet and scored two direct hits with his 2,500lb bombs on a cruiser, thereby crippling it, since it was seen to slow down with other vessels standing by it. In this way, Flight Sergeant Gordon was directly instrumental in bringing the Italian fleet into action. At all times, Sergeant Furney and Flight Sergeant Gordon have shown great keenness in accomplishing their tasks.

29th June 1941.

The Distinguished Flying Medal Register for the Second World War. Vol. I - Ian Tavender

[Drew5233]

Mentioned in Post 2

Pilot

Air2/9541

Flight Sergeant Gordon is the pilot of a crew which has completed a total of 25 raids. On 25th October, 1940, while on a raid on Tobruk, he was attacked by fighters and one engine was put out of action. By good co-operation between gunner and pilot, they beat off the attack and subsequently force-landed in the desert. On 22nd December, 1940, Flight Sergeant Gordon's crew were in a formation of nine aircraft for the bombing of Kucove oil wells (Albania) when it was attacked by four G.50's. Two of our aircraft were shot down and five of the remaining seven badly damaged. Flight Sergeant Gordon's starboard engine was put out of action as they fought back until Sergeant Furney (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) recieved a severe head wound. By this time, the aircraft was badly damaged and Flight Sergeant Gordon showed great skill in bringing his aircraft over 200 miles back to base. Before he was wounded, Sergeant Furney was shooting back fiercely and co-operating well with the other aircraft of the formation in concentrating cross-fire on the attacking aircraft. On 28th March, 1941, Flight Sergeant Gordon carried out a highly successful attack on the Italian fleet off Cape Matapan. In spite of intense anti-aircraft fire, Flight Sergeant Gordon dived to a height of 4,000 feet and scored two direct hits with his 2,500lb. bombs on a cruiser, thereby crippling it since it was seen to slow down with other vessels standing by it. In this way, Flight Sergeant Gordon was directly instrumental in bringing the Italian fleet into action. At all times Flight Sergeant Gordon and Sergeant Furney have shown great keeness in accomplishing their tasks.

29th June, 1941.

LG 15.7.41

The Distinguished Flying Medal Register for the Second World War. Vol. I - Ian Tavender