alternate identity
05-29-2010, 11:34 AM
Flying Officer Lloyd Allan Trigg VC DFC (5 May 1914 – 11 August 1943), of Houhora, New Zealand, was a pilot in the RNZAF. He was a posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy for British and Commonwealth armed forces. His award is unique, as it was awarded on evidence solely provided by the enemy, for an action in which there were no surviving Allied witnesses to corroborate his gallantry.
Trigg was an experienced pilot (he had already been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross)[1] while attached to 200 Squadron RAF, operating with Coastal Command. He was flying his first operational flight in a Liberator V (having previously flown Hudsons) over the Atlantic from his base in Bathurst, West Africa (now Banjul, The Gambia), on 11 August 1943 when he engaged the German submarine U-468 under the command of Klemens Schamong.
His aircraft received several catastrophic hits from the submarine's anti-aircraft guns during its approach to drop depth charges and was on fire as Trigg made his final attack.
It then crashed, killing Trigg and his crew. The only witnesses to his high courage were the U-boat crew members. Since Trigg has no burial place, he is commemorated on the Malta Memorial to the 2,298 Commonwealth aircrew who lost their lives around the Mediterranean during the Second World War and who have no known grave.[2]
The U-boat sank but the seven survivors were rescued by a Royal Navy vessel and the captain reported the incident, recommending Trigg be decorated for his bravery. The Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously.
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On this day let us pause in memory of those fine people who stood up and walked forward and who are still On Watch. And let us never take for granted those freedoms that they fought for and won on our behalf, at such terrible cost.
AH
Trigg was an experienced pilot (he had already been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross)[1] while attached to 200 Squadron RAF, operating with Coastal Command. He was flying his first operational flight in a Liberator V (having previously flown Hudsons) over the Atlantic from his base in Bathurst, West Africa (now Banjul, The Gambia), on 11 August 1943 when he engaged the German submarine U-468 under the command of Klemens Schamong.
His aircraft received several catastrophic hits from the submarine's anti-aircraft guns during its approach to drop depth charges and was on fire as Trigg made his final attack.
It then crashed, killing Trigg and his crew. The only witnesses to his high courage were the U-boat crew members. Since Trigg has no burial place, he is commemorated on the Malta Memorial to the 2,298 Commonwealth aircrew who lost their lives around the Mediterranean during the Second World War and who have no known grave.[2]
The U-boat sank but the seven survivors were rescued by a Royal Navy vessel and the captain reported the incident, recommending Trigg be decorated for his bravery. The Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously.
++++++++
On this day let us pause in memory of those fine people who stood up and walked forward and who are still On Watch. And let us never take for granted those freedoms that they fought for and won on our behalf, at such terrible cost.
AH