Hawkins, Gordon Ernest (Squadron Leader)

88 Hong Kong Squadron (En Garde). Boston aircraft lost over enemy territory. The following report was provided by Ex Warrant Officer J.C. Rice of Oshawa, Ontario who was a WOAG on the operation, We were hit by machine gun fire as we made a low-level attack on an enemy aerodrome and the starboard engine was set on fire. Two enemy FW190 fighter aircraft rode us into the deck and we crashed in a wheat field near St Omer. Both the Welsh navigator and Squadron Leader Hawkins died in hospital, the Irish WOAG was an Evader and made it back to England, and I was taken Prisoner of War. Squadron Leader Hawkins made a good crash landing and was responsible for my survival." Squadron Leader Hawkins had flown Gladiator aircraft with 22 Squadron in the Middle East during the early part of the War.