Edward Crew

For the former Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, see Edward Crewe.
Edward Dixon Crew
Born (1917-12-24)24 December 1917
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
Died 18 August 2002(2002-08-18) (aged 84)
Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  Royal Air Force
Years of service 1939–1973
Rank Air Vice Marshal
Service number 74700
Commands held Central Reconnaissance Establishment (1968–69)
Air Forces Borneo (1965–66)
RAF Bruggen (1959–62)
No. 45 Squadron (1948–50)
No. 96 Squadron (1943–44)
Battles/wars

Second World War

Malayan Emergency
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Awards Companion of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Order & Bar
Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar
Mentioned in Despatches

Air Vice Marshal Edward Dixon Crew CB, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar (24 December 1917 – 18 August 2002) was a Royal Air Force officer and a nightfighter ace of the Second World War. He shot down 15 enemy aircraft and was one of the top-scoring aces against the V-1 flying bomb.[1]

Early life

Edward Dixon Crew was born 24 December 1917 and was educated at Felsted School and Downing College, Cambridge.[1] While at Downing College he joined the University Air Squadron and following his graduation he was commissioned in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.[1]

Second world war

In July 1940 Crew joined 604 Squadron operating twin-engined Blenheim IF night-fighters.[1] During the Battle of France the squadron was used for day and night operations against Germany troops and patrols over the Dunkirk beaches to protect the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force.[1] With the Battle of Britain at its height the squadron aircraft were fitted with airborne radar, although the system was immature and the Blenheim was not the best night fighter.[1] Later in 1940 the squadron was re-equipped with the Bristol Beaufighter and Crew downed his first Germany aircraft, a Heinkel He 111, on 4 April 1941. With two more aircraft shot down and two damaged he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in June 1941.[1] In June 1942 he had destroyed five aircraft to become an ace and in June 1942 he received a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross.[1][2]

Crew joined 85 Squadron as a flight commander, the squadron operated the radar-equipped twin-engined De Havilland Mosquito.[1] As the number of victories increased Crew was appointed commanding officer of 96 Squadron at first with Beaufighters but these were later exchanged for Mosquitos.[1] Between June and September 1944 the squadron had downed 181 V-1 flying bombs and Crew was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership.[1]

During the second world war Crew had downed 15 enemy aircraft and 31½ V-1s, he was the fourth highest scorer against the flying bomb and the most effective Mosquito pilot, the top three scorers all flew the single-engined Hawker Tempest.[1]

Post-war

From 1948 to 1950 Crew commanded No. 45 Squadron based in Malaya and operating anti-insurgency operations with the Bristol Beaufighter during the Malayan Emergency, he was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order for his leadership.[1][3]

Crew was seconded to the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1952 and commanded an Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck squadron, back in the United Kingdom he flight tested the Gloster Javelin delta-wing fighter at the Central Fighter Establishment.[1] From 1959 to 1962 he was station commander at RAF Bruggen part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force based in Germany.[1] From 1965 to 1966 he was commander of the Air Forces in Borneo at the time of the Indonesian confrontation with Malaya.[1]

Crew held a number of senior staff appointments at the Ministry of Defence until 1973 when he retired. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath that year.[1][4]

Later life

Crew worked in the Planning Inspectorate at the Department of the Environment for the next 14 years using his knowledge of airfields.[1] After serving local government as a member of the Cotswold District Council he finally retired in 1996.[1]

He had married Virginia in 1945 and when he died on 18 August 2002 he was survived by her and a son.[1]

Honours and awards

This officer is a pilot of outstanding ability who has shown tenacity of purpose to engage the enemy which culminated in the destruction of two enemy aircraft in one night. He has now destroyed four and damaged at least a further four enemy aircraft at night.
— London Gazette[5]
Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross in July 1941, this officer has carried out a large number of operational patrols by night and has destroyed 4 enemy aircraft. He has now destroyed a total of 8 enemy aircraft at night and damaged a number of others. By his readiness to fly in any weather and his skill and ability in dealing with the enemy at night, he sets a splendid example to the squadron
— London Gazette[2]
Wing Commander Crew continues to display the highest standard of skill, courage and leadership. In air fighting he has destroyed 13 enemy aircraft and damaged several more. With the advent of the flying bomb attacks on this country Wing Commander Crew displayed great skill and perseverance in devising tactics to meet the menace. As a result, he shot down numerous flying bombs, whilst other members of this squadron took a heavy toll of them. This officer has commanded his squadron with outstanding success.
— London Gazette[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Air Vice Marshal Edward Grew." Times [London, England] 22 August 2002: 30. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 12 October 2012.
  2. 1 2 The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 35597. p. 2649. 16 June 1942. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  3. 1 2 The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 38858. p. 1213. 10 March 1950. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  4. 1 2 The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 45860. p. 3. 1 January 1973. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 35232. p. 4376. 29 July 1941. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36718. p. 4441. 26 September 1944. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
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