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| Wing Commander Brendan Fincuane, D.S.O., D.F.C. & 2 Bars
Listed:
The Times, Wednesday, Oct 04, 1939 Quote:
Pilot Officer on probation
August 29, B. Finucane
| The Times, Wednesday, Mar 27, 1940 Quote:
Pilot Officer confirmed in appointment
February 29, B. Finucane
| The Times, Saturday, May 03, 1941 Quote: R.A.F. AWARDS
NIGHT FIGHTER PILOTS HONOURED
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
F/Off. BRENDAN FINUCANE No. 65 Sq.
This officer has shown great keenness in his efforts to engage the enemy and he has destroyed at least five of their aircraft. His courage and enthusiasm have been a source of encouragement to other pilots of the squadron.
| The Times, Friday, Sep 05, 1941 Quote: GALLANTRY IN THE AIR
BAR TO DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
Actg. Fl. Lieut. B. FINUCANE, D.F.C., 452 (R.A.A.F.) Sq.
This officer has led his flight with great determination and courage. Since July he has destroyed three enemy aircraft and assisted in the destruction of a further two, Fl. Lieut. Finucane has been largely responsible for the fine fighting spirit of the unit.
| The Times, Thursday, Sep 25, 1941 Quote: R.A.F. HONOURS
FIVE AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN IN TWO DAYS
SECOND BAR TO D.F.C.
Atg. FL/Lieut. B. FINUCANE, D.F.C., 452 (R.A.A.F) Sq.
This officer has fought with marked success during recent operations over northern France and has destroyed a further six enemy aircraft. Of these, three were destroyed in one day and two in a single sortie on another occasion. His ability and courage have been reflected in the high standard of morale and fighting spirit of his unit. F/Lieut. Finucane has personally destroyed 15 hostile aircraft.
| The Times, Friday, Oct 03, 1941 Quote: |
Flight Lieutenant B. Finucane, who was recently awarded a second bar to his D.F.C. and who leads a flight of an Australian squadron, shot down his twenty-first enemy aircraft yesterday - a few days before his twenty-first birthday. A sergeant pilot in the same squadron also destroyed an Me which was on the tail of Finucanes aircraft at a moment when he had used up all his ammunition.
| The Times, Tuesday, Oct 14, 1941 Quote: R.A.F.'s MAJOR DAY AND NIGHT OFFENSIVE
20 ME.s DOWN IN DAYLIGHT ATTACK
...
It is now known that another enemy fighter, making a total of 20, was destroyed in to-day's offensive operations. It was destroyed by a pilot who was later shot down himself but was rescued from the Channel.
Five of the 20 enemy fighters destroyed were claimed by the Australian Spitfire squadron which shot down more enemy fighters in August and September than any other in Fighter Command. Yesterday's battle was the fiercest the Australians have yet fought, several of them said on landing. An Australian flight lieutenant shot down two enemy fighters and Flight Lieutenant B. Finucane, D.F.C and Double Bar, in the same squadron, accounted for two more, making his total 23.
| The Times, Tuesday, Oct 21, 1941 Quote: R.A.F. AWARDS
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER
Atg. F/Lieut. B. FINUCANE, D.F.C., 452 (R.A.A.F.) Sq.
Recently, during two sorties on consecutive days F/Lieut. Finucane destroyed five Messerschmitt 109s, bringing his total victories to at least 20. He has flown with this squadron since June, 1941, during which time the squadron has destroyed 42 enemy aircraft, of which F/Lieut. Finucane has personally destroyed 15. The successes achieved are undoubtedly due to this officer's brilliant leadership and example.
| The Times, Saturday, Feb 21, 1942 Quote: |
The Air Ministry News Service announced last night that, although wounded in the leg and thigh during an engagement over the Channel yesterday, Squadron Leader Finucane, D.S.O., D.F.C., flew home and landed safely at his own aerodrome. He was flying in company with another Spitfire, the pilot of which covered him on the homeward flight, turning at least six times to beat off attacks from two Focke-Wulfe 190s and shooting one down into the sea.
| The Times, Saturday, Mar 14, 1942 Quote: BACK TO FORM
This was the first operation in which Squadron Leader Finucane, D.S.O., D.F.C. and double Bar, had taken part since he was wounded a week or two ago. He celebrated his return to the squadron by destroying two FW190s. A newly joined flight commander in hsi squadron also destroyed two FW190S.
Another pilot was separated from the remainder of his squadron, and although he was attacked by four pairs of FW190s, he landed safely at his home aerodrome a few minutes after the rest of the squadron. This wing's total victories were increased to five by the pilot of an Australian squadron, who destroyed another FW190. Some of the fighting took place at 20,000ft.
The bombers had completed their task and were on their way back to the coast when about 20 Me109s tried to attack them. The Polish wing escorting the bombers shot three down in the dog fights that followed. In mid-channel one engine of a bomber stopped and the aircraft began to lose height. Immediately one of the fighter squadrons closed in and shepherded it safely back to this country.
| The Times, Monday, Apr 27, 1942 Quote: ANOTHER VICTORY FOR SQ. LDR. FINUCANE
The Air Ministry issued the following report early this morning:-
Our Spitfires met with little serious opposition from the German fighters yesterday, but Squadron Leader Finucane was able to lead his squadron in an attack on four F.W.190s, part of a formation of 20. He shot down one, thus bringing his score of aircraft destroyed to 31.
| The Times, Monday, May 18, 1942 Quote: ANOTHER FOR FINUCANE
In the first sweep of the day, along the coast north and south of Boulogne, two enemy fighters were destroyed, one falling to the leader of the Spitfire wing and the other to a pilot of the Third Eagle Squadron, states the Air Ministry News Service. Later in the morning Spitfires escorted Boston bombers to attack the docks at Boulogne. One wing of Spitfires lead by Wing Commander R.P.R. Powell, D.F.C., engaged a formation of FW190s at about 17,000ft. and destroyed four of them and severely damaged many others.
Afterwards the Spitfires swept down almost to ground level and attack the locomotive of a goods train, gun-posts, army huts, and German soldiers.
Squadron Leader Finucane, D.S.O, D.F.C. and Bars, flying with another wing in the second attack, shot down a FW190, which bring his total of enemy aircraft destroyed to 32.
| The Times, Wednesday, Jul 15, 1942 Quote: SHIPS SET ON FIRE NEAR OSTEND
A Spitfire wing led by Wing Commander Paddy Finucane, D.S.O., D.F.C., set the three small enemy ships on fire off Ostend, states the Air Ministry News Service. The wing attack was carried out so low that the top-cover squadron was flying over the ships at only 200ft., while the wing commander led his squadron "in on the deck" from all directions.
| The Times, Saturday, Jul 18, 1942 (with photo) Quote: OBITUARY
WING COMMANDER B. FINUCANE
A GREAT FIGHTER PILOT
Acting Wing Commander Brendan ("Paddy") Finucane, D.S.O., D.F.C. and two bars, has been killed in action, as reported on another page. By his death the Royal Air Force has lost one of its best known and most accomplished fighter pilots. He was officially credited with having destroyed 32 enemy aircraft, and had damaged many more. As well as being an exceptional pilot, gifted with great powers of leadership and the ablility to inspire confidence in those who flew with him, Finucane was a young man of great charm; he was modest and popular wherever he went. His parents live at Richmond, Surrey.
Finucane was born in Dublin on October 16, 1920, and was educated at a Christina Brothers' school there. Entering the R.A.F. for training as a pilot in August, 1938, he was commmissioned as an acting pilot officer, and his subsequent promotion was rapid. He was confirmed in his rank in February, 1940, became a flying officer in the following September, acting flight lieutenant in April, 1941, acting squadron leader in January of this year, and acting wing commander last month. He had taken part in a great many offensive fighter operations over the Channel, and led a flight, then a squadron, and more recently a wing into action.
He first came into prominence in May of last year, when, flying with No. 65 Squadron, he was awarded the D.F.C. after having destroyed at leadt five German aircraft. The citation stated that he had "shown great keenness in his efforts to engage the enemy, and his courage and enthusiasm have been a source of encouragement to other pilots of the squadron." Two bars to this decoration were awarded in the same month - September, 1941 - while he was a member of No. 452 (R.A.A.F.) Squadron, in which he led a flight. On the second occasion the citation referreed to his "marked success" in recent operations. He had shot down a further six enemy machines, three in one day and two in a single sortie on another day, bringing his individual total to 15.
When he won the D.S.O. last October the official citation stated: "Recently, during two sorties on successive days this officer destroyed five Me109s, bringing his total victories to at least 20. He has flown with his squadron since June, 1941, during which time the squadron has destroyed 42 enemy aircraft, of which Flight Lieutenant Finucane has personally destroyed 15. The successes achieved are undoubtedly due to this officer's brilliant leadership and example."
Last February Finucane was wounded in a fight over the Channel with two F.W.190 fighters. He and another Spitfire pilot - Pilot Officer Lewis, an Australian - had attacked a ship near Dunkirk when they were set upon by the two German machines and Finucane was wounded in the leg and thigh. Over the radio-telephone he ordered his companion to return home, but Lewis, seeing that Finucane had been wounded, guarded him as they returned over the Channel, still being attacked by the German pilots. Finucane landed safely and was taken to hospital. After being in bed for a few weeks Finucane returned to action in March, and he celebrated his first offensive operation on March 13 by destroying two F.W.190s.
A fortnight later, while leading a Scottish Auxiliary squadron, he destroyed two more, bringing his total to 29. In the following month, while leading his squadron against a formation of enemy fighters, he increased his "bag" to 31, adding another to the total on May 17. Last Tuesday Finucane was in charge of the Spitfire wing which set on fire three enemy ships off Ostend, leading his machines in to attack from mast height.
In May last his engagement to Miss Jean Mary Woolford, of Richmond, was announced. He has a younger brother serving in the R.A.F. as a gunner.
| The Times, Monday, Jul 20, 1942 Quote: FINUCANE "CAVALIER OF THE AIR"
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
MELBOURNE, JULY 19
The death of Wing Commander Finucane, D.S.O., D.F.C., has evoked moving tributes from the Press throughout Australia, where his exploits have been a tremendous inspiration to the R.A.A.F. A tribute is that of Mr. Drakeford, the Air Minister, who said: "By his deeds this fearless cavalier of the air has made his name world-famous. Every member of the R.A.A.F. who had the good fortune to come in contact with him will cherish the memory of a very gallant gentleman. The manner of his end showed a determination and a courage which are typical of this great fighting airman. His rare qualities will be an inspiration to Australian airmen for all times."
| The Times, Thursday, Jul 23, 1942 Quote: NEWS IN BRIEF
Richmond (Surrey) Town Council has decided to open a fund in memory of Wing Commander Brendan "Paddy" Finucane. It was announced that at the wish of Finucane's parents the memorial would be a new accident and casualty wing at the Royal Hospital, Richmond, the balance of the fund being given to the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund.
| The Times, Tuesday, Jul 28, 1942 Quote: NEWS IN BRIEF
A requiem Mass for Wing Commander Brendan ("Paddy") Finucane will be celebrated in Westminster Cathedral at 11.15 to-morrow morning.
| The Times, Saturday, Aug 08, 1942 Quote: SOVIET AIRMEN'S TRIBUTE TO FINUCANE
The following telegram of condolence has been received from two fighter pilots of the Soviet Union in connexion with the death of Wing Commander Brendan "Paddy" Finucane, D.S.O, D.F.C.
"To aviators of the British Air Force - It is with profound grief we learned of the death of the gallant British airman and our comrade-in-arms Finucane. We share your affliction at his grave loss and request you convey our sincere condolences to the family of the fallen hero. By a joint supreme effort against the sinister forces of Hitlerism we must ruthlessly avenge our fallen friends and all the unmentionable atrocities of bloodthirsty Hitlerism. - HERO of the SOVIET UNION CAPTAIN IVAN KHOLODOV, HERO of the SOVIET UNION CAPTAIN EUGENY GORBATYUK."
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Last edited by dbf; 21-05-2009 at 12:00 PM.
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21-05-2009, 11:41 AM
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