RAF Mildenhall remembers Flight Sgt. Middleton

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Building 464 is stop nine on RAF Mildenhall's Heritage Trail. It's an unassuming brick building which was built in 1931 and was once the officer's mess.

In December 2000, the 100th Air Refueling Wing received permission to memorialize the building as Middleton Hall in memory of Royal Australian Air Force Flight Sgt. Rawdon Hume Middleton.

According to the Australian War Memorial website, Middleton enlisted in the RAAF Oct. 14, 1940. He learned to fly in New South Wales and was later sent to Canada to continue flight training.

Middleton was posted to the Royal Air Force's 149 Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, in February 1942 and began his operational career.

Middleton was captain and first pilot of an aircraft tasked to attack a factory in Turino, Italy, in November 1942, said Mark Howell, 100th ARW historian.

That was Middleton's final mission, for which his bravery earned a posthumous Victoria Cross - Britain's highest award for gallantry.

Middleton was buried at St. John's Church, Beck Row, Suffolk, with full military honors.

The following is a detailed account of the mission, according to the Australian War Memorial website:

On Nov. 28, 1942, Middleton took off on his 29th mission, to Turino.

"[During that mission,] Middleton's aircraft was struck by flak over the target, [and] one shell exploded in the cockpit, wounding Middleton in the face and destroying his right eye," the website states. "The same shell also wounded the second pilot and wireless operator. Middleton lost consciousness and the aircraft dived to just 800 feet before the second pilot brought it under control. They were hit by more flak as they tried to escape the target.

"When Middleton regained consciousness he began the long and grueling flight back over the Alps toward England, knowing that his damaged aircraft had insufficient fuel to complete the journey," the website continues. "The crew discussed the possibility of abandoning the aircraft or trying to land in northern France, but Middleton decided to head for England where his crew would have the chance to bail out."

As Middleton's crew approached the French coast, they were hit again by light anti-aircraft fire, but continued to fly.

"Now over the English coast with only five minutes of fuel left, Middleton ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft," cited the website. "Five men left the stricken plane and two remained on board to help Middleton, before attempting to parachute to safety, although unfortunately both drowned. The [airplane] then crashed into the sea, killing Middleton. He was only one operation away from completing his first tour on bombers."

Middleton was resolute to attack the target regardless the cost, and determined to not allow his crew to fall into enemy hands, said Howell, citing the final paragraph of an extract from the Jan. 12, 1943 London Gazette, which stated:

"All the crew displayed heroism of a high order, the urge to do so came from Flight Sergeant Middleton, whose fortitude and strength of will made possible the completion of the mission. His devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds is unsurpassed in the annals of the Royal Air Force."