Exploits of Squadron Leader J.H. Dunk, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar

August 1945

South Yorkshire Times August 11 1945

Exploits of Squadron Leader J.H. Dunk, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar

One would think that he is now well known at Buckingham Palace and he voluntary gave up his rank so he could resume operational flying. He has completed his third operational tour and has flown more than 100 times over enemy territory, including Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, the Skoda Works and also Italy. This is a record that he should be very proud of. It is a good thing for us that we should have men to look after us, and by their skill and daring break up the transport and manufacturing capacities of Germany.

Judging from the illustration in the papers this bombing has been most effective, causing destruction of railways, oil plants and engineering and steelwork, and after the collapse of Germany their generals stated that it was principally interrupted transport which let them down.

To remind you that at the beginning of the war Germany had a large air force of bombers and fighters with fully trained pilots and we had a very small air force with few skilled pilots from which we had to build up both planes and pilots – the pilots taken were on the whole  amateurs, but they very quickly obtained the necessary skill to pilot our planes to Germany in face of all the opposition that the Germans could put up – it speaks very well for the younger men of this country

No Sloppiness about Germany

Flight Lieutenant Dunk told of his appreciation with which gifts were received by those who were serving away from home and of the disappointment they felt when letters and parcels did not arrive.

He spoke emphatically about the Japanese reminded his heroes that this was still on, deploring what he considered undue optimism in some quarters our Japanese enemy was still a hard nut to crack” and we must not forget the men and women were serving out there.

“And please do not let us have any sentimental sloppiness about Germany. The Germans were “chained up” but were still our enemies. The war is still on and do not forget that your friends are in it.”