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Joe Singleton | Wing Commander Joe Singleton DSO DFC AFC Wing Commander Joseph Singleton DSO DFC AFC was one of the top scoring night fighter aces of the Second World War. He was credited with 7 enemy aircraft destroyed, 3 damaged and a V-1 missile destroyed. Wing Commander Singleton flew the Mosquito in both the offensive and defensive role. During the latter, his more notable engagements included on the night of 20 March 1944, while flying a Mosquito he intercepted and destroyed three Ju88s in a matter of minutes. The three aircraft were the lead pathfinders of a much larger bomber force heading for the city of Hull. The downing of these three aircraft effectively put an end to the success of the enemy raid. His own aircraft was so severely damaged by flying debris from the destroyed aircraft that he had to make a forced landing some 3 miles short of the runway at RAF Coltishall. For this exploit he was awarded an immediate DSO. In 1947 Wing Commander Singleton took command of No.25 Squadron and was awarded the AFC in June that year. After leaving No.25 Squadron in October 1948 he held a number of ground appointments before retiring in 1958. In retirement he was an active member of the No.25 Squadron Association, the Mosquito Aircrew Association and was the President of the local branch of the Royal Air Force Association. |
