Medal & Mortality index
The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to Officers and Warrant Officers
for acts of gallantry when flying in active operations against the enemy. Bars
may be added for additional acts of gallantry.
POGSON, 2/Lieutenant Desmond Philip ... 104th Squadron, Independent Air Force,
R.A.F.
MANNHEIM, 22nd August, 1918, and many other occasions. In a recent long-distance
bombing raid his petrol tank received a shot immediately after crossing the
line, but he continued on his journey and bombed the distant objective. On the
return journey very fierce fighting occurred, during which both leaders and
deputy-leaders of our formations were shot down, and the remaining machines lost
touch with each other. At this critical moment 2/Lieutenant Pogson ordered his
observer to tie his handkerchief to the gun-mounting to indicate that his was
the leader's machine. He then circled over the area three times and picked up
five of our machines, and in face of very hostile opposition got them into
formation and brought them all safely home. The prompt action of this officer
was highly meritorious, and undoubtedly saved the remaining machines, which
could not have coped with the greatly superior formations of the enemy. [766417