Edward Sismore

Infobox Military Person
name= Edward Barnes Sismore
lived= 23 June 1921 -
placeofbirth=Kettering, Northamptonshire, England
placeofdeath=


caption=
nickname=Ted
allegiance=flag|United Kingdom
serviceyears=c. 1939 – 1976
rank= Air Commodore
branch= air force|United Kingdom
commands=OC RAF Bruggen
OC Central Recon Establishment
Commandant Royal Observer Corps 1971 - 1973
unit=
battles= World War II
awards= Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Flying Cross and two bars
Air Force Cross
Order of the Dannebrog
laterwork=

Air Commodore Edward Barnes Sismore DSO DFC and two bars AFC (born 23 June 1921) was a British air navigator during World War II and a senior Royal Air Force officer in the post-war years and the thirteenth Commandant Royal Observer Corps between 1971 and 1973. [http://www.rafweb.org/Grp09.htm] During his time as Commandant ROC, Sismore travelling overseas to France, Germany and Scandinavian countries, visiting similar defence warning organisations. A close relationship was established with the "Luftmeldekorpsett" Danish Air Reporting Corps, a unit of the country's Home Guard. [http://www.truroroca.co.uk/P5%20TheBanner.htm]

ervice history

World War II

Sismore started his service as an airman. However, on 29 August 1942 Flight Sergeant Sismore was given an emergency commission as a General Duties Branch Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. [LondonGazette |issue=35741 |date=13 October 1942 |startpage=4439 |supp=x |accessdate=2008-10-07] Towards the end of the war, on 1 February 1945, he was awarded a permanent commission as a Flying Officer. [LondonGazette |issue=37518 |date=2 April 1946 |startpage=1626 |supp=x |accessdate=2008-10-07]

In February 1944 Sismore took part in Operation Jericho, a low-level bombing raid on Amiens Prison in German-occupied France. The object of the raid was to free French Resistance and political prisoners who were facing immenent execution. [http://www.sporting-memories.com/aai/gc002.htm]

Notably in March 1945, whilst serving on No. 487 Squadron, Sismore, by then an acting Squadron Leader took part in Operation Carthage, a daring precision raid on the Gestapo headquarters in Copenhagen Denmark. Sismore was the lead navigator in the Mosquito Mk.VI flown by the raid leader (Group Captain R N Bateson). [http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/shell.html] The raid, while not being completely successful with a large number of civilian casualties, succeeded in destroying the Gestapo HQ allowing many prisoners to escape. Sismore was awarded a bar to his DFC and was also honoured with the Order of Danneborg, Degree of Knight.

Post-war

Sismore remained in the RAF after the War, occupying several senior officer posts. In 1947 Squadron Leader Sismore and former Dambuster pilot, Squadron Leader 'Mick' Martin, broke the London to Cape Town flying record, covering the 6,717 miles in only 21 hours and 31 minutes. [http://www.rafweb.org/Timeline3.htm] [http://www.breakingthedams.com/otherdambustersm.html] They were subsequently awarded the Royal Aero Club's Britannia Trophy for 1947. [http://www.royalaeroclub.org/awardBrit.htm] Sismore was promoted to Group Captain in 1962 [LondonGazette |issue=42721 |date=29 June 1962 |startpage=5299 |supp=x |accessdate=2008-10-09] and during the early/mid 1960s, he served as the Station Commander of RAF Bruggen in Germany. [http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Station%20OCs-Germany.htm] In the late 1960s he was the Commanding Officer of the RAF's Central Reconnaissance Establishment at RAF Brampton. [cite book |last=Isserlin |first=B. S. J. |authorlink= |coauthors=du Plat Taylor, Joan |title=Motya: A Phoenician and Carthaginian City in Sicily |origyear=1974 |publisher=Brill Archive |location= |language= |isbn=9004038396 |pages=p. ix ]

Royal Observer Corps

On 4 January 1971 on promotion to Air Commodore, Sismore was appointed as Commandant of the Royal Observer Corps taking over from Air Commodore D F Rixson. Sismore looked for ways in which the ROC could be improved and embarked on several overseas visits to other NATO countries to examine alternative nuclear civil defence systems. His first visit was to the nearby French civil defence headquarters in Rennes and this was followed by futher continental visits to Germany and Scandinavia.

Sismore's previous knowledge of Denmark led him to making close connections with the Luftmeldekorpsett Danish Air Reporting Corps, part of the country's Home Guard, that would continue until 1992 when the ROC stood down. The Luftmeldekorpset (LMK) performed a similar nuclear reporting and public warning role to the ROC's while still retaining the above ground aircraft spotting role already discontinued by the ROC in the UK. For twenty years from 1972 to 1992 annual exchange visits were established, alternating annually between the two countries. The LMK frequently sent parties of up to 50 observers to spend a week at the annual ROC summer camps. A hard fought and eagerly contested annual aircraft recognition competition took place each summer with the honours remaining roughly equal throughout its history.

On 24 May 1973 Sismore handed command of the ROC to Air Commodore R K Orrock. He retired from the Royal Air Force on 23 June 1976. [LondonGazette |issue=46958 |date=12 July 1976 |startpage=9593 |supp=x |accessdate=2008-10-07]

Honours and awards

* 16 February 1943 - Pilot Officer Edward Barnes Sismore (130208) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve of No. 105 Squadron RAF was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy -

"On the 30th January, 1943, two forces of bombers were detailed to attack Berlin, one during the morning and the other during the afternoon. To reach the German capital necessitated a flight of more than 500 miles, mostly over heavily defended territory. Close co-ordination and precise timing were essential but, such was the skill exhibited that the target was reached and the attacks delivered within seconds of the specified time. That complete success was achieved, despite opposition from the ground defences, is a high tribute to the calm courage, resolution and endurance displayed the following officers and airmen who, in various capacities, acted as member of aircraft crews." [LondonGazette |issue=35904 |date=12 February 1943 |startpage=811 |supp=x |accessdate=2008-10-07]

* 18 June 1943 - Acting Flight Lieutenant Edward Barnes Sismore of No. 139 Squadron RAF awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy. [LondonGazette |issue=36059 |date=18 June 1943 |startpage=2769 |supp=x |accessdate=2008-10-07]

* 15 December 1944 - Acting Squadron Leader Edward Barnes Sismore DSO DFC along with his pilot Acting Wing Commander Reynolds was awarded a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

"As pilot and navigator respectively these officers have taken part in numerous sorties against a wide variety of targets. In October, 1944, they took part in a most successful attack on a vital German target. In this well executed operation, these officers displayed skill and resolution of the highest standard." [LondonGazette |issue=36839 |date=12 December 1944 |startpage=5737 |supp=x |accessdate=2008-10-07]

* 22 June 1945 - 2nd Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross

"Acting Squadron Leader Edward Barnes SISMORE, D.S.O., D.F.C., (130208), R.A.F.V.R. In March, 1945, Squadron Leader Sismore was the navigator in the leading aircraft of a large formation detailed to attack the Gestapo headquarters at Copenhagen. The operation, necessitating a flight of more than 1,000 miles demanded the highest standard of navigational ability. In this direction, Squadron Leader Sismore's work was outstanding and contributed materially to the success obtained. Again, in April, 1945, this officer flew with great distinction in an attack against a similar target at Odense. This officer, who completed much operational flying, has rendered very valuable service". [LondonGazette |issue=37142 |date= 22 June 1945|startpage=3271 |supp=x |accessdate=2008-10-07]

*18 March 1949 - Squadron Leader Sismore was awarded the Order of Danneborg, Degree of Knight by Frederick IX, the King of Denmark. [LondonGazette |issue=38565 |date=18 March 1949 |startpage=1386 |supp=|accessdate=2008-10-07]

*31 May 1956 - Squadron Leader Sismore was awarded the Air Force Cross. [LondonGazette |issue=40787 |date=31 May 1956 |startpage=3135 |supp=x |accessdate=2008-10-07]

References

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