Usher, Dennis Charles

     
Příjmení:
Surname:
Usher Usher
Jméno:
Given Name:
Dennis Charles Dennis Charles
Jméno v originále:
Original Name:
Dennis Charles Usher
Fotografie či obrázek:
Photograph or Picture:
-
Hodnost:
Rank:
major Squadron Leader
Akademický či vědecký titul:
Academic or Scientific Title:
- -
Šlechtický titul:
Hereditary Title:
- -
Datum, místo narození:
Date and Place of Birth:
18.01.1920 Earlsfield, Londýn
18.01.1920 Earlsfield, London
Datum, místo úmrtí:
Date and Place of Decease:
24.11.2002 Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
24.11.2002 Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Nejvýznamnější funkce:
(maximálně tři)
Most Important Appointments:
(up to three)
velitel 274., 16. a 66. perutě Commander of No. 274, 16 a 66 Squadron
Jiné významné skutečnosti:
(maximálně tři)
Other Notable Facts:
(up to three)
stíhací eso (5-0-3 vítězství) Fighter Ace (5-0-3 Claims)
Související články:
Related Articles:
Zdroje:
Sources:
www.telegraph.co.uk
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Usher-Dennis-Charles-t64001#357905 Version : 0
Squadron Leader Dennis Charles Usher


RAF No.655826 (NCO); 88251 (Officer)


* 18 January 1920
+ 24 November 2002


Sources are silent about his life before joining 213 Squadron in mid-1942. At the time, the B-17 was deployed in North Africa and used the proven Hurricane Mk.II fighters. On these the Usher intervened in combat with the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica.


Usher scored his first victory on 11 September 1942, when he damaged an Italian C.202 fighter in the El Alamein area. He scored his first certain victory on 2 November.
That day, at around 15.40, twelve Hurricanes of the unit took off as top cover for 1st SAAF Squadron aircraft. Over Sidi Abd-el-Rahman, the Allies encountered a formation of about twenty Stukas with the protection of the Dangerous 100s. The pilots of 213 Squadron made their way to the Junkers and claimed a 3-3-2 victory, with another extra pilot probably shooting down a Bf 109 fighter. Usher opened his score with one Stuka.


At the end of 1942 Usher was transferred to 145 Squadron, which was armed with Spitfires Mk.V. With it he then intervened in the final battles in Africa, scoring his first victory on 12 January 1943, when he shot down one Bf 109.


During March he scored a total of 3-0-2 victories, the last on the 27th when he sent a Ju 88 bomber, probably from III./KG 77, down in the Mareth area. This was also his last aerial victory. In the meantime, however, he was promoted to officer on 8 March and learned of the award of the DFM.


He returned to Britain after the end of the 1st operational tour and by the end of 1944 had become a squadron leader with 74 Squadron. This was armed with Mk.IX Spitfires and operated within the 2nd TAF from airfields in occupied territory. At it he also learned that he had been awarded a DFC.


In April 1945 Usher became commander of the Tempest Mk.V armed 274th Squadron. He remained in command until September 1945, when it was renamed 174th Squadron. In April 1946 he was transferred to lead 16 Squadron, which also used Tempests Mk.V but also versions of Mk.II. He left the unit in January 1948.


From 1949 to 1950 he served in Greece, where the civil war was winding down.


The last unit Usher commanded became 66 Squadron in August 1952. This was armed with F.8 Meteors, Usher left it in November 1954 and left the RAF in January 1963.


He then flew in the Middle East, involved in the delivery of Hunter and Lightning aircraft to the Saudi Arabian Air Force, among others. He subsequently worked at Riyadh airport. While in Arabia, he also devoted himself fully to his love - horse riding.


He retired in 1979.


Victory table
Date
Unit
Aircraft type
Location
Enemy
11.9.1942
213th Squadron
Hurricane Mk.IIC BP592
El Alamein
C.202 Lt.
2.11.1942
213th Squadron
Hurricane Mk.IIC BP345
Alamein area
Ju 87 mark.
12.1.1943
145th Squadron
Spitfire Mk.VB ER313
Tame area
Bf 109 marked.
6.3.1943
145th Squadron
Spitfire Mk.VB ER703
Medenine area
2x Ju 87 pš.
7.3.1943
145th Squadron
Spitfire Mk.VB ER703
10 miles S Medenine
C.200 zn.
22.3.1943
145th Squadron
Spitfire Mk.VB EP440
S Zaret
Bf 109 mark.
27.3.1943
145th Squadron
Spitfire Mk.VB ES130
Mareth area
Ju 88 zn.

Total: 5-0-3


Sources:
Shores C., Williams C.: Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994
Leeson F.M.: The Hornet Strike, Air-Britain Pub., Tunbridge Wells, 1998
www.telegraph.co.uk
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URL : https://www.valka.cz/Usher-Dennis-Charles-t64001#228496 Version : 0
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