John Curchin
John Curchin | |
---|---|
Born | Second World War
| 20 January 1918
Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
John Curchin,
Originally from
Early life
John Curchin was born on 18 January 1918 in
Second World War
Curchin's acting rank of pilot officer was confirmed on 6 April 1940 although he remained on probation.[5] His first operational posting was to No. 600 Squadron;[3] his new unit was based at Northolt at the time and flew the Bristol Blenheim long-range fighter in a night fighter role.[6] On 11 June Curchin was transferred to No. 609 Squadron,[4] also at Northolt but equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire fighter. It had been heavily engaged in covering the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk.[7] The following day, his probationary period ended and his pilot officer rank was made substantive.[8]
Battle of Britain
In early July No. 609 Squadron was moved to Middle Wallop, covering the Southampton and Portland area and flying protective patrols over the convoys in the area.[1] On 12 July Curchin was one of three pilots to engage a Heinkel He 111 medium bomber 3 miles (4.8 km) to the east of Portland Bill. The He 111 was claimed as destroyed but this was unable to be verified. On 8 August he destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter off the Isle of Wight and also damaged a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter in the same area. At the end of the month, he shot down a Bf 109 west of Portland.[3]
By this time, the squadron was becoming more engaged in the aerial fighting over London.[7] On 7 September Curchin destroyed a Bf 109 to the north of the city. He was also credited with the probable destruction of a Dornier Do 17 medium bomber the same day. He shared in shooting down two Do 17s on 15 September, the first to the east of London and the second to the north of Hastings. He shot down a Bf 109 some 15 miles (24 km) south of the Isle of Wight on 24 September and the following day destroyed two He 111s over Bristol. Another He 111 was destroyed by Curchin on 26 September.[3]
The
This officer has displayed great keenness and skill in combat against the enemy. On a recent occasion he pursued an enemy aircraft thirty miles out to sea and finally destroyed it. He has destroyed at least seven hostile aircraft and shared in the destruction of others.
— London Gazette, No. 34984, 1 November 1940[10]
Channel Front
No. 609 Squadron spent the winter months at
On 4 June, No. 609 Squadron was carrying out a search and rescue mission, looking for
With no known grave Curchin is commemorated on the Runneymeade Memorial at Englefield Green.[2][4] As an Australian who died while serving in the armed forces of the United Kingdom, his name is also recorded in the commemorative roll at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia.[12]
Notes
- ^ a b Newton 1996, p. 84.
- ^ a b "Flight Lieutenant John Curchin". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Shores & Williams 1994, pp. 202–203.
- ^ a b c Wynn 1989, p. 97.
- ^ "No. 34838". The London Gazette. 26 April 1940. p. 2475.
- ^ Rawlings 1976, pp. 468–469.
- ^ a b c d Rawlings 1976, pp. 492–493.
- ^ "No. 34903". The London Gazette. 23 July 1940. p. 4125.
- ^ Claasen 2012, p. 195.
- ^ "No. 34984". The London Gazette. 1 November 1940. p. 6349.
- ^ "No. 35222". The London Gazette. 18 July 1941. p. 4125.
- ^ "Commemorative Roll: John Curchin". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
References
- Claasen, Adam (2012). Dogfight: The Battle of Britain. Anzac Battle Series. Auckland: Exisle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-921497-28-5.
- Newton, Dennis (1996). Australian Air Aces. Fyshwick: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1-875671-25-0.
- Rawlings, John (1976). Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: MacDonald & James. ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
- Shores, Christopher; Williams, Clive (1994). Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII. London: Grub Street. ISBN 1-898697-00-0.
- Wynn, Kenneth G. (1989). Men of the Battle of Britain. Norwich: Gliddon Books. ISBN 0-947893-15-6.