Gerard Wilfred O’Donovan DSO DFC
Gerry O’Donovan was born at Ferndale, Glamorgan on March 24th, 1921. He was educated at Port Talbot grammar School where he became head boy. His home was at Park View, Port Talbot.
He joined the RAF in June 1940 and trained as a pilot in the United States. In late 1943, at the height of the Battle of Berlin, he joined No12 Squadron before transferring to the Pathfinder force. On the formation of No 852 Squadron he was appointed flight commander.
As the Allied armies into Belgium and Holland in September 1944, the resupply organisation was stretched to the limit and it became crucial to make use of the inland port of Antwerp some 40 miles up the river Scheldt. Although the port was in Allied hands, German forces held the island of Walcherin, which dominated approaches from the sea. It was decided to destroy the massive sea walls to flood some of the gun batteries.
On October 3rd, 1944 O’Donovan was the main marker for a force of 252 Lancasters entrusted with the task. The main bomber force was composed of eight waves of thirty aircraft each. O’Donovan marked the target for the first wave but the bombing was poor. He re-marked the target and the accuracy improved, but this did not stop him making a third run to drop markers – this despite heavy opposition. After a wide orbit he made yet another run to drop more markers. This time the walls were breached and the island suffered heavy flooding.
O’Donovan was awarded an immediate DSO. The raid on Walcheren was his 45th with the Pathfinders and he was due for a rest. His crew dispersed but he volunteered to continue and with a new crew, marked targets deep into Germany. On February 13/14th,1945 he attacked Dresden. It was his 60th operation with No 582 and his 90th bombing sortie.
With the war drawing to a close he was grounded and awarded a DFC. He remained in the RAF as a bomber pilot and flew the B29 Washington with 138 Squadron before serving in Singapore on the staff of the Far East Air Force. After a period at the Air Ministry he retired at his own request in 1961
Gerry O’Donovan was born at Ferndale, Glamorgan on March 24th, 1921. He was educated at Port Talbot grammar School where he became head boy. His home was at Park View, Port Talbot.
He joined the RAF in June 1940 and trained as a pilot in the United States. In late 1943, at the height of the Battle of Berlin, he joined No12 Squadron before transferring to the Pathfinder force. On the formation of No 852 Squadron he was appointed flight commander.
As the Allied armies into Belgium and Holland in September 1944, the resupply organisation was stretched to the limit and it became crucial to make use of the inland port of Antwerp some 40 miles up the river Scheldt. Although the port was in Allied hands, German forces held the island of Walcherin, which dominated approaches from the sea. It was decided to destroy the massive sea walls to flood some of the gun batteries.
On October 3rd, 1944 O’Donovan was the main marker for a force of 252 Lancasters entrusted with the task. The main bomber force was composed of eight waves of thirty aircraft each. O’Donovan marked the target for the first wave but the bombing was poor. He re-marked the target and the accuracy improved, but this did not stop him making a third run to drop markers – this despite heavy opposition. After a wide orbit he made yet another run to drop more markers. This time the walls were breached and the island suffered heavy flooding.
O’Donovan was awarded an immediate DSO. The raid on Walcheren was his 45th with the Pathfinders and he was due for a rest. His crew dispersed but he volunteered to continue and with a new crew, marked targets deep into Germany. On February 13/14th,1945 he attacked Dresden. It was his 60th operation with No 582 and his 90th bombing sortie.
With the war drawing to a close he was grounded and awarded a DFC. He remained in the RAF as a bomber pilot and flew the B29 Washington with 138 Squadron before serving in Singapore on the staff of the Far East Air Force. After a period at the Air Ministry he retired at his own request in 1961