“Rusty” Waughman, who has died aged 100, completed a tour of operations as aLancaster pilot on a squadron that suffered some of the worst casualties in the war. The squadron’s aircraft were equipped with a special apparatus that searched out and jammed enemy radio transmissions. To operate this equipment, and then transmit spurious messages to German night fighter crews, a specially trained German-speaking operator accompanied the crew. Waughman and his crew flew on the ill-fated operation to bomb Nuremberg on the night of March 30/31, 1944 when Bomber Command suffered its worst losses. On another occasion, after a collision over Hasselt, Waughman brought his badly damaged aircraft back o base. He and his crew were the first in six months to survive a tour of 30 operations. He was awarded the DFC. Post war, he joined Transport Command, became an examiner and flew many sorties during the Berlin Airlift. For his work in the Command, he was awarded the AFC.

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In this second of four articles, the Fighter Command offensive over NW Europe during 1942 is assessed. The operations became more sophisticated and sometimes involved over twenty fighter squadrons. The Luftwaffe chose its moments to attack, usually as RAF fighters were reaching their maximum endurance, and RAF casualties losses remained heavy and almost always greater than those inflicted on the enemy. Following the German invasion of Russia, there was no discernible transfer of squadrons to the east. The huge effort in support of Operation Jubilee, the ill-fated Dieppe raid, is outlined. Whilst the operation was a failure, Fighter Command learnt many valuable lessons, not least in the command and control of fighter forces. The experience gained in the heat of offensive operations ultimately led to the Tactical Air Force formed on 1 June 1943.

The latest edition of the magazine Coin Collector includes my article on the Africa General Service Medal with the Clasp for operations in Somaliland in1920, the first operation based on Trenchard’s proposal for “Air Control”

Sir Peter Harding, who has died aged 87, was the RAF’s Chief of Air Staff (CAS) before becoming the Chief of Defence Staff in 1992 Eighteen months later he resigned following a tabloid expose of his affair with the wife of a former Conservative MP.

Harding joined the RAF as a national serviceman and trained as a pilot before beginning a full career. He flew Canberra bombers, became a flying instructor and later converted to Wessex helicopters before taking command of 18 Squadron in Germany. He commanded the large base at Bruggen with three Phantom squadrons. He flew regularly and claimed that the Phantom was his favourite aircraft. He served in MoD in numerous appointments on defence policy and later served at NATO in a key appointment. He commanded No 11 (Fighter) Group and was Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff before becoming the C-in-C of Strike Command. He was appointed CAS in November 1988. He was widely admired for his presence, charisma, intellect and social manner. Following reports of his affair in the News of the World, he resigned.

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A few editions ago, the magazine Coin Collector began a series featuring military campaign medals with a brief account of the circumstances and actions the led to the issue. For the summer edition of the magazine, I was invited to write a short article and chose the India General Service Medal with the clasp Afghanistan NWF 1919.

Air Marshal Sir Roy Austen-Smith was probably the last senior RAF officer to see action in the Second World War. He flew Spitfires in the closing weeks of the war with 41 squadron, based first at Eindhoven and then at Celle in Germany. After the war he saw action in Malaya against the communist terrorists when he was awarded the DFC. His varied flying career saw him command a Canberra squadron in Cyprus and a Victor bomber squadron in Suffolk. He later commanded RAF Wattisham, home to two Lightning squadrons. He was Commandant at the RAF College Cranwell at a time of great change and later served as the Commander of British Foreses in Cyprus before becoming the Head of the British Delegation in Washington. He was a fine rugby player representing Harlequins, the RAF and the Combined Services.

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Allan Scott became an “ace” Spitfire pilot during the Siege of Malta in 1942. He had flown to the besieged island after taking off from the aircraft carrier Eagle and fought during the hectic “Second Blitz” when he shot down at least five enemy aircraft and damaged others. During Operation Pedestal, the crucial re-supply convoy, Scott provided support as the remnants, including the tanker Ohio, sailed into Valetta. He was awarded an immediate DFM. He returned to the UK to become an instructor at a fighter training unit before become a test and ferry pilot. He served post war and transferred to the air traffic control branch after his flying days were over. During the RAF 100 celebrations in 1918, he flew in a Spitfire and had hoped to do so again on his 100th birthday, but it was not to be.

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