Sergeant Walter William Cooke, D.F.M., R.A.F., 179 Squadron

dbf · 22-05-2009, 10:11 AM

Sergeant Walter William Cooke was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Quote:

Sergeant Cooke has completed many operational sorties, many of which have been night anti-submarine operations. A wireless operator of exceptional ability, this airman has been responsible for setting a remarkably high standard of wireless telegraphy. His outstanding success and efficiency have been an inspiration and an example to all other wireless operators, while zeal and vigilance have an example to all other wireless operators, while his zeal and vigilance have contributed greatly to the successes achieved by his crew. On four occasions Sergeant Cooke has participated in successful attacks on enemy U-boats, which have been pressed home with great determination, regardless of the heavy opposition encountered.

Sergeant Cooke was born in 1916 in Co. Cork. His home is at Leicester. In civil occupation he was a designer. He enlisted in 1940 and is now wireless operator/air gunner.

30 July 1943
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36116/supplements/3487
6 July 1943
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36084/supplements/3096

Quote:

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Flying
654425 Sergeant Walter William Cooke, No. 179 Squadron

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

Drew5233 · 30-01-2010, 04:30 PM

LG 9.7.1943.

Sorties 36, Flying Hours 600.

Wireless Operator.

Air 2/8961.

Sergeant Cooke has flown for 300 hours on night anti-submarine operations. As First Wireless Operator of his crew, he has been responsible for setting a remarkable standard of efficiency, both in wireless telegraphy and in the operation of A.S.V. His outstanding success and efficiency, have been an inspiration and an example, not only to the other two Wireless Operators of his own crew, but to all Wireless Operators in the squadron. His zeal and vigilance in A.S.V. watch-keeping have largely been responsible for the outstanding success of his crew and in particular for the following four attacks on U-Boats:

At 04.00, 20th November 1942, the crew attacked a German U-Boat 300 miles to the west of Gibraltar. The assessment by Costal Command reads - (Naval Staff) "A very pains-staking and successful approach followed by an excellent attack. There seems no reason to doubt that the U-Boat was fairly and squarely straddled by the explosions which, of course, should be lethal. There is the usual difficulty of seeing results at night and obtaining the satisfactions of knowing that the U-Boat is seriously damaged or destroyed". (Air Staff) "Concur. Crew to be congratulated on what appears to be an excellent attack. Every effort is being made to find some way of illuminating night attacks".

At 22.00 hours on 18th December 1942, the same crew attacked a U-Boat off Oran. The Naval Staff at Coastal Command Headquarters assess this attack as "A good A.S.V. approach, but the U-Boat appears to have had warning of the attack developing so that the depth charges could not be released before it disappeared. A night attack makes the placing of a stick very difficult when only the swirl remains as an aiming mark and I think the explosions were out of the lethal range astern the U-Boat". The Air Staff concurred with this assessment.

A third attack was made at 22.00 hours on 10th December 1942,off the Spainish Mediterranean coast. The aircraft honed onto an Italian submarine which promptly opened fire with its anti-aircraft gun and caused considerable damage to the aircraft's port engine, wing and petrol tanks. This attack was assessed by HQCC Naval Staff, "The searchlight attack was carried out in the face of enemy flak but, if the remark in the narrative stating " Release of depth charge was made at 80 feet as the aircraft tracked over the conning tower" is correct, the stick would have been about right for range but would have probably been to far astern for line on exploding. No positive assessment can be given as to what damage was inflicted on the submarine but, at very least , the submarine had a very severe shake-up and a most unplesant experience". The Air Staff commented, " I agree with the above remarks and feel sure the submarine had a most unpleasant night of it".

The fourth attack made in 179 Squadron by this new crew was at 0200 hours on 14th December 1942, again in the Western Mediterranean. In this case, an Italian U-Boat of the "Gomma" Class was attacked in the face of heavey anti-aircraft fire from two guns. The Coastal Command assessment reads (Naval Staff), "A very good A.S.V. approach with an excellent attack. The fact that the aircraft tracked over just forward of the conning tower means that there was no line error and the evidence of the splashes establishes a straddle which, on explosion, should have been just abaft of the conning tower. This is an experienced crew and the rear gunner has observed three other night attacks and knows exactly what to look for; his evidence, therefore, is extremely reliable. This excellent attack, pressed home in the face of heavy and light flak, should have resulted in the destruction of the U-Boat as at least two depth charges must have been within lethal range". The Air Staff comment was "An excellent attack. Well done!"

8th February 1943

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

Drew5233 · 30-01-2010, 04:33 PM

The success obtained by Squadron Leader A W Southall have, to a certain extent, been due to the untiring vigilance of this operator who, during long night patrols, has shown great skill with A.S.V. and marked determination to find and destroy the enemy.

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

Drew5233 · 30-01-2010, 04:35 PM

A Wireless Operator of outsanding ability. The success attained by his crew is in no small measure due to the excellent work of this NCO.

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

andys · 25-07-2010, 08:52 PM

I have just registered with this site and seen the information on Sgt W W Cooke who was Wireless Operator with my father (S/L A W Southall) for many operational fights in 179 squadron.

I have just compared your information you published on 30 Jan 2010 from the Distinguished Flying Medal Register about four attacks made with the entry in may father's log book.

1st Attack

19/20 Nov 1942 Wellington LA971

Pilot S/L A W Southall
Co Pilot P/O Elisha
Sgt Sutton
Sgt Cochran
F/L Macgregor
Sgt Cooke

Duty :

Night take off. Anti-sub patrol Westwards from Gibraltar. U-boat sighted and attacked 200 mls NE of Madiera.

2nd Attack

No flying recorded for 18 Dec 42 but details in register align with flight on 8/9 Dec 42.

Details as for Attack 1 except Wellington LA 976

Duty:
Anti sub-patrol eastwards. Sub patrolling off Oran sighted and attacked 10 secs after diving.

3rd Attack
Details as for attack 2 except

10 Dec 42

Duty: Anti-sub patrol eastwards. Sub patrolling off SE Spain sighted and attacked. Sub fired from two guns but a/c damaged by two rounds only.

4th Attack

14 Dec 42

Details as for attack 3 except for

Wellington HX720

Duty: Midnight take off. Anti sub Patrol off SE Spain sighted and attacked. Sub fired from two guns but this time no hits. Very pleasing straddle
(5 Torpex).

The Air staff comment on the second attack "Every effort is being made to find some way of illuminating attacks" seems to ignore that 179 squadron Wellingtons were Leigh Light equipped. Though it is possible that the change of aircraft necessitated from the damage received from the attack four nights before resulted in a non Leigh Light Wellington being used. If that is so the success of the attack is even more commendable.

Finally I see you have obtained information from the Distinguished Flying Medal Register for Sgt Cooke. Is there a similar register for DSO, DFC and AFC which my father was awarded? If so how could I get access to it?

I have a letter from Sgt W W Cooke which he wrote to my brother in 1992 after he had learned of the 1985 death our father. He mentions that they flew a total of 850 hours together (of which 500 were at night) which was a remarkable length of partnership in wartime and they completed 6 U-boats attacks together. They clearly had a great deal of respect for each others skills.

Drew5233 · 25-07-2010, 10:28 PM

Hi Andys and welcome to the forum.

Thanks for contributing the above info, it does make for interesting reading. I'm not really an 'Air' expert and have only started visiting the National Archives at Kew. I suspect his other citations will be under the Air Ministry. DFC's and DFM's are under 'Air 2'.

I have a DSO and DFC book so I'll see what I can find in them for you. Sadly there is no book that I'm aware of that covers AFC's and AFM's.

Regards
Andy

Drew5233 · 25-07-2010, 11:06 PM

Not a lot to offer I'm affraid:

DSO LG 26.02.43

DFC LG 01.10.43

AFC LG 01.01.52

DSO and DFC both awarded serving with 179 Sqn.

I'm affraid it looks like a trip to the National Archives if you want the citations as they are not listed in the London Gazette either from what I can see.

Do you have his medals? If so any chance you could post a picture of them?

Regards
Andy

andys · 26-07-2010, 10:34 PM

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your responses and information. I am still grappling with how to use this forum but have a photo of his Medals - DSO, DFC, AFC and campaign medals. I will try to upload now and see if it works.

I have some newspaper cuttings with what I suspect are part or all of the citations for the DSO - but not the others - although again I do have related information to them.

Regards

Andy
Wing Cmdr A W Southall Medals ld 2.jpg

Drew5233 · 26-07-2010, 11:00 PM

Andy,

Great picture and thanks for posting - You may be pleased to know he was also awarded a Mention In Dispatches in WW2 looking at the Oak Leaf on the medal ribbon.

He appears to have kept himself very busy during WW2

I would strongly recommend you apply for his service records for starters.

Regards
Andy

andys · 27-07-2010, 09:21 PM

Andy,

Thank you. I will apply as you recommend.

Regards

Andy

30-01-2010, 04:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Drew5233 Very Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 13,417	954425 Sergeant Walter William Cooke, No.179 Squadron, RAF LG 9.7.1943. Sorties 36, Flying Hours 600. Wireless Operator. Air 2/8961. Sergeant Cooke has flown for 300 hours on night anti-submarine operations. As First Wireless Operator of his crew, he has been responsible for setting a remarkable standard of efficiency, both in wireless telegraphy and in the operation of A.S.V. His outstanding success and efficiency, have been an inspiration and an example, not only to the other two Wireless Operators of his own crew, but to all Wireless Operators in the squadron. His zeal and vigilance in A.S.V. watch-keeping have largely been responsible for the outstanding success of his crew and in particular for the following four attacks on U-Boats: At 04.00, 20th November 1942, the crew attacked a German U-Boat 300 miles to the west of Gibraltar. The assessment by Costal Command reads - (Naval Staff) "A very pains-staking and successful approach followed by an excellent attack. There seems no reason to doubt that the U-Boat was fairly and squarely straddled by the explosions which, of course, should be lethal. There is the usual difficulty of seeing results at night and obtaining the satisfactions of knowing that the U-Boat is seriously damaged or destroyed". (Air Staff) "Concur. Crew to be congratulated on what appears to be an excellent attack. Every effort is being made to find some way of illuminating night attacks". At 22.00 hours on 18th December 1942, the same crew attacked a U-Boat off Oran. The Naval Staff at Coastal Command Headquarters assess this attack as "A good A.S.V. approach, but the U-Boat appears to have had warning of the attack developing so that the depth charges could not be released before it disappeared. A night attack makes the placing of a stick very difficult when only the swirl remains as an aiming mark and I think the explosions were out of the lethal range astern the U-Boat". The Air Staff concurred with this assessment. A third attack was made at 22.00 hours on 10th December 1942,off the Spainish Mediterranean coast. The aircraft honed onto an Italian submarine which promptly opened fire with its anti-aircraft gun and caused considerable damage to the aircraft's port engine, wing and petrol tanks. This attack was assessed by HQCC Naval Staff, "The searchlight attack was carried out in the face of enemy flak but, if the remark in the narrative stating " Release of depth charge was made at 80 feet as the aircraft tracked over the conning tower" is correct, the stick would have been about right for range but would have probably been to far astern for line on exploding. No positive assessment can be given as to what damage was inflicted on the submarine but, at very least , the submarine had a very severe shake-up and a most unplesant experience". The Air Staff commented, " I agree with the above remarks and feel sure the submarine had a most unpleasant night of it". The fourth attack made in 179 Squadron by this new crew was at 0200 hours on 14th December 1942, again in the Western Mediterranean. In this case, an Italian U-Boat of the "Gomma" Class was attacked in the face of heavey anti-aircraft fire from two guns. The Coastal Command assessment reads (Naval Staff), "A very good A.S.V. approach with an excellent attack. The fact that the aircraft tracked over just forward of the conning tower means that there was no line error and the evidence of the splashes establishes a straddle which, on explosion, should have been just abaft of the conning tower. This is an experienced crew and the rear gunner has observed three other night attacks and knows exactly what to look for; his evidence, therefore, is extremely reliable. This excellent attack, pressed home in the face of heavy and light flak, should have resulted in the destruction of the U-Boat as at least two depth charges must have been within lethal range". The Air Staff comment was "An excellent attack. Well done!" 8th February 1943 The Distinguished Flying Medal Register from the Second World War Vol. I - Ian Tavender. __________________ Combat Communicators of the British Army

30-01-2010, 04:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Drew5233 Very Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 13,417	Remarks from Station Commander The success obtained by Squadron Leader A W Southall have, to a certain extent, been due to the untiring vigilance of this operator who, during long night patrols, has shown great skill with A.S.V. and marked determination to find and destroy the enemy. The Distinguished Flying Medal Register from the Second World War Vol. I - Ian Tavender. __________________ Combat Communicators of the British Army

30-01-2010, 04:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Drew5233 Very Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 13,417	Remarks from AOC A Wireless Operator of outsanding ability. The success attained by his crew is in no small measure due to the excellent work of this NCO. The Distinguished Flying Medal Register from the Second World War Vol. I - Ian Tavender. __________________ Combat Communicators of the British Army

25-07-2010, 10:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Drew5233 Very Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 13,417	Hi Andys and welcome to the forum. Thanks for contributing the above info, it does make for interesting reading. I'm not really an 'Air' expert and have only started visiting the National Archives at Kew. I suspect his other citations will be under the Air Ministry. DFC's and DFM's are under 'Air 2'. I have a DSO and DFC book so I'll see what I can find in them for you. Sadly there is no book that I'm aware of that covers AFC's and AFM's. Regards Andy __________________ Combat Communicators of the British Army

25-07-2010, 11:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Drew5233 Very Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 13,417	43075 A/Squadron Leader Arthur William Southall DSO, DFC, AFC. 179 Sqn RAF Not a lot to offer I'm affraid: DSO LG 26.02.43 DFC LG 01.10.43 AFC LG 01.01.52 DSO and DFC both awarded serving with 179 Sqn. I'm affraid it looks like a trip to the National Archives if you want the citations as they are not listed in the London Gazette either from what I can see. Do you have his medals? If so any chance you could post a picture of them? Regards Andy __________________ Combat Communicators of the British Army

25-07-2010, 08:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
andys Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 4	I have just registered with this site and seen the information on Sgt W W Cooke who was Wireless Operator with my father (S/L A W Southall) for many operational fights in 179 squadron. I have just compared your information you published on 30 Jan 2010 from the Distinguished Flying Medal Register about four attacks made with the entry in may father's log book. 1st Attack 19/20 Nov 1942 Wellington LA971 Pilot S/L A W Southall Co Pilot P/O Elisha Sgt Sutton Sgt Cochran F/L Macgregor Sgt Cooke Duty : Night take off. Anti-sub patrol Westwards from Gibraltar. U-boat sighted and attacked 200 mls NE of Madiera. 2nd Attack No flying recorded for 18 Dec 42 but details in register align with flight on 8/9 Dec 42. Details as for Attack 1 except Wellington LA 976 Duty: Anti sub-patrol eastwards. Sub patrolling off Oran sighted and attacked 10 secs after diving. 3rd Attack Details as for attack 2 except 10 Dec 42 Duty: Anti-sub patrol eastwards. Sub patrolling off SE Spain sighted and attacked. Sub fired from two guns but a/c damaged by two rounds only. 4th Attack 14 Dec 42 Details as for attack 3 except for Wellington HX720 Duty: Midnight take off. Anti sub Patrol off SE Spain sighted and attacked. Sub fired from two guns but this time no hits. Very pleasing straddle (5 Torpex). The Air staff comment on the second attack "Every effort is being made to find some way of illuminating attacks" seems to ignore that 179 squadron Wellingtons were Leigh Light equipped. Though it is possible that the change of aircraft necessitated from the damage received from the attack four nights before resulted in a non Leigh Light Wellington being used. If that is so the success of the attack is even more commendable. Finally I see you have obtained information from the Distinguished Flying Medal Register for Sgt Cooke. Is there a similar register for DSO, DFC and AFC which my father was awarded? If so how could I get access to it? I have a letter from Sgt W W Cooke which he wrote to my brother in 1992 after he had learned of the 1985 death our father. He mentions that they flew a total of 850 hours together (of which 500 were at night) which was a remarkable length of partnership in wartime and they completed 6 U-boats attacks together. They clearly had a great deal of respect for each others skills.

26-07-2010, 10:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
andys Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 4	Wing Commander Arthur William Southall DSO, DFC, AFC - Medals Hi Andy, Thanks for your responses and information. I am still grappling with how to use this forum but have a photo of his Medals - DSO, DFC, AFC and campaign medals. I will try to upload now and see if it works. I have some newspaper cuttings with what I suspect are part or all of the citations for the DSO - but not the others - although again I do have related information to them. Regards Andy Wing Cmdr A W Southall Medals ld 2.jpg

26-07-2010, 11:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Drew5233 Very Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 13,417	Andy, Great picture and thanks for posting - You may be pleased to know he was also awarded a Mention In Dispatches in WW2 looking at the Oak Leaf on the medal ribbon. He appears to have kept himself very busy during WW2 I would strongly recommend you apply for his service records for starters. Regards Andy __________________ Combat Communicators of the British Army

27-07-2010, 09:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
andys Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 4	Andy, Thank you. I will apply as you recommend. Regards Andy

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Raf Losses 1940	Paul Reed	The War In The Air	38	23-05-2010 01:38 AM
Our Glorious Dead - Research for fundraising book	englandphil	War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research	51	29-03-2010 09:47 AM
Surviving BoB Pilots-Do you personally know any?	spidge	The Barracks	24	03-11-2009 10:10 AM
Battle of Britain (501 Sqd)	Gage	The War In The Air	14	08-03-2009 11:45 PM
The NIH in Italy - Part One- At War	Wise1	North Irish Horse	0	22-07-2006 12:15 AM