491:
33:
584:
as his radar operator, destroyed a Ju 88 on the night of 17 January 1943 that a definitive aerial victory was achieved for the squadron with its new
Mosquitos. Respected as a commander despite his intolerance of vices such as smoking and drinking, which he believed could affect a pilot's performance, his tenure in charge of the squadron ended shortly afterwards. In February Raphael was awarded the
583:
In mid-August, No. 85 Squadron was taken off operations so it could train up on conventional
Mosquito night fighters, which were replacing the Havocs. It resumed operations in October. Although some pilots claimed to have damaged some Luftwaffe aircraft, it was not until Raphael, flying with Addison
592:
Since being awarded a Bar to the
Distinguished Flying Cross, Wing Commander Raphael has destroyed 3 enemy aircraft at night. By his inspiring leadership, great skill and untiring efforts, he has contributed in a large measure to the high morale and operational efficiency of the squadron he
1115:
563:
on the night of 16 September. Tactics changed from the start of 1942, and the squadron's aircraft began operating over the North Sea but the Havocs proved to be inadequate for the task. It also briefly trialled a
1120:
435:, again flying Whitleys. He only flew ten sorties, and on one of these his Whitley was again targeted by a night fighter but it was driven off. He was then posted away on instructing duties at the
624:
launched at
England from France in June and July 1944, Raphael occasionally flew Mosquitos on interception missions; he destroyed one V-1 on the night of 29 June and a second on 6 July. In the
580:
but it is possible that anti-aircraft fire accounted for this success. Three nights later over Dengle Flats, he destroyed a Ju 88; on this occasion, his radar operator was a
Sergeant Bray.
313:
394:(DFC). Buoyed by the news of his award, he flew a sortie the night following the announcement even though he was due to stand down. While flying to his target, an oil refinery near
424:
after a few hours floating in a dinghy. Raphael was wounded in the feet during the engagement and had to be hospitalised for two months. During his recuperation he was promoted to
383:, the first Canadian to be recognised in this way in the war. Further missions followed, including two long-range sorties to Poland which entailed refuelling stops in France.
1105:
490:
545:
This officer has proved himself to be a relentless and skilful night fighter pilot. Since May, 1941, he has destroyed three and probably another of the enemy's aircraft.
1095:
651:. He is credited with the shooting down of seven aircraft as well as one aircraft probably destroyed and one damaged. Additionally, he destroyed two V-1 flying bombs.
391:
253:
209:
180:
767:
1100:
1110:
395:
713:
1056:
1037:
505:'s bombing campaign against England, was winding down and its last major raid was mounted on the night of 10 May. Guided by his
436:
647:
transport aircraft over the southeast of
England. Survived by his wife and son, Raphael is buried at Cudham Churchyard in
1085:
585:
360:
277:
237:
202:
176:
1090:
673:
633:
409:
claimed to have destroyed the Bf 110 as it passed to the rear of the
Whitley. Raphael ditched the aircraft in the
379:, in France. He flew several more missions of this nature over the next few months. On 20 February 1940 he was
576:
and placed in charge of the squadron. On the night of 30 July, Raphael claimed to have damaged a Ju 88 near
380:
249:
644:
625:
565:
321:
273:
188:
1049:
Aces High: A Tribute to the Most
Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII
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fighters. It saw limited success with the
Hurricanes and in April began converting to the two-seater
399:
375:
in the Ruhr but on the return flight to
England he was low on fuel and had to land at an airfield in
340:
285:
280:
in February 1943, he held base postings for most of the remainder of the war. Appointed commander of
768:"The Night Fighter : How Gordon Learmouth (Raffy) Raphael Became a Decorated After-dark Pilot"
476:
460:
448:
432:
356:
269:
245:
241:
144:
792:
533:
medium bomber. The following month, on the night of 13 July, he shot down a He 111 to the east of
225:(RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down at least seven aircraft.
1009:
989:
984:
937:
917:
870:
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797:
484:
332:
309:
296:
Gordon Learmouth Raphael was born on 25 August 1915 to Howard Raphael, a doctor, and his wife in
233:
1004:
32:
559:
and given command of one of No. 85 Squadron's flights. He shot down a Ju 88 night fighter over
1052:
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425:
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37:
Portrait of Raphael taken around the time of being awarded the Distinguished Service Order
431:
Once Raphael recovered from his wounds, he returned to operational duties in August with
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518:
514:
352:
336:
1069:
629:
530:
402:
376:
364:
328:
257:
126:
628:, Raphael was mentioned in despatches. In February 1945, Raphael was promoted to
517:
medium bomber to the north of London that night. He shot down one He 111 off the
613:
452:
418:
406:
387:
371:
on the night of 8 September 1939. This involved dropping propaganda leaflets on
325:
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140:
572:
searchlight but this was not a success. In May Raphael was promoted to acting
569:
414:
218:
957:
648:
577:
541:
to his DFC. This was gazetted on 23 August and the published citation read:
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297:
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261:
229:
213:
184:
159:
86:
55:
359:, which operated the largest of the RAF's bomber aircraft at the time, the
264:
on London, many with his radar operator William Addison, and was awarded a
560:
526:
301:
59:
1116:
Canadian recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
312:. He desired a career in aviation design and commenced studies at the
368:
828:
826:
824:
822:
820:
818:
816:
814:
812:
810:
808:
537:. In August he was recognised for his successes with an award of a
324:. After completing his initial training, he was commissioned as an
639:
On 11 April 1945, Raphael was killed in a midair collision of his
506:
489:
483:, Hertfordshire had just become operational with the twin-engined
386:
From April, No. 77 Squadron began to carry out bombing raids from
372:
612:
in Cambridgeshire and then from April 1943 he was in charge at
284:
in February 1945, he was killed in a flying accident when his
895:
893:
405:. The attack badly damaged the aircraft although Raphael's
314:
Chelsea College of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering
521:
three nights later and probably destroyed a second near
268:
to his DFC. In May 1942, he was appointed to command of
260:
duties. He achieved most of his aerial victories during
351:
On the outbreak of the Second World War, Raphael was a
1121:
Canadian Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
588:(DSO). This was gazetted on 2 February 1943 reading:
555:
In early September Raphael was promoted to temporary
513:
William Addison, Raphael intercepted and destroyed a
390:
in Scotland. On 17 May 1940, Raphael was awarded the
316:. He gave this up the following year and joined the
232:, Raphael joined the RAF in 1936 and was serving in
172:
150:
132:
122:
114:
102:
94:
80:
66:
42:
23:
956:
236:on the outbreak of the Second World War. He flew
494:A Douglas Havoc night fighter of No. 85 Squadron
487:nightfighter (a conversion of a light bomber).
217:(25 August 1915 – 11 April 1945) was a Canadian
1030:Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft
590:
543:
832:
304:province of Canada. Raphael went to school in
1047:Shores, Christopher; Williams, Clive (1994).
801:(Supplement). 20 February 1940. p. 1056.
689:, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
608:Raphael was briefly the station commander at
398:in Germany, his Whitley was intercepted by a
8:
331:in January 1936. His initial posting was to
288:fighter collided with a transport aircraft.
248:during the early stages of the war, and was
993:(Supplement). 2 February 1943. p. 597.
256:(DFC). In early 1941 he was transferred to
447:At the start of 1941, Raphael was sent to
413:and he and his crew were recovered by the
31:
20:
1106:Royal Air Force personnel of World War II
1013:(Supplement). 1 January 1945. p. 64.
950:
948:
761:
759:
757:
755:
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463:, tasked with night fighting duties over
1096:Canadian military personnel from Ontario
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884:
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745:
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741:
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737:
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714:"Group Captain Gordon Learmouth Raphael"
632:and given command of the RAF station at
479:soon afterwards. His new unit, based at
367:, in the north he carried out his first
702:
665:
708:
706:
272:, overseeing the unit's conversion to
343:, an all-metal biplane night bomber.
7:
766:Halliday, Hugh A. (5 January 2023).
716:. Commonwealth War Graves Commission
475:nightfighter. Raphael was posted to
955:Thomas, Andrew (1 February 2017).
874:. 27 September 1940. p. 5715.
685:Addison, who had been promoted to
14:
1101:Canadian World War II flying aces
1032:. London: MacDonald & James.
941:. 9 September 1941. p. 5223.
620:, the RAF's campaign against the
308:and in 1934, went to England for
437:School of General Reconnaissance
598:London Gazette, 2 February 1943
1111:Royal Air Force group captains
568:night fighter fitted with the
1:
921:. 15 July 1941. p. 4063.
854:. 17 May 1940. p. 2966.
550:London Gazette, 15 July 1941
276:night fighters. Awarded the
586:Distinguished Service Order
455:in Cheshire, as one of its
361:Armstrong Whitworth Whitley
339:Yorkshire and operated the
278:Distinguished Service Order
238:Armstrong Whitworth Whitley
177:Distinguished Service Order
16:Canadian flying ace of WWII
1137:
833:Shores & Williams 1994
674:Distinguished Flying Medal
392:Distinguished Flying Cross
254:Distinguished Flying Cross
181:Distinguished Flying Cross
643:fighter with an American
459:. This was a squadron of
320:(RAF) on a short service
30:
672:Addison was awarded the
1051:. London: Grub Street.
1028:Rawlings, John (1976).
381:mentioned in despatches
250:mentioned in despatches
601:
553:
495:
645:Curtiss C-46 Commando
626:1945 New Year Honours
566:de Havilland Mosquito
493:
335:, which was based at
274:de Havilland Mosquito
189:Mention in Despatches
115:Years of service
641:Supermarine Spitfire
473:Boulton Paul Defiant
400:Messerschmitt Bf 110
341:Handley Page Heyford
286:Supermarine Spitfire
221:who served with the
902:, pp. 204–206.
887:, pp. 230–231.
835:, pp. 511–512.
282:Biggin Hill station
137:Biggin Hill station
85:Cudham Churchyard,
1086:Burials in England
1010:The London Gazette
990:The London Gazette
938:The London Gazette
918:The London Gazette
871:The London Gazette
851:The London Gazette
798:The London Gazette
525:. On 23 June, off
496:
1091:Canadian aviators
604:Later war service
529:, he destroyed a
457:flight commanders
426:flight lieutenant
195:
194:
76:Southeast England
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622:V-1 flying bombs
616:in Kent. During
610:RAF Castle Camps
599:
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469:Hawker Hurricane
347:Second World War
300:, a city in the
252:and awarded the
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155:Second World War
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958:"Night Hunters"
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687:warrant officer
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618:Operation Diver
606:
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557:squadron leader
552:
549:
535:Foulness Island
477:No. 85 Squadron
461:Fighter Command
451:, stationed at
449:No. 96 Squadron
445:
433:No. 10 Squadron
357:No. 77 Squadron
349:
318:Royal Air Force
294:
270:No. 85 Squadron
223:Royal Air Force
205:
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165:Operation Diver
145:No. 85 Squadron
143:
141:Manston station
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109:Royal Air Force
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574:wing commander
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519:Thames estuary
515:Heinkel He 111
444:
443:Night fighters
441:
363:. Flying from
353:flying officer
348:
345:
333:No. 7 Squadron
310:tertiary study
293:
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258:night fighting
234:Bomber Command
198:Gordon Raphael
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74:(aged 29)
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53:25 August 1915
44:
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25:Gordon Raphael
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1058:1-8-9869-7000
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1039:0-354-01028-X
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900:Rawlings 1976
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885:Rawlings 1976
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676:for his role.
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630:group captain
627:
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531:Junkers Ju 88
528:
524:
520:
516:
512:
508:
504:
500:
492:
488:
486:
485:Douglas Havoc
482:
478:
474:
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458:
454:
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403:night fighter
401:
397:
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389:
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355:serving with
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329:pilot officer
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240:bombers with
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127:Group Captain
125:
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79:
70:11 April 1945
69:
65:
61:
57:
45:
41:
34:
29:
22:
19:
1048:
1029:
1008:
999:
988:
979:
967:. Retrieved
962:
936:
927:
916:
907:
880:
869:
860:
849:
840:
796:
787:
775:. Retrieved
771:
718:. Retrieved
681:
668:
638:
607:
591:
582:
554:
544:
497:
446:
430:
420:
385:
350:
295:
246:10 Squadrons
227:
197:
196:
151:Battles/wars
72:(1945-04-11)
18:
1081:1945 deaths
1076:1915 births
1005:"No. 36866"
985:"No. 35885"
933:"No. 35270"
913:"No. 35219"
866:"No. 34954"
846:"No. 34852"
793:"No. 34795"
634:Biggin Hill
614:RAF Manston
481:RAF Hunsdon
453:RAF Cranage
407:rear gunner
306:Quebec City
1070:Categories
1022:References
965:. Key Aero
570:Turbinlite
509:operator,
417:destroyer
415:Royal Navy
337:Finningley
322:commission
292:Early life
219:flying ace
95:Allegiance
49:1915-08-25
969:22 August
777:20 August
720:19 August
697:Citations
660:Footnotes
649:Orpington
593:commands.
578:Cambridge
523:Gravesend
503:Luftwaffe
499:The Blitz
465:Liverpool
411:North Sea
365:Driffield
298:Brantford
262:the Blitz
230:Brantford
160:The Blitz
118:1936–1945
89:, England
87:Orpington
56:Brantford
596:—
548:—
511:sergeant
396:Hannover
228:Born in
133:Commands
103:Service/
62:, Canada
561:Clacton
527:Harwich
421:Javelin
388:Kinloss
302:Ontario
242:Nos. 77
60:Ontario
1055:
1036:
772:Legion
501:, the
467:using
369:sortie
326:acting
212:&
183:&
173:Awards
105:branch
98:Canada
81:Buried
655:Notes
507:radar
373:Essen
208:
206:,
1053:ISBN
1034:ISBN
971:2023
779:2023
722:2023
419:HMS
244:and
123:Rank
67:Died
43:Born
539:Bar
377:Buc
266:Bar
214:Bar
210:DFC
203:DSO
191:(2)
185:Bar
1072::
1007:.
987:.
961:.
947:^
935:.
915:.
892:^
868:.
848:.
807:^
795:.
770:.
730:^
705:^
636:.
439:.
428:.
200:,
58:,
1061:.
1042:.
973:.
781:.
724:.
51:)
47:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
