Yes I am. Funny how these things pop up. I was in game last week, having a chat to Lyric via p.m. about the new graphics while trying to avoid being shot down, and F/O Tuff Story came to mind. "Wing Leader" is one of the few books I have, I picked it up off the shelf, and now im more than interested.
Tks again.
Yes & thank you for that email & here is part of the book.
TUFF, Robert Bruce, F/O (Aus 409257, Royal Australian Air Force) -
No.263 Squadron - Mention in Despatches - awarded as per London Gazette
dated 8 June 1944 and Australia Gazette dated 22 June 1944. Public
Record Office Air 2/9219 has recommendation for a George Cross which was
reduced to an MiD:
"On the 22nd February 1944, Flying Officer Tuff was returning from an
armed shipping reconnaissance when he observed that his squadron
commander (Squadron Leader G.B. Warnes, DSO, DFC) who had been compelled
to alight on the sea some 20 miles northwest of Guernsey, was in
difficulties and some 50 yards away from his dinghy. Flying Officer Tuff
passed the information to his deputy leader by radio telephone and
informed him that he intended to abandon his aircraft and go to the
assistance of Squadron Leader Warnes, who also appeared to be injured.
Flying Officer Tuff undoubtedly realized that, in view of the rough sea
and poor visibility, it would be extremely unlikely that he would be
able to alight on the sea close to Squadron Leader Warnes, and that to
reach him he would probably have to swim a long distance in a perilous
sea. He was a strong swimmer, however, and was evidently prepared if
necessary to discard his own dinghy. Even if he reached Squadron Leader
Warnes the chances of being picked up were extremely small in view of
their distance from Guernsey and the roughness of the sea. Nevertheless,
Flying Officer Tuff, in cold blood, took the risk in order to try and
save the life of his squadron commander. In spite of every effort being
made to locate Squadron Leader Warnes and Flying Officer Tuff they have
not since been found. Flying Officer Tuff showed extreme bravery in
attempting to help a comrade and his self-sacrifice was worthy of the
highest praise."
