Hugh Gordon Malcolm

Wing Commander Hugh Gordon Malcolm VC (2 May 1917- 4 December 1942) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 25 years old, and a wing commander in 18 Squadron, Royal Air Force during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

From November to December 1942 in North Africa, Wing Commander Malcolm commanded a squadron of light bombers. Throughout his service in that sector his skill and daring were of the highest order. He led two attacks on Bizerta airfield, pressing his attacks to effective conclusion and on 4 December he led an attack on an enemy fighter airfield near Chougui, Tunisia. On reaching the target, however, and starting the attack, the squadron was intercepted by an overwhelming force of enemy fighters from 11 Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 2. One by one his bombers were shot down, until he himself was shot down in flames.

References

*British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*SCOTLAND'S FORgotten VALOUR (Graham Ross, 1995)

External links

* [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/theartofwar/valgal/valour/INF3_0467.htm Acting Wing Commander H.G. Malcolm] in "The Art of War" exhibition at the UK National Archives