Flying Officer D. E. Garland, Royal Air Force, and Sergeant T. Grey, Royal Air Force, Albert Canal, 12th May, 1940.

ATC Observer, Volume 1, Issue 7, 1 April 1943, Page 8

Flying Officer D. E. Garland, Royal Air Force, and Sergeant T. Grey, Royal Air Force, Albert Canal, 12th May, 1940.

Flying Officer Garland was the pilot and Sergeant T. Grey was the observer of the leading aircraft of a formation of five ordered to destroy a bridge over the Albert Canal at all costs. This Bridge, near Fort EbenEmael, was the only one left to the Germans. Over -it, they were pouring troops and supplies. It was strongly defended by machine- anti-air-craft fire and fighters; The ; whole squadron volunteered for the operation, five crews being selected by drawing lots. The attack was made from the lowest possible level, driving through very heavy anti-aircraft fire. British ' fighters reported that the target was obscured by bomb-bursts. Only one of the five aircraft returned from the attack. The success of. the operation was due to the coolness and resource of Flying Officer Garland and Sergeant .Grey in the leading aircraft. They did not return. Flying Officer Garland was born in 1918, at Ballin-, acor, Wicklow, Eire, and Sergeant Grey in 1914 at Devizes, Wiltshire. •