RAWLINSON, Alan Charles

Stats:

rank: G/C
status: survived
airforce: RAAF    (no: 386 )
born: 1918-07-31 Fremantle Australia

added by: Adrian Dwyer

From: 'Desert Airforce Dogfighters' (3 Sqdn). Alan Rawlinson was born in Fremantle, W.A. on 31 July 1918. He obtained a private pilots licence in 1937 flying DH60 Gypsy Moths. Enlisting in the RAAF in 1938 he graduated as a Pilot Officer in 1939 obtaining a posting to 3 Squadron at Richmond, N.S.W. At the time he was flying Hawker Demons.

At the outbreak of World War II he was sent to the Western Desert with 3 Squadron. From September 1940 to April 1941 he saw combat flying Gauntlets, Gladiators, Hurricanes, Tomahawks and Kittyhawks. From May 1941 to August 1941 he was stationed at Cyprus and returned to the Western Desert in August 1941, later serving as CO of 3 Squadron.

He was awarded the DFC and Bar during his service in the desert. He returned to Australia in 1942 as Chief Flying Instructor at Mildura. In 1943 he was promoted to Squadron Commander and Wing Leader and saw further service in the Pacific region. He again returned to Australia in 1944 and was Commanding Officer of paratroop training.

In 1947 Alan transferred to the RAF as a Squadron Commander and Wing Leader, flying jet aircraft such as Vampires and Meteors. Alan remained in the RAF until he retired in 1961. During the period from 1963-1969 he was involved in missile testing at Woomera.

Alan retired to Crafers in the Adelaide Hills. During his flying career he flew some 53 different types of aircraft, from bi-planes to supersonic jets.


Citation:
"Since in being command of his flight, F/Lt. Rawlinson has always led it with determination and daring, pressing home attacks at close range. He has always shown them outstanding devotion to duty and has destroyed six enemy aircraft confirmed in the air, in addition to causing considerable amount of damage to aircraft on the ground and M.T. concentrations. He has now carried out 121 operational sorties making in total of 205 hours.

Citation:
"This officer continues to show the same admirable qualities which earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross in October, 1941.
He has fostered great keenness and a fine fighting spirit amongst pilots of his squadron which, under his leadership, have taken every opportunity to destroy the enemy. The squadron has destroyed over 100 hostile aircraft since the war in Libya began. One day in November, 1941, Squadron Leader Rawlinson led an attack on a number of
Messerschmitt 109's and fought them until after dusk. In the course of the engagement, Squadron Leader Rawlinson himself destroyed 1and damaged 2 others of the enemy's aircraft. He has destroyed at least 7 hostile aircraft."