Citation Distinguished Flying Cross - No. 218 Squadron RAF. Flight Lieutenant Pettit has been operating with No.218 Squadron since September 1942 and has completed 27 operations involving 160 flying hours. He has undoubtedly shown himself to be one of the most tenacious and level headed pilots in the squadron.On two occasions towards the end of 1942 he displayed great resolution in pressing home his attack on certain targets after his aircraft had been badly damaged by enemy action. In October (1) 1942, while on operations to Hearnwyk his aircraft was so badly shot up that it seemed impossible to attack. Flight Lieutenant Pettit, however, pressed home his attack with three engines, one having received a hit and cut, and daringly bombed in the face of heavy opposition. He was able to bring his badly damaged aircraft back to base where he crash landed with an unserviceable undercarriage. Jeff Oulton, Navigator, recalled: "The splinters sounded like hail stones rattling against a window. My captain dived to 300 feet to get away from the guns. On our way home, we found ourselves over Flensburg. There we were trapped by searchlights and held in them for 10 minutes before we could get away. We were hit again and again, and there were many jagged holes in the airframe. But no important control was damaged and we flew home all right." In November (9) 1942 while on an operation to Hamburg their Stirling was intercepted and badly shot up by two night fighters. Despite this, Pettit carried on and bombed the target on three engines and made a safe return. In February (14) 1943 the crew took part in an attack on Cologne. Whilst over the city their aircraft was held in the searchlights (coned) and hit by anti-aircraft fire. One engine was put out of action and two windows beside the pilot were blown in. Despite this, Flight Lieutenant Pettit successfully bombed his target. His exemplary conduct has been worthy of high praise."
Flight Lieutenant Pettit has, at all times, displayed keenness of a high order towards operational effort, and has been a splendid example to younger and inexperienced pilots joining the squadron. He is very strongly recommended for an immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross 432 Squadron
Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader Pettit has completed many attacks on heavily defended targets. He has displayed outstanding qualities of courage, skill and determination. His operational record during both of his tours has set an inspiring example to all the members of the squadron.
August 4, 1944 Fifteen aircraft were detailed to attack Bois de Cassont a repair and supply dump N.E. of Paris. Heavy flak was encountered over the target. Aircraft “D” captained by S/L Pettit DFC was well plastered by falling shrapnel.
August 5, 44 Twenty aircraft were detailed to attack St. Lou D’Esserant. The target was a buzz bomb site. The trip completed S/L M.W. Pettit DFC second tour and his grin is visible for miles.
This officer has to his credit twenty-one trips on his second tour of operations. His tested coolness and skilful leadership in face of enemy fire is an inspiration to those who serve with him and a definite asset to the Allied cause.
Crew of 218 Squadron Stirling R9189 L to R: Mo Pettit (Pilot), (R92293) Edward Horton 'Ted' Thomas DFM (Bomb Aimer), (574934) Alfred Charles 'Alf' Elphick (Flight Engineer), Shortie H.G. 'Curly' Whitby (FE), G. 'Jeff' Oulton (NAV), (575746) Philip Alan 'Slim' Somerville DFM (Mid-Upper Gunner), Ernest T. 'Ernie' Morehen (WAG). Ted Thomas was killed in action 14 January 1944 serving with 514 Squadron.
Alf Elphick recalled the crew's last operation. The last light of the day March 1943 was passing and the roar of engines of 218 Sqdn could be heard in the crew room as the crews hitched each other up with their flyiing kit. Parachutes and Mae wests were strewn over the floor as we waited transport. At last it arrived and the crews, with their navigation bags, parachutes and other equipment packed aboard headed for dispersal. We arrived at our Stirling 'K' King had a good look round, lit a cigarette and waited for takeoff time. Meanwhile Curly and Slim loaded their guns. 'Take Off' time arrived and we climbed aboard, engines were started and we joined the queue for the runway where with a roar of engines and a swish of air from the brakes. We roared off into the night, heading for Stuttgart."Enemy coast ahead," shouted Ted, the bomb aimer eventually and Mo, the pilot, told Curly and Slim to keep a good look out for fighters. Soon flak began to come up on the starboard quarter and another Stirling could be seen weaving to avoid it. "Ten minutes to target," said Jeff, the navigator,and sure enough there were two cones of searchlights in front of us and flak all over the sky."Give me the course for home for when we have bombed," shouted Mo. A course was given and everyone was up to scratch as we approached the target. Fires were burning from the incendiaries dropped by other crews, crimson blotches where bombs had found their mark, the whole town seemed to have had hell loose upon it. In we went "Bomb doors open," shouted Ted, "Left,left,steady...bombs gone" and at that moment the aircraft shot up into the sky. I knew we had been hit, flak had hit the bomb doors which were now hanging loose. The aircraft began to weave violently and I knew Mo was going home. Away from the target it looked like Guy Fawkes nighy,fires leaping up,flames seeming to spread from one to another, while searchlights weaved to and fro trying to find a raider. Sure enough there was a Stirling, weaving, trying to get out of the searchlights, flak coming up at him and bursting all around. Suddenly there was a blinding flash and pieces began to fall from him as he caught fire. I knew he was finished and the searchlights followed him down. I checked the fuel for the long journey home. Slim shouted "Boy look at those bloody fires." Mo said, "Dont look at them, watch out for fighters". Iknew we were not going to have an easy journey home.
Thirty minutes from the French coast and another blinding flash came up the fuselage. The aircraft shuddered and started to fall out of the sky. Slim shouted "For Gods sake get me out of this turret." Curly shouted "Fighter" and there was a rattle of machine gun fire. Mo had the aircraft under control by now and the fighter was gone. Ernie the W/Op helped Slim up to the bed while I investigated the damage. Jagged holes in the fuselage let in whistling air and petrol flooded the floor. There was a smell of burning rubber from an electrical lead which I made safe from shorting. I reported to Mo that the port No. 7 tank was holed which fortunately, had been previously emptied. No engine had been hit thank goodness. Slim's legs and right hand had been badly hit by cannon shell. A tourniquet was put on his wrist,and his hand and legs bandaged as best as we could. It was difficult because of his flying boots and clothing. We gave him a shot of Morphine. At last the French coast came up, Flakburst around us again. Mo put the aircraft into a terrific dive and soon we were out to sea at about 5000 ft. We had enough fuel for about another hours flying. At last there in front of us were three searchlights over our airfield. A squeak from the radio and Mo was saying "Hello Caesar,Hello Caesar this is 'K' King calling, emergency landing, have ambulance standing by". After a few attempts there came a feeble voice which said "OK, come in and land".T he flare path,sparkling with red and white lights got bigger and bigger until with a bounce and a screach of tyres we were speeding down the runway to a stop where upon we taxied to the perimeter track and the waiting MO and ambulance.
The glow of the searchlights on our aircraft looked ghostly as I patted her fuselage and walked away to the lorry puffing my cigarette. Inside the briefing room a cup of tea was pressed into my hand by a WAAF who asked "Good Trip?" I smiled and said, "Yes not bad". After debriefing we went to the mess. We couldnt face our eggs and bacon and went straight to bed as we were dirty. But sleep could not be had with the memories of fires, cannon shells, burning aircraft and all the other ghastly things we had experienced that night.
After that operation I was posted to a training unit instructing new flight engineers on Stirlings. I was then posted back on a second tour on Lancaster Bombers to 149 Squadron Methwold with a new crew. July 1944 I completed my second tour and flew 50 operations altogether not counting turnarounds through unserviceabilty.
I was lucky to survive not like many of my comrades who never made it. (WWII People's War)
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