User:Reguyla\Bill Bower (pilot)

Alan William "Bill" Bower (12 July 1920 in Pretoria - 5 November 2001 in Pretoria) was a South African Commandant / Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Alan "Bill" Bower was born July 12, 1920 in Pretoria, South Africa. He made ​​his primary education at Pretoria before starting university. With the outbreak of the Second World War, he decided to join the RAF and joined Southern Rhodesia. He began his training at 28 EFTS 19 April 1941 and then to 20 SFTS in July. Qualified pilot, he was assigned to Great Britain, where after passing the OTU 56 December 1941 to March 1942 he was assigned to Squadron 134 as Sergeant. A month later, he was transferred to Squadron 131, where he became F / S. Promoted Officer 19 August 1942 and F / A 19 February 1943. Intended as to occupy a position as Flight Commander overseas, the project is abandoned and he takes his place in a few days. At the end of June 1943, he was transferred to Squadron 234, where he remained until November and ends his turn operation. Posted at rest, it becomes instructor at the OTU 53 before being sent, a week later, the CGS Sutton Bridge then Catfoss. At the end of May 1944, he joined the Squadron 33 to begin a second round of operations and performs conversion on Tempest within this unit. Promoted to Flight Lieutenant August 19, 1944, he became Commander in the Flight Squadron 222 in early 1945 before taking command of 33 Squadron in March. He remains at the head of the Squadron until July 1946, receiving the DFC April 10, 1945. Demobilized, he returned to South Africa, but back in Britain in March 1947 to sign his ongoing commitment in the RAF. After a short period staff, he follows an instructor training from July 1947 to March 1948 before being assigned to the College Cranwell as weapons instructor. In February 1951, he was assigned to Leuchars in Scotland until June 1952. Sent to Germany, he will command the Squadron 94 in Celle until July 1955. Promoted to Wing Commander on July 1, 1958, he was sent to Aden. Back in Britain, he took command of the base ballistic missile launch in Lincolnshire and received the OBE in 1963. Back in Germany, he left in 1967 and returned to Pretoria. He then worked for the company ATLAS Aircraft Copr Johannesburg in civilian pilot. He died in Pretoria November 5, 2001.

Awards

 * Distinguished Flying Cross on 10 April 1945
 * Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1967
 * War Medal 1939-1945
 * 1939-1945 Star