User:Reguyla\Gordon R. Connell

Gordon Raymond Connell (16 October 1917 in Port Elizabeth - 3 July 1968) was a South African Captain in the South African Air Force during World War II. Ray Connell hails from Port Elizabeth in the rpovince Cape in South Africa. After completing his studies at the College Grey, he joined the SAAF and after his training is assigned to Squadron 1 / SAAF, North Africa from September 1941 to September 1942. On 13 December 1941, together with the Major MS Osler, he cut training 63 enemy aircraft identified as Ju 87 and their fighter escorts. Connell attacks a Stuka while it tries to dive. He thinks he killed the gunner himself when reached by the firing of one of the fighter escorts. Because sudden damage, it must make a forced landing. After that fight, he claimed the destruction of two Me 109, a Mk 202 and a Ju 87 damaged. Two devices have been seen burning on the ground, two of the devices claimed as damaged are counted as confirmed. July 3, 1942, during an air battle, his plane was again hit by defensive fire from a gunner Ju 87 and he has to ask catastrophe in Burg-el-Arab. Once completed turn of operations, he returned to South Africa before taking his place in the unit in February 1943. In October, he was promoted to Flight Commander Squadron 7 / SAAF until July 21, 1944, which it is shot. He manages to escape capture and return to his unit in September. He received the DFC whose announcement appeared November 14, 1944.

Awards

 * Distinguished Flying Cross on 14 November 1944