Tom Maxwell (officer)
Thomas John Maxwell (19 June 1924 โ 2019) was an officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He served as a tail gunner during World War II, flying 32 missions and escaping captivity into Spain after being shot down in France. After the war he worked in RAF air traffic control and then, from 10 years on after 1978, for the Royal Air Force of Oman.[1][2]
Biography
Tom Maxwell was born in
flak after bombing the target. The plane landed in Baxancourt, and he was housed by a local family before he left on a bicycle[4] and eventually made his way through the Pyrenees along with 11 fellow RAF men. He was eventually taken to Pamplona by authorities and reunited with two crewmates. He was shortly thereafter sent to Gibraltar and sent back to England.[3]
He was a strong supporter of the RAF Bomber Command Memorial.[2]
Honors
Distinguished Flying Cross
Legion of Honour, awarded 16 January 2018
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References
- ^ "Tom Maxwell", The Times, p. 54, 4 April 2019
- ^ a b c "Obituary: War hero who eluded Nazis and got back home after being shot down over France". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ a b Obituaries, Telegraph (26 April 2019). "Flight Lieutenant Tom Maxwell, Lancaster gunner who was shot down over northern France and escaped to Spain โ obituary". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ISBN 978-1-78340-914-3.
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