Hugh James (RAF officer)

Hugh James
Nickname(s) "Jimmy"
Born (1922-10-03)3 October 1922
Cilfynydd, Wales
Died 7 January 2015(2015-01-07) (aged 92)
Cardiff, Wales
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Air Force
Years of service 1940–1965
Rank Squadron Leader
Unit No. 216 Squadron RAF
No. 24 Squadron RAF
Battles/wars

Second World War

Berlin Airlift
Awards Air Force Cross & Bar
Distinguished Flying Medal

Hugh Glanffrwd "Jimmy" James AFC & Bar, DFM (3 October 1922 – 7 January 2015) was a Welsh aviator and Royal Air Force (RAF) officer, who rose to the rank of squadron leader.

His plane, a Bristol Bombay of No. 216 Squadron RAF (a slow transport plane flying a usually "safe" route) was shot down on 7 August 1942 carrying Lieutenant General William Gott to meet Churchill; leading to Bernard Montgomery's promotion in his place and making possible his subsequent victory over Rommel's "Desert Rats".[1][2]

References

  1. ↑ "Squadron Leader Hugh James: Pilot whose plane was shot down carrying 'Strafer' Gott, leading to Montgomery's hour of glory". The Independent. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "Squadron Leader Hugh 'Jimmy' James – obituary". Telegraph.co.uk. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
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