Flying Officer Baillie's citation from 1946: The KING has been, graciously pleased to approve the award of the George Medal to the undermentioned : — Flying Officer John James BAILLIE (Can/J.37488), Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 194 Squadron. On I4th June, 1945, Flying Officer Baillie was the navigator of a Dakota aircraft which crashed near Mydngyan air strip in Central Burma. The fuel tanks burst and fire soon spread to the fuselage. When he recovered consciousness Flying Officer Baillie discovered that his leg was entangled in the static line and that his clothes were burning. He freed himself by a great effort and, although he was suffering from multiple head injuries, a broken cheek bone and concussion, he dragged two Indian other ranks clear of the wreckage. On hearing screams from inside the aircraft, he re-entered. In spite of further burns which he sustained to hand and leg, he rescued the delirious wireless operator who resisted his efforts. By his great courage and complete disregard for his own safety, Flying Officer Baillie saved the lives of the wireless operator and two Indian other ranks. And a 1946 Canadian newspaper article. http://collections.civilisations.ca/warclip/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=5019120
Baillie, John James (Flying Officer)
Survived 1945-June-14
Birth Date: unkown date
Born: Toronto, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada
Parents:
Spouse:
Home: Toronto, Ontario
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RCAF
Unit
194 (T) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Surrigere colligere To rise and to pick up
Base
Akyab Main, Burma (Sittwe, Myanmar)
Rank
Flying Officer
Position
Navigator
Service Numbers
J/37488
Home
Toronto, Ontario
Crew or Other Personnel
Dakota KG694
Mission
Dakota Mk. lll KG694
Transport 1945-June-14 to 1945-June-14
194 (T) Sqn (RAF) Akyab Main, Burma (Sittwe, Myanmar)
194 Squadron (Surrigere coligere) Akyab Main, Burma (now Sittwe, Myanmar). Dakota Mk III KG-694 suffered an engine failure on take off for an airborne supply drop flight which resulted in the aircraft crashing and catching fire three miles south of Myingyan Aerodrome, Burma.
Flight Lieutenant James Murray Rice (RCAF), Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Maynard Cox (RCAF), and one passenger, Pioneer Mohi Din of the 1588 Company, Indian Pioneer Corps were killed in action. After the crash, the Navigator, Flying Officer John James Baillie (RCAF), badly injured, regained consciousness to find himself entangled in the wreckage inside the burning aircraft. He somehow managed to work himself free and got out, only to hear the screams of other crew members still trapped inside. Despite his injuries, Flying Officer Baillie re-entered the burning Dakota to pull out the Wireless Operator, Alexander Smith (RAFVR) and two other passengers, Sepoy Dehru Ram and Barber Nawab Ali, both from the Indian Army Service Corps. Smith later succumbed to his injuries but the other two crew members and Flying Officer Baillie survived
In 1946 Flying Officer Baillie was awarded the George Medal for this act of bravery (D Burke www.rafcommands.com)
Seven to One, A Collection of Stories by John James Baillie and Catherine Louise Baillie
Royal Air Force Serial and Image DatabaseDakota KG694 Mk. lll - Transport - 1945-06-14 to 1945-06-14
6 Group Unavailable
194 Squadron (Surrigere coligere) Akyab Main, Burma (now Sittwe, Myanmar). Dakota Mk III KG-694 suffered an engine failure on take off for an airborne supply drop flight which resulted in the aircraft crashing and catching fire three miles south of Myingyan Aerodrome, Burma.
Flight Lieutenant James Murray Rice (RCAF), Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Maynard Cox (RCAF), and one passenger, Pioneer Mohi Din of the 1588 Company, Indian Pioneer Corps were killed in action. After the crash, the Navigator, Flying Officer John James Baillie (RCAF), badly injured, regained consciousness to find himself entangled in the wreckage inside the burning aircraft. He somehow managed to work himself free and got out, only to hear the screams of other crew members still trapped inside. Despite his injuries, Flying Officer Baillie re-entered the burning Dakota to pull out the Wireless Operator, Alexander Smith (RAFVR) and two other passengers, Sepoy Dehru Ram and Barber Nawab Ali, both from the Indian Army Service Corps. Smith later succumbed to his injuries but the other two crew members and Flying Officer Baillie survived
In 1946 Flying Officer Baillie was awarded the George Medal for this act of bravery (D Burke www.rafcommands.com)
Seven to One, A Collection of Stories by John James Baillie and Catherine Louise Baillie