Short Sterling Mk. I

Introduced in August 1940, The Sterling was the first of the four engine heavy bombers to go into service in WW2 and was the only one designed from the beginning to take four engines. It was the first bomber capable of carrying out large scale strategic bombing, carrying far larger bomb loads than any preceding aircraft, and though its achievements were overshadowed by the later Lancaster and Halifax, it played a major role in Britain's air offensive throughout the war.
During its later service, the Stirling was used for mining German ports; new and converted aircraft also flew as glider tugs and supply aircraft during the Allied invasion of Europe with some being retrofitted as troop carriers with RAF Transport Command in 1944.

Short Sterling Mk. I (BF374 OJ*H)
No. 149 (RAAF) Squadron, RAF Bomber Command
29th November 1942.

FS Rawdon Middleton (RAAF)
26 yrs. old (B: 22 07 1916 KIA: 29 11 1942)

On his twenty-ninth combat sortie, one short of the thirty required for completion of a 'tour' and rotation off combat operations, FS Middleton was first pilot detailed to bomb the Fiat aircraft works at Turin. He had to make three low-level passes to identify the target; on the third, the aircraft was hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire which wounded both pilots and the wireless operator. Middleton was very seriously injured but was determined to get his crew home, promising "I'll make the English Coast. I'll get you home". Four hours later, almost blind, near death and having lost consciousness once with the 2nd pilot, also injured, having to recover the plane, he got his crew to the English coast and ordered his crew to bail out. Middleton stayed with the aircraft, which crashed into the Channel.

The Citation Reads:
“Flight Sergeant Middleton was captain and first pilot of a Stirling aircraft detailed to attack the Fiat Works at Turin one night in November 1942. Great difficulty was experienced in climbing to 12,000 feet to cross the Alps, which led to excessive consumption of fuel. So dark was the night that the mountain peaks were almost invisible. During the crossing Flight Sergeant Middleton had to decide whether to proceed or turn back, there being barely sufficient fuel for the return journey. Flares were sighted ahead, and he continued the mission and even dived to 2,000 feet to identify the target, despite the difficulty of regaining height.

Three flights were made over Turin at this low altitude before the target was identified. The aircraft was then subjected to fire from light anti-aircraft guns. A large hole appeared in the port main plane which made it difficult to maintain lateral control. A shell then burst in the cockpit, shattering the windscreen and wounding both pilots. A piece of shell splinter tore into the side of Flight Sergeant Middleton’s face, destroying his right eye and exposing the bone over the eye. He was probably wounded also in the body or legs. The second pilot received wounds in the head and both legs which bled profusely. The wireless operator was also wounded in the leg. Flight Sergeant Middleton became unconscious, and the aircraft dived to 800 feet before control was regained by the second pilot, who took the aircraft up to 1500 feet and released the bombs. There was still light flak, some very intense, and the aircraft was hit many times.

The three gunners replied continuously until the rear turret was put out of action. Flight Sergeant Middleton had now recovered consciousness and, when clear of the target, ordered the second pilot back to receive first aid. Before this was completed the latter insisted on returning to the cockpit, as the captain could see very little and could only speak with loss of blood and great pain. Course was set for base and the crew now faced an Alpine crossing and a homeward flight in a damaged aircraft with insufficient fuel. The possibilities of abandoning the aircraft or landing in Northern France were discussed but Flight Sergeant Middleton expressed the intention of trying to make the English coast, so that his crew could leave the aircraft by parachute.

Owing to his wounds and diminishing strength, he knew that, by then, he would have little or no chance of saving himself. After four hours, the French coast was reached and here the aircraft, flying at 6,000 feet, was once more engaged and hit by intense light anti-aircraft fire. Flight Sergeant Middleton was still at the controls and mustered sufficient strength to take evasive action. After crossing the Channel there was only sufficient fuel for 5 minutes flying. Flight Sergeant Middleton ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft while he flew parallel with the coast for a few miles, after which he intended to head out to sea. Five of the crew left the aircraft safely, while two remained to assist Flight Sergeant Middleton. The aircraft crashed in the sea and the bodies of the front gunner and flight engineer were recovered the following day. Their gallant captain was apparently unable to leave the aircraft and his body has not been traced. Flight Sergeant Middleton was determined to attack the target regardless of the consequences and not to allow his crew to fall into enemy hands. While all the crew displayed heroism of a high order, the urge to do so came from Flight Sergeant Middleton, whose fortitude and strength of will made possible the completion of the mission. His devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds is unsurpassed in the annals of the Royal Air Force.”