Operation Shetland 2024: 80th Anniversary of Catalina VCs

Aim: Help us commemorate two Victoria Crosses (VCs) awarded to Catalina Pilots in 1944 by supporting a flight to Aberdeen, Shetland and Wick in the only remaining operational Catalina Flying Boat outside of the Americas.

Background: This year is the 80th anniversary of two VCs being awarded to Catalina Pilots.

On July 17th it will be 80 years since Flt Lt John Cruickshank won his VC for action flying a Catalina of 210 Squadron RAF out of Sullom Voe.

Previously on June 24th, 1944, Flt Lt David Hornell RCAF was awarded a posthumous VC for action flying a Catalina (Consolidated Canso amphibian) of 162 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron RCAF out of RAF Wick.

These were the only Catalina VCs and so to commemorate the 80th anniversary a flight is planned from the Imperial War Museum Duxford (IWM Duxford) to overfly various RAF Coastal Command bases, landing in Aberdeen where John Cruickshank lives before continuing to Sumburgh, Shetland. A flight is planned over Lerwick New Cemetery and Sullom Voe before returning to Duxford via the west coast and a number of RAF Coastal Command stations: Wick, Invergordon, Alness, Inverness and Oban. The whole trip will take 5 days weather permitting.

This commemorative flight will be in G-PBYA a PBY-5A Catalina flying boat with an experienced crew. This aircraft is owned by Catalina Aircraft Limited (CAL) operated by Plane Sailing Air Displays Ltd (PSADL) and supported by The Catalina Society (https://www.catalina.org.uk/). It is based at the IWM Duxford and is the last one still flying outside of the Americas.

Supporting this flight will ensure the heroism of Catalina crews is not forgotten.

Additional notes:

Flt Lt David Hornell RCAF was awarded a posthumous VC for action flying a Catalina (Consolidated Canso amphibian) of 162 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron RCAF out of RAF Wick on June 24th, 1944. Flt Lt Hornell and his crew attacked and sank the German submarine U-1225. The Catalina was badly damaged in the engagement but despite the aircraft being on fire and losing the starboard engine Hornell managed to land it on a heavy swell. The crew took to the only serviceable dinghy and then took turns in the cold water. By the time they were rescued 21 hours later the flight engineers (Scott & Laurent) had died and Hornell died shortly afterwards. He is buried in Lerwick New Cemetery. (Members of David Hornell’s Canso A s/n 9754 crew were: F/L. D.E. Hornell, captain; F/O B.C. Denomy, co-captain; F/O S.E. Matheson, Nav.; F/O G. Campbell, 1st WAG; F/Sgt I.J. Bodnoff, 2nd WAG; F/Sgt S.R. Cole, 3rd WAG; Sgt. D.S. Scott, 1st Eng.; Sgt F. St. Laurent, 2nd Eng.)

Flt Lt John Cruickshank won his VC for action flying a Catalina of 210 Squadron RAF out of Sullom Voe, July 17th 1944. He and his crew attacked U-361. The first pass was unsuccessful as the depth charges did not release. However, they did on the second pass. During this engagement the Catalina had sustained damage and the Navigator (Dickson) was killed. Cruickshank was hit in 72 places with two serious wounds to his lungs and ten penetrating wounds to his lower limbs. He refused morphine so that his judgement would not be affected. The second pilot brought the aircraft back to Sullom Voe; a journey lasting 5 and a half hours during which time Cruickshank lapsed in and out of consciousness. He returned to the cockpit and took command of the aircraft. After another hour Cruickshank landed the aircraft and ran it ashore to stop it from sinking. He needed a blood transfusion before he could be taken to hospital. For his actions in sinking the submarine and saving his crew he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Amazingly, John was 104 on 20th May. He is the last surviving WW2 VC holder. (Members of John Cruickshank's Catalina IVA s/n JV928 crew were: F/O John Cruickshank, Capt; Flt Sgt JS Garnett, 2nd pilot; Flt Sgt John Appleton; F/O JC ‘Dickie’ Dickson, Navigator/Bomb Aimer; SB ‘Paddy” Harbison, Flt Eng; Sgt I Fidler, 3rd Pilot; W/O WC Jenkins and Flt Sgt Gershenson, WOPs; Flt Sgt AI Cretan, Rigger and Sgt RSC Procter, Flight Mechanic Engines. Dickson was killed on board from gun fire and he is buried in Lerwick New Cemetery.)

These were the only Catalina VCs and so to commemorate the 80th anniversary a flight is planned from IWM Duxford to overfly various RAF Coastal Command bases, stopping in Aberdeen where John Cruickshank lives before landing in Sumburgh. A flight is planned over Lerwick New Cemetery and Sullom Voe before returning to Duxford via the west coast and a number of RAF Coastal Command stations; Wick, Invergordon, Alness, Inverness and Oban. Wreaths will be laid In Aberdeen, Lerwick, Sullom Voe and Wick. The whole trip will take 5 days.

In preparation for Operation Shetland a ground recce to Lerwick, Sullom Voe, Invergordon and Alness was undertaken last year by Catalina Pilot Jeff Boyling.