Adrian Warburton - Sicily 1943

Sicily 1943

In February 1943, Warburton was promoted to war substantive Squadron Leader. He was then involved in the vital pre-invasion reconnaissance of the landing beaches in Sicily in 1943. Now commanding 683 Squadron, he co-ordinated the photographic work with the local American forces, who were amazed at the much-decorated officer attired in dirty grey flannels, an oil-stained tunic and topped by a mop of long unkempt blond hair when he came out to greet them at Luqa airfield.He had just "returned from the dead" after being missing for three days. While photographing Bizerte his plane was disabled by flak. He struggled on to Bone and landed unhurt. After being kept under lock and key for two days suspected of being a German agent he was able to establish that he was British and was given a French plane to fly to Gibraltar. There he changed it for a Spitfire and flew back to Malta, picking up his cameras and film at Bone and shooting down a Ju88 on the way. When he landed at Malta his first remark was - allegedly- "Sorry I'm late".

In October 1943, Warburton was given command of a new photo-reconnaissance wing of four squadrons. However, following a car accident in late 1943, he was hospitalised for several weeks and subsequently returned to the UK.

One story of Warburton recounted by Squadron Leader Bill Olmsted DSO, DFC. Soon after the North African landing the "brass" wanted to know if the Bizerte airdrome was in our hands, as communications had broken down. From Malta, Warby took a twin-engine bomber, and when he arrived at the airdrome started landing with wheels and flaps down. He successfully escaped the heavy ground fire which greeted him. Returning to Malta he declared the airdrome was not yet secure. This story was confirmed by British commandos who were in the position to observe the attempt to land.

Read more about this topic:  Adrian Warburton

Famous quotes containing the word sicily:

    One usually dies because one is alone, or because one has got into something over one’s head. One often dies because one does not have the right alliances, because one is not given support. In Sicily the Mafia kills the servants of the State that the State has not been able to protect.
    Giovanni Falcone (1939–1992)