|
|
Group Captain David Roberts
This obituary appeared in a Somerset local news paper and I am grateful to Ron Barnbrook (ex- RAF Regiment) for sending me a copy.
Bringing down bombers with a rocket and a wire.
In one of the most unusual exploits of air defence during the Battle of Britain, David Roberts. then an aircraftman second class at RAF Kenlev, engaged three Dornier bombers single-handed from the ground, bringing down one and damaging the other two. He achieved this with the largely untriedparachute and cable low-altitude weapon system, which consisted of rocket projectiles to be fired into the path of any attacking aircraft. The rockets were designed to explode at 600ft, releasing a weighted trailing steel cable with a small parachute at the top end. The intention was that the wing or propellers would hit the cable, thereby opening a second parachute at the bottom creating sufficient drag to bring down the aircraft.
On August 18, 1940, RAF Kenley was attacked by nine low- flying Dornier Do I 7s, flying in three waves of three and causing much damage and many casualties. Though himself under fire, Roberts fired a line of nine of these weapons at the first wave, timing his action perfectly. The leading aircraft was hit, but the pilot slipped the cable before the lower parachute deployed and so survived (only to be destroyed by gunfire at Biggin Hill a few minutes later). The second aircraft hit one of the cables and crashed with the loss of all its crew. The third swerved violently but ran straight into antiaircraft gun fire which set fire to a wing.
Records show no other successful action with the weapon. which proved too cumbersome for ready deployment and was withdrawn after two years For his unique feat, A/C 2 Roberts was awarded the Military Medal, one of three earned by anti-aircraftmen in the South of England that day.
Roberts served throughout the war, and gained a commission in 1943. Afterwards he held important commands in the RAF Regiment, most notably in Malaya, Aden and Cyprus.
After the Battle of Britain he saw further action in the Western Desert. When the RAF Regiment was formed in 1942, he and his unit were incorporated into it. After postings in Cyprus and elsewhere, he served in Amman. From there he became engaged in clandestine operations in northern Syria.
He returned to Britain in late 1944. to the instructional staff, of the RAF Regt Depot. Belton Park, Lincolnshire. In 1946 he was posted to Malaya: where he played a key role in the formation of the RAF Regiment (Malaya). This was a very successful force, made up of both British and Malay officers, and its units including 93 Squadron, commanded by Roberts earned many gallantry awards during the Communist insurgency of 1948-59.
From 1953 to 1955 Roberts was an instructor at Cranwell, where he trained many of the RAF’s most distinguished officers of the 1970s and 1980s in the arts of leadership. Fearless, of impeccable appearance and iron-hard constitution, he was a strong but fair disciplinarian who inspired real affection and respect bordering on awe.
From 1955 to 1957 he commanded No 20 Wing RAF Regiment in Aden. This gave him responsibility not only for the internal security in the Aden colony, East Africa, British Somaliland, and for support of the Aden Protectorate Levies in the eternal intertribal warfare in what are now the southern and eastern parts of the Yemen Republic.
Next, in command of No 3 Wing RAF Regiment in Cyprus, he was heavily involved in the EOKA campaign there for two years. At Christmas 1963. as the senior RAF officer on the is1and joint security committee. he played a key role in establishing the Green line to separate the warring Greek and Turkish communities in Nicosia. He was mentioned in dispatches for his achievements during this emergency.
Despite never attending staff college, he attained the rank of Group Captain in 1966 and was appointed an aide-dc-camp to the Queen. From 1966 - 1968
He commanded the RAF Regiment Depot Catterick. and retired in 1971.
He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Bea, who was an inspiration to other RAF wives in times of peace as much as in periods of active service.Group Captain David Roberts, MBE. MM.
1919 - May 3. Born
2001. April 2. Died aged 82
