Author Topic: Flight Lieutenant Corder (Read 430 times)

Krusher · « **on:** June 23, 2005, 08:14:06 AM »

full story

Flight Lieutenant Charles Corder, who has died aged 87, was the navigator of a Beaufighter that managed to return to base against all the odds after it had been severely damaged by a Luftwaffe fighter; both he and his pilot were decorated, Corder receiving the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, one of only 113 awarded to airmen.

Corder was the long-serving navigator of the Free French pilot Max Guedj, DFC, who adopted the nom de guerre Lieutenant Maurice to safeguard his Jewish family, who remained in France. On the morning of March 10 1943 they took off for a patrol over the Bay of Biscay, their 71st operation together. When they encountered a Junkers 88 long-range fighter, Guedj attacked, and sent it crashing into the sea. Return fire from the German fighter's gunner severely damaged the aircraft.

Guedj was wounded during the attack and the intercommunication in the aircraft was put out of action. With the situation appearing hopeless, Corder crawled forward to assist the pilot before returning to his seat, where he obtained radio bearings and gave Guedj a course to steer for their base in Cornwall, 180 miles away. One of the two engines failed, and Guedj had difficulty keeping control, forcing him to fly a few feet above the sea. Corder once more crawled forward to assist him, having managed to repair the intercommunication system.

Just before they reached the English coast, the second engine caught fire, which spread to the cockpit. Corder transmitted an SOS and fired distress cartridges to attract the attention of those ashore. As they approached Cornwall, it was clear that the aircraft had either to ditch in the heavy seas or clear the cliffs.

As Corder guided Guedj to the cliffs' lowest point, observers on the ground were convinced that the aircraft would crash; but Guedj managed to clear the cliffs by a few feet before making an emergency landing as the second engine finally failed. Corder's navigation had been so accurate that they managed to crash-land on their own airfield at Predannack.

Spooky · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2005, 08:54:03 AM »

Men like Wing Co. Max Guedj, DSO, DFC are the reason why the "surrendering monkeys" jokes tend to anger me.

He fought to the bitter end, and was killed on january 15, 1945.

a true hero in my book.

SFRT - Frenchy · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2005, 03:31:17 PM »

Wasn't he killed in a mossie, dogfighting 109s?

thrila · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2005, 04:01:56 PM »

Found this

The Black Monday - 15th January 1945

After the eventful battle with the RAF elite bomber Squadrons, there was a short lull in the fighting for White 1. This lasted only two days, however. Gayko took White 1 up again on the 14th but did not encounter any enemy aircraft.

The next day was another story. At approximately 11.18 the Alarmstart sounded at Herdla. Only two minutes later nine Fw 190s are airborne, heading for a reported formation of enemy aircraft at Leirvik, Stord, to the south. In the lead is Oblt. Gayko in White 1.

This formation consists of six Mosquitos from 143 Sqd. Led by the famous French Wing Commander Max Guedj, four Mosquitos from 235. Sqd. and four "TseTse" Mosuitos from 248. Sqd armed with 57 mm cannon. Two Mosquitos from 333 (Norwegian) Sqd. are flying as outriders. This was a formation with highly experienced crewmembers. Their target is the already damaged cargo vessel Claus Rickmers that has taken refuge in Leirvik harbour.

When the German fighters arrive on the scene the Mosquitos have been badly mauled by the heavy Flak protecting the German vessels in the harbour. Guided by Gayko's commanding voice the nine 190s split into three Kettes and dive in to intercept the crippled Mosquitos. Over Selbjørnsfjordseveral small aerial duels develop.

One of the Mosquitos being targeted by three Fw 190s in Guedj's K-King and his wingman, Sdd. Ldr. Fitch. Fitch attempts to thrown off his attacker with a quick turn to the port but the Fw 190 is more manouvreable and hits Fitch's U-Uncle severely. The Mosquito flicks into two rolls before Fitch with the help of his navigator, Fg. Off. Parker manages to regain control of the plane. They are even able to fire a short burst at an Fw 190 attacking Guedj's Mosquito, unfortunately without effect as Guedjis shortly seen to crash into the fjord with his navigator, Flt. Lt. Langley.

Another Mosquito, flown by Flt. Sgt. Chew is fortced to ditch in the sea west of Slåtterøy Lighthouse. Further noprth one of the "TseTSe" Mosuitos actually fires his 57 mm cannon at a Fw 190 and apprently he scores a hit. The Fw 190A-3 of Uffz. Helbing, White 14, W. Nr 2127, is badly damaged and losing height rapidly. Jettisoning his canopy he desperatly looks for a place to make an emergency landing. Before he can attempt one, the smkoing BMW 801 quits and the Fw 190 plunges out of the sky to impact hard againts the ground. Helbing is killed instantly when his forehead is smashed against the Revi sight.

Two other Fw 190s are also lost. They were Fw 190A-8, White 4, W. Nr. 737 410, flown by Uffz. W. Zeuner and Fw 190A-8, White 16, W. Nr. 350 183, flown by Uffz. R. Lehnert. The exact cirumstance surrounding their loss is not clear but they proibably engaged two Mosquitos from 143. Sqd. in a fierce dogfight, which ended with all four planes going down and none of the crewmembers surviving. Eyewitnesses later related about a combat between twin-engined planes and smaller single-engined fighters shooting each other down.

Altogether 5 Mosquitoes were lost this day and sadly, only one cremember survived to become a POW for the remainder of the war. Their target, the Claus Rickmers not only survived the attack but also the war, only to be broken up in Spain in 1964.

straffo · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2005, 04:06:28 PM »

There is not a lot of people I consider heroes but Charles Corder and Max "Maurice" Guedj are part of the list.

SFRT - Frenchy · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2005, 04:34:33 PM »

Mosuitos actually fires his 57 mm cannon at a Fw 190 and apprently he scores a hit

... and the FW was still "flyable". I can't help drawing a comparaison with AH field AAA.

indy007 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2005, 04:43:54 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SFRT - Frenchy
Mosuitos actually fires his 57 mm cannon at a Fw 190 and apprently he scores a hit ... and the FW was still "flyable". I can't help drawing a comparaison with AH field AAA.

Then how come my wing pops off on the first hit?

I feel abused.

spitfiremkv · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2005, 06:16:04 PM »

I'd love to witness a dogfight between a Ju88 and a Beaufighter-prolly like two elephants fighting. I'd think the Beafighter would have the edge-it seems more nimble and more heavily armed.