User:Reguyla\Peter G. Dexter

Peter Grenfell Dexter (5 June 1918 in Durban - Killed in action 14 July 1941 in Boulogne) was a South African Flying Officer / Lieutenant in the South African Air Force during World War II. Born in Durban in South Africa in 1918, Peter Dexter joins the RAF in December 1938. After completing his training, he was assigned to Squadron 16, a Co-operation unit of the Army in January 1940. April he made ​​pouvement to France and 21 May, when he makes a tactical reconnaissance mission in the Arras-Cambrai-Amiens sector, the Westland Lysander attacked by Me 109. In the battle that follows, Dexter manages to shoot one of his attackers while his gunner, AC2 Webb in a second shade. Although his own plane is damaged, Dexter manages to return to its base. For his heroic conduct during this unequal battle, Dexter will receive a DFC immediately. In August 1940, he was transferred to Fighter Command and passes through the OTU 7 in Hawarden before joining the Squadron 54 in early September. On 16 September, again transfer to Squadron 603 this time. With this unit, he won his first victories on Spitfire. On October 2, 1940, in full Battle of Angeleterre, while coming off a victory, he is himself touched and wounded in the leg and managed to parachute jump just in time before his unit was crushed. Back in operations in April 1941, he was transferred to Squadron 611 at the end of June. On July 14, 1941, while he is on a mission over Boulogne, his Spitfire collided with an aircraft of 54 Squadron during a mission escrote above Hazebrouck. It will be found later, dead in the remains of his parachute.

Awards

 * Distinguished Flying Cross on 23 July 1940 as Pilot Officer