Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV

The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber aircraft built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company which was used extensively in the first two years and in some cases throughout the Second World War. The aircraft was developed as Type 142, a civil airliner, in response to a challenge from Lord Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail newspaper, to produce the fastest commercial aircraft in Europe. The Blenheim was one of the first British aircraft with an all-metal stressed-skin construction, retractable landing gear, flaps, a powered gun turret and variable-pitch propellers. Used by both Bomber and Fighter Commands some 200 Mk I bombers were modified into Mk IF long-range fighters

Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV (V6028 GB*D)
No. 105 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command
4th July 1941.

Act. Wg. Cmdr. Hughie I Edwards DFC, (RAF)
Officer Commanding No. 105 Squadron,
26 yrs. old. (B: 01 08 1914. D: 05 05 1982)

On 4 July 1941, Edwards led a daylight attack ("Operation Wreckage") against the port of Bremen, one of the most heavily defended towns in Germany. Edwards' force of twelve Blenheims attacked at a height of about fifty feet through telephone wires and high voltage power lines. The bombers successfully penetrated fierce anti-aircraft fire and a dense balloon barrage, but further fire over the port itself resulted in the loss of four of the attacking force. Edwards brought his remaining aircraft safely back, although all had been hit and his own Blenheim (serial V6028) had been hit over twenty times. His actions in the raid earned him the Victoria Cross.

The Citation Reads:
"Wing Commander Edwards, although handicapped by a physical disability resulting from a flying accident, has repeatedly displayed gallantry of the highest order in pressing home bombing attacks from very low heights against strongly defended objectives.

On 4th July 1941, he led an important attack on the Port of Bremen, one of the most heavily defended towns in Germany. This attack had to be made in daylight and there were no clouds to afford concealment. During the approach to the German coast several enemy ships were sighted, and Wing Commander Edwards knew that his aircraft would be reported and that the defences would be in a state of readiness. Undaunted by this misfortune he brought his formation fifty miles overland to the target, flying at a height of little more than fifty feet, passing under high-tension cables, carrying away telegraph wires and finally passing through a formidable balloon barrage. On reaching Bremen he was met with a hail of fire; all his aircraft being hit and four of them being destroyed. Nevertheless, he made a most successful attack, and then with the greatest skill and coolness withdrew the surviving aircraft without further loss.

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."

The London Gazette of 22 July 1941, Numb. 35225, pp. 4213-14

Edwards brought his remaining aircraft safely back, although all had been hit and his own Blenheim (serial V6028) had been hit over twenty times.