MITCHELL, Sergeant George Eric (R74313) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.7 Squadron - Award effective 25 July 1941 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1292/41 dated 7 November 1941. American in the RCAF; born in Paris, 29 May 1901. His parents were Robert Mitchell (deceased, born in Yorkshire) and Eileen O’Moore (deceased, born in Melbourne, Australia), reported to have been married “on their yacht off the coast of Africa”. Educated in California, including three years at University of California. He claimed to have flown private aircraft in California (276 hours in all), although he subsequently failed pilot training. He had a lengthy employment record in mining and engineering; one must wonder what induced a man of this age and experience to enlist - and why he was accepted for aircrew. Home in Diamond Springs, California. Enlisted in Ottawa, 21 October 1940 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto. To No.1 SFTS, Camp Borden, date uncertain. Returned to No.1 Manning Depot, 24 December 1940. To No.1 BGS, Jarvis, Ontario, 18 February 1941. Graduated 15 March 1941 and promoted Sergeant. To Embarkation Depot, Halifax, 18 March 1941; embarked from Canada 5 April 1941; taken on strength in Britain, 20 April 1941. To No.20 OTU, 27 April 1941, To No.7 Squadron, 12 June 1941. Commissioned 14 October 1941. To No.75 Squadron, 23 March 1942. Killed in action, 6 April 1942 (Wellington X3489). RCAF photo PL-4495 (ex UK-30) shows him; caption reads in part, “On the way back from a successful bombing trip near Hamburg, where the Observer, Chris Martin, an Australian, made direct hits on an ammunition train and fuel dump, that according to later reports burned for five days, they were attacked by an Me.110. After Sergeant Mitchell’s aircraft had taken a burst of two cannon and four machine guns, Sergeant Mitchell concentrated his fire in the starboard motor of the enemy and set it on fire, dropping the wing on the starboard side, exposing the positions of the pilot and gunner. Sergeant Mitchell gave them a continuous 200 round burst. The enemy went into a stall and the crew saw him spin down into the sea with the starboard motor aflame.” // One night in June 1941, this airman was the rear gunner of an aircraft which was detailed to attack Hamburg. On the return journey an attack was made by a Messerschmitt 110. Despite an intense concentration of cannon and machine gun fire from the attacker, Sergeant Mitchell withheld his fire until the enemy came within close range. He then fired a burst of 600 rounds at the enemy aircraft which broke away with its port engine aglow. It was subsequently confirmed that this aircraft was destroyed. Sergeant Mitchell displayed great courage and determination and set an excellent example. // NOTE: First sortie was 26 June 1941 (Stirling N3663) raiding Kiel. On 29 June was raiding Bremerhaven when Bf.110 engaged 20 miles northwest of Texel; enemy aircraft probably destroyed. Other raids included 10 October 1941 (Cologne, aircraft hit by flak), 13 October 1941 (Dusseldorf, aircraft hit by flak again), 24 November 1941 (shipping south of Borkum when aircraft attacked by Bf.109s, one shot down in flames and another damaged), 18 December 1941 (cruisers in Brest in daylight, bombed in a dive, aircraft hit by flak and then engaged by enemy aircraft; Mitchell shot down one that was seen to crash). Medal presented at Buckingham Palace, 4 November 1941; the first BCATP graduate decorated. // The website “Lost Bombers” has the following item respecting an early incident in his career: Stirling N6041, No.7 Squadron, target Magdeburg, 14-15 August 1941. This was one of three No.7 Squadron Stirlings lost on this night on two separate operations; the others were N6042 and W7434. Airborne at 2056 hours on 14 August 1941 from Oakington. Over-ran the runway on return due to throttle malfunction and crashed at 0446 hours. Assessed as Damaged beyond Repair and SOC 20 August 1941. // The same website has the following on his last sortie. Wellington X3489 of No.75 Squadron, target Cologne, 5/6 April 1942. This was one of two No.75 Squadron Wellingtons lost on this operation; the other was X3661. Airborne from Feltwell. Cause of the loss and crash-site are not established. Crew consisted of W/C R.Sawrey-Cookson DSO DFC (killed), P/O W.F.Budge, RNZAF (killed), Sergeant R.H.Emery (killed), Sergeant E.Hainsworth (killed), Sergeant D.P.Stock (killed), F/O G.E.Mitchell, DFM, RCAF (killed).