Hughie Edwards Victoria Cross
A highly decorated Australian airman of World War II.
This article covers the career of Hughie Edwards in war and peace. One of Bomber Command's legendary figures. Read of his remarkable operational missions.
A career in aviation
Hughie Idwal Edwards was born in Western Australia in 1914, the son of Welsh immigrants. His determination to pursue an aviation career was realized in 1936 with his acceptance as a cadet in the Royal Australian Air Force, and to further his career; in 1937 he transferred to the Royal Air Force. In the course of a training flight he was forced to make an emergency bailout, and was unfortunate to strike the aircraft’s tail plane and severely damage nerves in his leg. His injury was further aggravated in the ensuing parachute landing.So severe was the problem that his flying career appeared to be finished, but with determination and persistence he was passed by medical boards and finally achieved a full flying category. In 1940 Edwards suffered a further setback during a night- flying exercise. A Luftwaffe raid in his sector forced the closure of local airfields and total radio silence. He elected to remain with the aircraft and face the daunting prospect of a forced landing in a blacked-out countryside. In a subsequent collision with a tree Edwards suffered severe concussion, which was a factor that prevented him from becoming operational until early 1941.
Operational
His posting to 105 Squadron at Swanton Morley in Norfolk coincided with a period of maximum effort from Bomber Command. These were daylight raids on shipping and heavily defended objectives in Occupied Europe. At that stage stageof the war No.2 Group’s Blenheims were near obsolete and sustaining heavy operational casualties.Nevertheless,operations continued unabated.Edwards was awarded the DFC during that period for a successful convoy attack in which he damaged a merchant vessel. He also attained the rank of acting wing commander; due to continuing heavy losses and his own fortuitous survival.
Bremen mission
In June 1941 Operation ‘Barbarossa’;was launched ; the invasion of Soviet Russia, and to draw the Luftwaffe from the Eastern Front the British War Council began a policy of heavier attacks on enemy held territory. On 4 July No.2 Group carried out a raid on the Fort of Bremen in northern Germany. This followed a night attack from Bomber Command on the previous evening.Edwards was chosen to lead the daylight mission, which he planned personally; using a force of Blenheims from 105 and 107 squadrons. He led the formation at wave level over the North Sea and as they neared the target he made a detour to the northeast. His plan was to approach Bremen from an easterly direction in the hope that they might achieve an element of surprise.However Bremen’s defences were fully alerted as the Blenheims swept in; lined out in single file. Each pilot selected an individual target to then run the gauntlet of barrage balloons and anti-aircraft fire. Flak accounted for two aircraft over the target, while another turned inland and failed to link up with the formation. Despite their loss, considerable damage was inflicted on the dock area and warehouses. Edwards then skillfully marshaled his forces and led them home with no further loss. Following the Bremen raid Edwards was awarded the Victoria Cross; the first to an Australian airman in World War II.
The official citation concluded thus:
Throughout the execution of this operation, which he had planned personally with full knowledge of the risks entailed, Wing Commander Edwards displayed the highest possible standard of gallantry and determination.In a gesture of appreciation he framed the citation and presented it to the squadron, maintaining that the award was a team effort, not an individual one.
Against the odds
Shortly afterwards the squadron was posted to beleaguered Malta, where it operated on shipping strikes. Once again Edwards survived his tour despite the inevitable heavy losses. Back in the U.K. he returned to operations, leading 105 Squadron again, which on its return from Malta had converted to the superb De Havilland Mosquito; the first RAF squadron to do so.In December 1942 Edwards led a combined force of Mosquitoes, Bostons and Venturas on ‘Operation Oyster’. This was a daring daylight raid on the Philips electrical works at Eindhoven in Holland. RAF losses were heavy; with 14 aircraft brought down by flak and fighters. Substantial damage was inflicted on the factory; but with few casualties suffered by Dutch workers. Following that operation he was awarded the DSO for his leadership. There was also his tenure as C.O. of 460 Squadron, (RAAF) the celebrated Lancaster unit of No.1 Group. Despite his administrative duties Edwards carried out 15 operations himself.
Post war career
In December 1944 he was promoted to group captain and posted to South East Asia Command where he occupied several senior posts. He remained in the Command until 1947 and then returned to the U.K. to attend the RAF Staff College. Edwards returned to flying duties in 1950; and between 1953 and 1956 he commanded a jet fighter base.Following that tenure he was posted to Iraq for a three-year term as station commander of the RAF base at Habbaniyah. Further promotions and honours were accorded him; notably to air commodore and commandant of the Flying School at RAF Brize Norton. Prior to his retirement from the RAF in 1963 he served as ADC to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Home again
Edwards returned to Western Australia and began a successful business career. In 1974 he was knighted and appointed governor of Western Australia. It was a position he was forced to resign the following year due to ill health. In 1982 Edwards was about to attend a Test match at Sydney Cricket Ground with former squadron companion and Test cricketer Keith Miller when he unexpectedly collapsed and died.
The remarkable airman was 68 years old. He is deservedly remembered as one of the greats of Bomber Command, alongside such luminaries as Guy Gibson, Leonard Cheshire, Donald Bennett and a host of others.
