Leg Guards Navy

Leg Guards Navy

Sergeant Norman Jackson Victoria Cross

On the 26/27 April 1944 during the Second World War, 215 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes attacked and raided Schweinfurt.

Strong headwinds, enemy fighter planes attacking them and the wrong marking of the target all added to the drama that was about to unfold. This drama, even today has readers drawing in breath as he becomes horrified by the events.

Sgt Norman Jackson won his Victoria Cross for his exploits on this night for an act of heroism which could be classed as one of the most amazing and unusual events of the war.

It was also on this night that the Captain of the Lancaster and the Rear Gunner were killed. The rest of the crew were captured and became prisoners of war till the end of the war.

Sgt Norman Jack sons' heroic actions only came to light when the crew came back together after the war. Norman had never mentioned it to anyone!

Sgt Norman Jackson was in 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer reserve.

Born Ealing, W London, 8 April 1919

He died in 1994 and is buried at the Percy Road Cemetery, Twickenham, Middlesex.

He was presented with his Victoria Cross by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on the 13th November 1945

His Citation reads from

London Gazette, 26 October 1945

Raid on Schweinfurt, Germany, 26 April 1944, Sergeant Norman Jackson, 106 Squadron, RAFVR.

In recognition of most conspicuous bravery. This airman was the flight engineer in a Lancaster bomber detailed to attack Schweinfurt on the night of 26th April 1944. Bombs were dropped successfully and the aircraft was climbing out of the target area. Suddenly it was attacked by a fighter at about 20,000 feet. The captain took evading action at once but the enemy secured many hits. A fire started near a petrol tank on the upper surface of the starboard wing, between the fuselage and the inner engine. Sergeant Jackson was thrown to the floor during the engagement. Wounds which he received from shell splinters in the right leg and shoulder were probably sustained at that time. Recovering himself, he remarked that he could deal with the fire on the wing and obtained his captain's permission to try to put out the flames.

Pushing a hand fire-extinguisher into the top of his life-saving jacket and slipping on his parachute pack, Sergeant Jackson jettisoned the escape hatch above the pilot's head. He then started to climb out of the cockpit and back along the top of the fuselage to the starboard wing. Before he could leave the fuselage his parachute pack opened and the whole canopy and rigging lines spilled into the cockpit. Undeterred, Sergeant Jackson continued. The pilot, bomb aimer and navigator gathered the parachute together and held on to the rigging lines, paying them out as the airman crawled aft. Eventually he slipped and, falling from the fuselage to the starboard wing, grasped an air intake on the leading edge of the wing. He succeeded in clinging on but lost the extinguisher, which was blown away.

By this time, the fire had spread rapidly and Sergeant Jackson was involved. His face, hands and clothing were severely burnt. Unable to retain his hold, he was swept through the flames and over the trailing edge of the wing, dragging his parachute behind. When last seen it was only partly inflated and was burning in a number of places.

Realising that the fire could not be controlled, the captain gave the order to abandon aircraft. Four of the remaining members of the crew landed safely. The captain and rear gunner have not been accounted for. Sergeant Jackson was unable to control his descent and landed heavily. He sustained a broken ankle, his right eye was closed through burns and his hands were useless. These injuries, together with the wounds received earlier, reduced him to a pitiable state. At daybreak he crawled to the nearest village, where he was taken prisoner. He bore the intense pain and discomfort of the journey to Dulag Luft with magnificent fortitude. After 10 months in hospital he made a good recovery, though his hands required further treatment and were only of limited use.

This airman's attempt to extinguish the fire and save the aircraft and crew from falling into enemy hands was an act of outstanding gallantry. To venture outside, when travelling at 200 miles an hour, at a great height and in intense cold, was an almost incredible feat. Had he succeeded in subduing the flames, there was little or no prospect of his regaining the cockpit. The spilling of his parachute and the risk of grave damage to its canopy reduced his chances of survival to a minimum. By his ready willingness to face these dangers he set an example of self-sacrifice which will ever be remembered

Sgt Norman Jacksons medals were

Victoria Cross

1939-45 Star

Air Crew Europe Star

Italy Star

Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )

War Medal ( 1939-45 )

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )

Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal ( 1977 )

They were sold by Spink for £200,000 in April 2004. It was then a record price for a VC group

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About The Author

Publishing pro and author/filmmaker Barry Sheppard has a hobby of studying British Military Medals and is building a website showing details of British Medals especially the Victoria Cross http://www.medalnews.com