Distinguished Flying Cross : Flight Lieutenant W V D White, 2 Squadron, RAAF

Distinguished Flying Cross. Engraved reverse lower arm '1942'.

624 Flying Officer William Vyner Duckett White enlisted in the RAAF in January 1940, and qualified as a pilot. He was posted to 2 Squadron, Darwin, flying Hudson bombers, in August 1940. In December 1941 the squadron moved to Ambon. From their base at Laha the squadron flew continuously against the advancing Japanese forces. By late January 1942 the invasion force was closing in on the island. The citation for the award of White's Distinguished Flying Cross reads, in part, 'His constant devotion to duty and the skill and daring displayed by him whilst flying against the enemy in the Celebes-Ambon area proved a shining example to his crew and the other members of his Squadron. On the 29th and 30th January, 1942, immediately preceding the Japanese invasion of Ambon, Flying Officer White carried out an almost continous reconnaissance of the large enemy invasion fleet. The enemy force was strongly supported by fighter aircrafr but, despite frequent attacks, Flying Officer White courageously, persistenetly and with outstanding skill continued his reconnaisssance until the enemy were withing ten miles of their objective. As a result of repeated attacks his aircraft was so seriously damaged that it could no longer be flown but his successful reconnaissance enabled the land forces to occupy the most favourable positions possible prior to the attack. Flying Officer White's actions during this trying and difficult period constituted and epic story of courage, determination, skill and devotion to duty.' Most members of 2 Squadron managed to escape the advancing Japanese but White chose to stay in an attempt to repair his plane and fly out as many remaining ground staff as he could. This was impossible, so they made their way north over the mountainous centre of Ambon and were escaping by canoe when they were captured by the Japanese. After interrogation they were executed at Laha, together with B Company, 2/21 Battalion and some other troops, between 17 and 20 February 1942, a total of 234 men.