Jean MUIR - Fashion Designer. 1928-1995
Squadron Leader Robert Campbell Muir DFC
Synopsis
Book out of print PDF file available
When aircraft were first sent into battle in the early years of the First World War, the pilot was considered to be the ‘chauffeur’ and was normally a Non Commissioned Officer, the ‘Captain’ of the aircraft was the ‘Observer’ who was a Commissioned Officer.
Later on the roles were reversed, by the outbreak of the Second World War the pilot of any aircraft was always the ‘Captain’ with the aircraft and crew being his total responsibility.
This state of affairs resulted in most non-pilot crew members being relegated to a minor supporting role with almost all publicity and credit going to the pilot, who also tended to be awarded the medals.
In reality all crew members of an aircraft were vital to the safe operation of the aeroplane, the operation to attack the enemy relied on the team effort. Never more so than when flying operations in the fast twin engined Mosquito fighter bomber used for low level intruder sorties over enemy territory.
This brief account of one man’s contribution is even more extraordinary as one of the pilots he flew with had only one eye, it takes very little imagination to work out how vital the ‘Observer’s’ role was in this particular team, the navigational skills and experience built up over the years, totalling 59 operational sorties, indicate that Squadron Leader Robert ‘Bob’ Muir of 605 Squadron deserved his award of the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) and more.
For a man who was considered too old (early 30s) to cope with fast aircraft, the powers that be changed the planned for posting from slow flying Sunderland Flying Boats to Bostons and then onto Mosquitos. His age gave him the advantage to realise that his life and that of his pilot depended on meticulous planning, pin-point navigating to enable them to return to base safely ready to fight and fly on the next operation. His dedication to duty resulted in him being made Squadron Navigation officer, all those who chose to take note of his advice and teaching increased their chances of surviving the dangerous missions they were sent out on.
This book is dedicated to all those air crews who risked their lives in defence of Great Britain and her Allies, to those who survived, ‘Well Done’, to those who lost their lives, ‘You will not be forgotten’.
When aircraft were first sent into battle in the early years of the First World War, the pilot was considered to be the ‘chauffeur’ and was normally a Non Commissioned Officer, the ‘Captain’ of the aircraft was the ‘Observer’ who was a Commissioned Officer.
Later on the roles were reversed, by the outbreak of the Second World War the pilot of any aircraft was always the ‘Captain’ with the aircraft and crew being his total responsibility. This state of affairs resulted in most non-pilot crew members being relegated to a minor supporting role with almost all publicity and credit going to the pilot, who also tended to be awarded the medals.
In reality all crew members of an aircraft were vital to the safe operation of the aeroplane, the operation to attack the enemy relied on the team effort. Never more so than when flying operations in the fast twin engined Mosquito fighter bomber used for low level intruder sorties over enemy territory.
This brief account of one man’s contribution is even more extraordinary as one of the pilots he flew with had only one eye, it takes very little imagination to work out how vital the ‘Observer’s’ role was in this particular team, the navigational skills and experience built up over the years, totalling 59 operational sorties, indicate that Squadron Leader Robert ‘Bob’ Muir of 605 Squadron deserved his award of the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) and more.
For a man who was considered too old (early 30s) to cope with fast aircraft, the powers that be changed the planned for posting from slow flying Sunderland Flying Boats to Bostons and then onto Mosquitos. His age gave him the advantage to realise that his life and that of his pilot depended on meticulous planning, pin-point navigating to enable them to return to base safely ready to fight and fly on the next operation. His dedication to duty resulted in him being made Squadron Navigation officer, all those who chose to take note of his advice and teaching increased their chances of surviving the dangerous missions they were sent out on.
This book is dedicated to all those air crews who risked their lives in defence of Great Britain and her Allies, to those who survived, ‘Well Done’, to those who lost their lives, ‘You will not be forgotten’.