Arthur Charles "Cocky" Cochrane

TWO CANADIANS AWARDED D.F.C.

Ottawa, March 26, 1943 (CP). — Air Force Headquarters tonight announced award of Distinguished Flying Crosses to Flt. Lt. Arthur Charles Cochrane of Vernon, B.C., a Canadian, flying with the R.A.F., and PO, Jack Pershing Berry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Berry of Parkersburg, W. Va. Berry is a United States pilot flying with the R.C.A.F. overseas.
The citation of Flt. Lt. Cochrane said that "one night in January, 1943, in moonlight, he destroyed a three-engined enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to seven enemy aircraft destroyed."
In July 1942, PO. Berry participated in the bombing of Düsseldorf. His aircraft was attacked by an enemy night fighter, which was shot down by the rear gunner. The crew flew on and bombed the target successfully. While bombing the Ruhr in daylight by skillful airmanship, PO. Berry made use of scanty cloud cover and completed a successful mission.

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COCHRANE, F/L Arthur Charles (42195) - Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded as per London Gazette 30 March 1943.

Since joining the squadron in August 1942, Flight Lieutenant Cochrane has shown himself to be a most capable and keen pilot and flight commander. One night in January 1943, in moonlght, he destroyed a three-engined enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to seven enemy aircraft desroyed. This officer has consistently displayed high courage and great devotion to duty.

NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/8942 has recommendation dated 1 February 1943 submitted by Squadron Leader Measures; it noted he had flown 857 hours (62 in previous six months) of which approximately 150 were operational hours (about 90 sorties).

The above-named officer served with No.257 (Burma) Squadron (Spitfires) from April 1940 to January 1941, during which time he personally destroyed six enemy aircraft:
one Messerschmitt 109,
one Messerschmitt 110,
one Dornier 17,
one Heinkel 111K,
two Dornier 215s, and
- damaged seven others.

From January 1941 to July 1941 he served as an instructor at No.56 Operational Training Unit, and from July 1941 to July 1942, at No.60 Night Operational Training Unit.

In August 1942 he joined No.87 Squadron as a Flight Commander and whilst under my command has shown himself a most capable and keen pilot and Flight Commander. On the 22nd January 1943 he took off in a Hurricane at 0630 hours by moonlight and destroyed a three-engines enemy aircraft 30 miles north of Bougie. In undertaking a sorties of this nature from a new and somewhat hazardous landing ground, this officer displayed courage of a high degree and the greatest devotion to duty.

The Group Captain commanding No.323 Wing concurred on 5 February 1943, and the Air Officer Commanding, Eastern Air Command (RAF) agreed on 22 February 1943.

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Air Force Casualties

Ottawa, Jan. 18, 1944 — The Department of National Defense for Air has issued Official Casualty List 782 as follows:
CANADIAN IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE OVERSEAS
Presumed Dead
COCHRANE, Arthur Charles, D.F.C., FL. Vernon, B.C.

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--- Canadian Aces ---

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