Squadron Leader ROBERT ANTHONY MAURICE PALMER
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
109 Sqdn.
Died 23 December 1944
Age 24 years old
- Country of Service United Kingdom
- Awards Victoria Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, Mentioned in Despatches
- Additional Info Son of Arthur Robert and Lillian Palmer, of Gravesend, Kent; brother of Douglas Palmer.
- Personal Inscription 'A LONELY IMPULSE OF DELIGHT DROVE TO THIS TUMULT IN THE CLOUDS'
- Additional Citation note
The following is taken from the London Gazette of March 20th 1945 :- This officer had completed 110 bombing missions. Most of them involved deep penetration of heavily defended territory; many were low-level "marking" operations against vital targets; all were executed with tenacity, high courage and great accuracy, so that he was invariably selected for particularly important missions. The finest example of his courage and determination was on December 23rd 1944, when he led a formation of Lancasters to attack the marshalling yards at Cologne in daylight. Before the target was reached heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered and two of his plane's engines were set on fire. Squadron Leader Palmer ignored the double risk of fire and explosion in his aircraft and kept on. He made a perfect approach and his bombs hit the target. His aircraft was last seen spiralling to the earth in flames. Squadron Leader Palmer was an outstanding pilot. He displayed conspicuous bravery. His record of prolonged and heroic endeavour is beyond praise.
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