User:Trident13/GLacey

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eric Stanley Lock
1920
Nickname	Sawn Off
Place of birth	Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, England
Place of death	Calais, France
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Air Force
Years of service	1920 - 1941
Rank	Pilot Officer
Battles/wars	Battle of Britain
Awards	DFC

Wing Commander JH Lacey was a flying ace of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain

1 Input
2 References
3 External links

[edit] Input

[edit] Input1

God save the King

Ginger Lacey

J. H. "Ginger" Lacey "Ginger" Lacey was the most successful RAF fighter pilot to survive the Battle of Britain. In 1937 Lacey left his job as a drug store clerk to join the RAF's volunteer reserve. Soon this instinctively gifted flier was a flight instructor. In May 1940 Lacey, now flying Hurricanes in 501 Squadron, went to France and shot down three enemy aircraft in a single day to win the Croix de Guerre. He returned to England with five victories. Lacey added to his score as the Battle of France wound down and the Battle of Britain heated up. On a cloudy day in mid-September the 501 Squadron controllers called for a volunteer to intercept a Heinkel 111.

Unbeknownst to them, the Heinkel had bombed Buckingham Palace. The weather was so thick that the volunteer would probably have to bail out at the end of the sortie. Lacey managed to intercept and shoot down the bomber, but had his radiator shot away in the process. He bailed out and almost fell victim to members of the British Home Guard. A string of Anglo-Saxon expletives convinced the Guard that this was no German. In another action he attacked 12 Bf 109s single-handedly. He shot one down, damaged two, and again returned home safely. By the end of October he ran his score up to 18, getting shot down several times in the process.

J.H. "Ginger" Lacey, a Hurricane pilot with 501 Squadron destroyed 5 enemy aircraft during the "Battle of France" and added an additional 18 before the end of 1940 to become the leading British Ace of that desperate first year of the war. His final tally of 28 confirmed, 4 probables and 9 damaged, place him among the top 5 British pilots of WWII in terms of aircraft personally destroyed. Rated an "exceptional" pilot by the best of his peers, he remained largely unheralded, partly due to the fact he was a Sergeant Pilot and upon gaining his commission was posted to India (1943). He commanded No. 17 Squadron there at war's end. His fascinating hardcover book "Fighter Pilot" was re-released in 1988 (Blandford Press, Artillery Row, London, England). It is without a doubt, one of the absolute best books ever written about a wartime pilot, due to the unbelievable events which Jim Lacey survived and the great skill of the author (Richard Townshend Bickers) in relating them in such a fast paced cohesive narrative.Yorkshire born, he was friendly but reserved, modest, "laid back", humorous, quiet and very tough. Some of his exploits including shooting down the HE-111 which bombed Buckingham Palace; putting the first Spitfire over Japan; and outmaneuvering two ME-109's (when he was out of ammunition) and causing them to crash into each other as they converged to finish him off. (Both E/A were destroyed.) He also shared a visit with the famous Edgar "Cobber" Kain (top Battle of France Ace with 17 kills) while bombers attacked their airfield near Rouen. They discovered after that they had been sitting next to the gasoline dump! He served under the distinguished S/L Paddy Finucane (32 victories), with J.B. Nicholson V.C. (Only fighter pilot V.C. of the Battle of Britain), shared 2 "beers" with a distinguished visitor to his Squadron (King George VI), and had George "Screwball" Beurling (top Canadian Ace) as one of his students at an O.T.U.

Squadron leader Ginger Lacey (1917-1989) Final Tally: 28 Fighter Aircraft Flown: Hawker Hurricane Rank at End of War: Squadron Leader Medals and Awards: Croix de Guerre, DFM+Bar Campaign Flown: Battle of Britain^[1]

[edit] Input2

Sgt J.H.`Ginger` Lacey (RAF No. 134518 ) was of average height, slim build he was a qualified flying instructor. A Yorkshire man born at Whetherby on February the 1st, 1917 and died on the 30th of May 1989. He flew Hurricane's with No 501 Squadron and for shooting down 5 enemy aircraft between May 10 and June 19, 1940, during the Battle for France, James Harry "Ginger" Lacey was awarded the D.F.M. and Croix de Guerre, and was Mentioned in Dispatches. For destroying another 18 between July the 10th and October the 31st 1940 he was given a bar to his D.F.M. This was the greatest number attained by an R.A.F. fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain. Sgt J.H.C.Lacy of No 501 Squadron landed his Hurricane on the 30th of August 1940 with a shattered radiator and 87 bullet holes in the wing and fuselage. On the 13th of September 1940 he baled out of his HurricaneI (P2793) after being hit by return fire from a He 111 over Maidstone. Also on this day Buckingham Palace was bombed, but the He 111 did not get away, it was shot down by Sgt Ginger Lacey He scored four victories in 1941 and his last in 1945. Only five R.A.F. pilots exceeded his total of 28. He was also credited with four probables and nine damaged. Ginger Lacey was assessed exceptional as a pilot and as a marksman, he was brilliant. A natural leader, he inspired those under his command by example, quiet authority and professional ability.^[2]

[edit] Input3

Results for Ginger Lacey after the Battle of Britain

1. On 15 January 1941 Sergeant Pilot J H Lacey was formally discharged from the RAF and re-entered service as what?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was Pilot Officer J H Lacey.

According to the book 'Ginger Lacey, Fighter Pilot' by Richard Townshend Bickers, he only became an officer because holders of the DFM (which he was) got a £20 cash bounty on leaving the service. Being discharged and becoming an officer was the quickest way to get the cash! Despite his famous nickname, his wife and close friends all called him 'Jim'.

41% of players have answered correctly.

2. On 24 July 1941, flying a Spitfire Mk II equipped with 30 gallon long-range tanks under its wings, Ginger Lacey ran out of ammunition and only lived because the two Me109s pursuing him collided. He was over Brest, proving cover for Wellingtons attempting to bomb what?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was The German pocket battleships Scharnhost and Gneisenau.

Set on by two Me109a simultaneously, his aircraft was damaged and it was only his airmanship that saved him. From his logbook: '2 Me109s destroyed (by collision) Oh what a prang was there my countrymen. (Quote from someone or other)' (It seems that he had 'Oh what a fall was there, my countrymen' from Marc Anthony in mind...)

53% of players have answered correctly.

3. On 18 August 1941 Lacey was posted as an instructor to No.57 Operational Training Unit at Hawarden in Flintshire. Whilst there he had a memorable student, who he described as 'a wonderful pilot, and even better shot'. This Canadian student, whose given first name was George, became known as 'The Falcon of Malta' and was one of the best aces of World War II. What was his best-known nickname?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was 'Screwball'.

George 'Screwball' Beurling (earlier known as Buzz) had applied to join the Royal Canadian Air Force, but was turned down - a decision the RCAF later admitted was a mistake. This fascinating man was killed in 1948 and now rests in Mount Carmel Cemetery as an Israeli hero. 'Sailor' Malan was a South African ace and 'Cats-Eye Cunningham a RAF night fighter - the only 'Dizzy' I know of is the Jazz player Gillespie...

35% of players have answered correctly.

4. In 1942 Ginger Lacey joined 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, led by Squadron Leader 'Paddy' Finucane, another Battle of Britain ace. On 24 March, which aircraft did Ginger Lacey encounter for the first time, damaging it, but was left with the impression of a fighter 'which could walk away from a Spitfire with no trouble at all'?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was Focke-Wolf 190.

The Focke-Wolf 190 was one of the best fighters of World War II, with a top speed of 400 mph. Ginger Lacey damaged 3 Fw-190s but never shot one down.

62% of players have answered correctly.

5. On 25 April 1942 the Squadron had a visitor. Lacey, always a hospitable type, promptly bought him a pint of beer, which he drank, but Lacey noticed a small frown on C-in-C Fighter Command's face. The visitor had a sherry as his next drink. Who had Lacey bought a pint for without ascertaining his taste?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was King George VI.

He would buy anyone a pint! Pints of good bitter, red wine, G&T and good malt whiskys were his tipples. An early encounter with Somerset 'scrumpy' (strong cider) left him with a lifelong aversion to the drink! Albert Ball was a famous British WWI fighter ace.

53% of players have answered correctly.

6. After a spell as 'Tactics Officer' with HQ No. 18 Group and some time at Boscombe Down as a test pilot, followed by instructing again, Lacey was posted overseas. He travelled on the SS Aorangi to an unknown destination. Who did he meet on the ship?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was His future wife, Sheila Latchford.

Lacey thought that the Wren, Sheila, had the finest legs on the ship! They were married for 42 years, so not a bad way to pick a wife!

53% of players have answered correctly.

7. Arriving in Bombay, Lacey was having a drink with an Indian Army subaltern from Probyn's Horse, when he was set upon by an American Air Corps Captain. How did Lacey take his revenge?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was Got him drunk and had a Union Jack tatooed on his chest.

The American, identified only as 'Chuck' in 'Ginger Lacey, Fighter Pilot', had just been ditched for an Englishman by his English fiancee, so was feeling very disgruntled. An American major, who helped Lacey do this, was very amused by this creative revenge!

50% of players have answered correctly.

8. Desperate to command a squadron, the then Squadron Leader Lacey became Squadron Leader Training of Third Tactical Air Force HQ in Komila, sharing an office with the only Fighter Command VC of WWII. Who was this man?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was Jimmy Nicholson.

Jimmy Nicholson won his VC for an epic battle when, having been shot by a Me-110 he went on to destroy another Messerschmitt despite his Hurricane and himself being on fire. Although he recovered from his injuries, he was killed in action in India. The wrong answers are all Victoria Cross recipients. The VC is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

38% of players have answered correctly.

9. Following another course, Lacey was given temporary command of 155 Squadron for three weeks and then, at last, on 23 November 1944 was given his first squadron, No. 17 Squadron at Sapam in Assam. Does this squadron still exist in the RAF?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was Y.

According to www.raf.mod.uk, 'on 19 May 2005, the Squadron officially reformed with the presentation of the Squadron Standard at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, to become No 17 (Reserve) Squadron, the Typhoon Operational Evaluation Unit'.

74% of players have answered correctly.

10. On 14 December 1944, 17 Squadron moved to Takkuyan in Burma. What unconventional order did Lacey issue in order for 17 to become 'the first Gurkha squadron in the RAF'?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was All ranks to shave their heads in the Gurkha style.

Shaven heads (with a Hindu topknot to enable them to be 'carried off to Heaven') raised morale among the Squadron and the locals, but was not received well in the stuffier parts of the RAF! Needless to say, Lacey returned from Burma with his own Kukhri...

50% of players have answered correctly.

11. On 19 February Lacey shot down his only Japanese aircraft of the war, an Oscar. A worried flight-sergeant fitter asked him if he was sure he'd got the Oscar, as he had only used 9 rounds of ammunition. What was Lacey's reply?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was 'Oh, really Flight? As many as nine? You surprise me!'.

In his logbook, Lacey noted '1 Oscar II destroyed (very clueless type)'

35% of players have answered correctly.

12. What did Ginger Lacey do on 8 July 1945?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was Married his Wren, Sheila.

Ginger and Sheila got married in Kodaicanal, India. Their home in Flamborough, where Ginger retired to, was called 'Kodai', leading all his daughters to imagine they had married in a canal! Nobody ever spelt the name of the house right...(Ginger Lacey was stung 3 times in one day by a scorpion, but that was on April 13 1945 - I don't know if it was a Friday!)

59% of players have answered correctly.

13. On 16 July, only 8 days after his wedding, Lacey returned to his Squadron to try out the new Spitfire XIV - and promptly nearly killed himself! Trying out what manoeuvre?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was Loop the loop.

He'd gone into the loop much too slowly snd at the top, stalled and spun inverted. He only just managed to pull out in time. In his own words in the book, 'Ginger Lacey, Fighter Pilot' - 'I have never been closer to being killed'.

47% of players have answered correctly.

14. Although the war ended on 15 August 1945 (VJ Day), the invasion of Malaysia was planned, and although it had changed from 'Operation Zipper' to 'Exercise Zipper', Lacey was on the way to Malaysia. What did he do from HMS Trumpeter?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was Flew the first operationally loaded Spitfire XIV from an escort carrier.

The take off was achieved from a 420 foot deck! Luckily, HMS Trumpeter manged a heroic 17 knots and all 20 of the Spitfires took off safely.

59% of players have answered correctly.

15. With the war over, it's time to end this quiz. However, Lacey became the first Spitfire to fly over Japan at the end of the war on 20 April 1946. What was his logbook comment?

Your Answer: [No Answer] The correct answer was Hiroshima is flat, repeat flat.

On VJ day his logbook comment was 'Japs pack in. Now for the next war'. Ginger Lacey went on to do many more exciting things until his death - if you're interested in doing another quiz, please let me know. Don't forget to rank this quiz, and I welcome all feedback!^[3]