RIGLER, Thomas Charles
Stats:
rank: S/Lstatus: survived
airforce: RAF (no: 114032 )
born: 1909-07-13 Poole United Kingdom
added by: Adrian Dwyer
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Bio / Text:
Adapted from a piece by 'Snapper' Key Aero
904492 / 114032 Pilot Officer Thomas Charles ‘Tommy / Hairwave’ Rigler DFC DFM
Born on 13th July 1909 in Poole, Dorset, Rigler joined the RAF in 1940 and was posted to 609 Squadron as a Sergeant Pilot in February 1941 at Warmwell under S/Ldr Michael Robinson. On his first sortie on 8th May 1941 he Destroyed two Bf.109's, and Destroyed another and shared in Damaging one on 4th June.
On the 22nd he Destroyed a Bf.109F and two Bf.109Es, for which he received the DFM. On 24th June he claimed a Probable and a Damaged and Destroyed another Bf.109 on 24th July. On 7th August he claimed a Damaged but was (subsequently wounded whilst attacking a Flak ship, his aircraft being badly damaged, although it seems he managed to fly back to England and, after some weeks in hospital, returned to the squadron.
He was Commissioned as a Pilot Officer on 1st December 1941and on 15th December was attacking shipping off the Dutch coast, in Spitfire AB859 when he was hit by flak and wounded in shoulder, right arm and leg. (It was reported that he landed at RAF Martlesham heath and was found unconscious in the cockpit, being lifted out and taken to hospital). Returning to 609 later he claimed the last Spitfire victory for 609 before re-equipping with Typhoons on 25th April 1942, when he destroyed his eighth Bf.109. On 6th May 1942 he was posted to 610 Squadron at Ludham flying Spifire MkVb’s before being his tour ended and he was rested from operations.
On 1st December 1943 he was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader and in July 1944 he joined 504 Squadron as a Flight Commander, being posted to 229 Squadron at Matlaske on Spitfire MkIX’s in October. This unit was renamed 603 Squadron shortly afterwards and in January 1945 he became the Commanding Officer, leading 603 on dive bombing missions over Holland and Northern Germany until in April 1945, when he was posted to Catfoss as an instructor, being awarded the DFC on 1st May 1945 with the following citation:
‘This officer has completed a very large number of sorties and throughout has displayed keenness and devotion to duty worthy of the highest praise. He has led the squadron on very many low level and harassing attacks on a variety of enemy targets and much success has been achieved. By his great skill and fine fighting qualities, Squadron Leader Rigler has contributed materially to the high standard of operational efficiency of the squadron he commands.’
He was posted to the Administration and Special Duties Branch on 26th March 1946 having dropped a rank to Flight lieutenant.
904492 / 114032 Pilot Officer Thomas Charles ‘Tommy / Hairwave’ Rigler DFC DFM
Born on 13th July 1909 in Poole, Dorset, Rigler joined the RAF in 1940 and was posted to 609 Squadron as a Sergeant Pilot in February 1941 at Warmwell under S/Ldr Michael Robinson. On his first sortie on 8th May 1941 he Destroyed two Bf.109's, and Destroyed another and shared in Damaging one on 4th June.
On the 22nd he Destroyed a Bf.109F and two Bf.109Es, for which he received the DFM. On 24th June he claimed a Probable and a Damaged and Destroyed another Bf.109 on 24th July. On 7th August he claimed a Damaged but was (subsequently wounded whilst attacking a Flak ship, his aircraft being badly damaged, although it seems he managed to fly back to England and, after some weeks in hospital, returned to the squadron.
He was Commissioned as a Pilot Officer on 1st December 1941and on 15th December was attacking shipping off the Dutch coast, in Spitfire AB859 when he was hit by flak and wounded in shoulder, right arm and leg. (It was reported that he landed at RAF Martlesham heath and was found unconscious in the cockpit, being lifted out and taken to hospital). Returning to 609 later he claimed the last Spitfire victory for 609 before re-equipping with Typhoons on 25th April 1942, when he destroyed his eighth Bf.109. On 6th May 1942 he was posted to 610 Squadron at Ludham flying Spifire MkVb’s before being his tour ended and he was rested from operations.
On 1st December 1943 he was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader and in July 1944 he joined 504 Squadron as a Flight Commander, being posted to 229 Squadron at Matlaske on Spitfire MkIX’s in October. This unit was renamed 603 Squadron shortly afterwards and in January 1945 he became the Commanding Officer, leading 603 on dive bombing missions over Holland and Northern Germany until in April 1945, when he was posted to Catfoss as an instructor, being awarded the DFC on 1st May 1945 with the following citation:
‘This officer has completed a very large number of sorties and throughout has displayed keenness and devotion to duty worthy of the highest praise. He has led the squadron on very many low level and harassing attacks on a variety of enemy targets and much success has been achieved. By his great skill and fine fighting qualities, Squadron Leader Rigler has contributed materially to the high standard of operational efficiency of the squadron he commands.’
He was posted to the Administration and Special Duties Branch on 26th March 1946 having dropped a rank to Flight lieutenant.
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