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Brian Lane (RAF officer)

April 12, 2024

Brian John Edward "Sandy" Lane DFC (18 June 1917 – 13 December 1942) was a fighter pilot and flying ace of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He was also an author.

Brian Lane
Brian Lane (centre) after a sortie during the Battle of Britain, 1940
Nickname(s)Sandy
Born(1917-06-18)18 June 1917
Harrogate, England
Died13 December 1942(1942-12-13) (aged 25)
North Sea
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1936–1942
RankSquadron Leader
Commands heldNo. 19 Squadron RAF
Battles/wars
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross

Early life edit

 
Memorial plaque to Lane in Pinner.

Born in Pannal, Harrogate,[1] Lane grew up in Pinner and attended St Paul’s School in Hammersmith before entering the RAF in 1936.[2][3] He was the son of Henry Fitzgerald William Lane and Bessie Elinor Lane (née Hall). After leaving school, Lane worked as a factory supervisor.[4]

RAF career edit

1936–1941 edit

Lane joined the Royal Air Force in 1936, with service number 37859. After training at 3 E&RFTS Hamble in March 1936, he was posted to No. 11 Flying Training School at RAF Wittering on 1 June and was commissioned into the RAF General Duties Branch on 18 May 1936 on a short service commission. Upon completion of his training, he joined No. 66 Squadron RAF at RAF Duxford on 8 January 1937 at the rank of Pilot Officer. In June 1937 Lane moved to No. 213 Squadron RAF at RAF Northolt. He was promoted to Flying Officer on 23 December 1938. Shortly before the outbreak of war, Lane joined No. 19 Squadron RAF at RAF Duxford as an Officer Commanding "A" Flight, flying Spitfires.

In June 1940, Lane married famous racing driver Eileen Ellison in Cambridge.[5]

During the Dunkirk evacuation in May 1940 Lane was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his bravery,[6] and his official rating as a fighter pilot classed "exceptional". He became acting squadron commander on 25 May 1940 when the incumbent commanding officer was shot down over Dunkirk.[7]

By September 1940, during the peak of the Battle of Britain, Lane's abilities as a fighter pilot and leader were duly recognised, and he was promoted to squadron leader.[8]

Lane's No. 19 Squadron RAF often operated with No. 242 Squadron RAF, and led by 242's Squadron Leader Douglas Bader, the squadrons often working together as part of the Duxford Wing, 12 Group's controversial "Big Wing" formation.[9]

After the Battle of Britain, Lane continued flying with 19 Squadron until June 1941 when he was posted to the No. 12 Group RAF staff at RAF Hucknall.[10]

1941–1942 edit

In November 1941 Lane was posted on a staff appointment to the Middle East.[11] In June 1942 Lane returned to England to command No. 61 OTU at Mountford Bridge, until December 1942 when he joined No. 167 Squadron RAF at RAF Ludham as a supernumerary squadron leader flying the Spitfire Mk. V.[12]

He made his first operational flight with the Squadron on 13 December 1942, during which he was last seen giving chase to two Focke-Wulf 190 fighters. He never returned from this mission and was listed as "missing in action". Lane has no known grave having most likely been shot down over the North Sea. It is probable he was a victim of Oblt. Leonhardt of 6./JG 1 and crashed into the sea 30 km west of Schouwen 51°37′05″N 3°27′18″E / 51.618°N 3.455°E / 51.618; 3.455[13] at 16:34 hrs.[10]

During Lane's operational career, he claimed 6 (and 1 shared) enemy aircraft shot down, 2 unconfirmed destroyed, 1 probable destroyed and 1 damaged.[10][14][15]

Published work edit

Lane was the author of Spitfire!, which was originally published in 1942 under the pseudonym B.J. Ellan. The book is a firsthand account of Lane's experiences as a front line Spitfire pilot, and is one of only a few contemporaneous autobiographical accounts of the life of a Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot.[16]

Historian Dilip Sarkar spent many years editing and researching the original work to replace the code words used by the war time censor with the correct names of people and places. The revised book was republished in 2009 and again in 2011.

Interviews edit

This is what some of Lane's fellow 19 Squadron pilots and crew thought of him:[8]

Flight Sergeant George "Grumpy" Unwin: "He was completely unflappable, no matter what the odds, his voice always calm and reassuring, issuing orders which always seemed to be the right decisions."

Sergeant David Cox: "Quite simply Brian Lane was the best CO [Commanding Officer] I ever served under, in every respect, and when my turn came to lead, I modelled myself on him."

Corporal Fred Roberts: "...he was an absolutely wonderful man. Early on in the war, some of the officers could still be a bit snobbish, but not Brian Lane, who knew everyone in his command, no matter how lowly their rank or status, by their first names."

Memorial plaque edit

A permanent memorial plaque, organised by local resident Paul Baderman, was unveiled on Lane's former home in Pinner, London on 25 September 2011, 69 years after his death.[17] A crowd of about 400 people attended the short ceremony which saw guests of honour Flt Lt K A Wilkinson RAF and Mr John Milne unveil the plaque. Flt Lt Wilkinson flew under Lane's command in 19 Squadron and Milne was Lane's Rigger, responsible for refuelling Lane's Spitfire and the repair of its airframe.[18]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Royal Air Force Officers 1939-1945 -- L".
  2. ^ [1] A history of Pinner by Patricia A. Clarke – page 195
  3. ^ "No. 34290". The London Gazette. 2 June 1936. p. 3526.
  4. ^
  5. ^ . The Golden Era of Grand Prix Racing. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  6. ^ "No. 34910". The London Gazette. 30 July 1940. p. 4675.
  7. ^ http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Dux_Sept_Air_Show_Prog_2010.pdf[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ a b Spitfire!, pp 7–12, Foreword by Dilip Sarkar MBE FRHistS
  9. ^ . Archived from the original on 14 September 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  10. ^ a b c 'Aces High', Shores & Williams, biog on page 386
  11. ^ "No. 35383". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 December 1941. p. 7111.
  12. ^ "No. 35727". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 September 1942. p. 4276.
  13. ^ . Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  14. ^ "La-pilots".
  15. ^ . Archived from the original on 3 October 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  16. ^ Lane, Brian; Sarkar, Dilip (15 June 2009). Spitfire!: The Experiences of a Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot. ASIN 1848683545.
  17. ^ . Archived from the original on 22 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  18. ^ "Event to remember war veteran with flypast to be held this month". 8 September 2011.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brian Lane (RAF officer).
  • Photograph of Lane

51°37′05″N 3°27′18″E / 51.618°N 03.455°E / 51.618; 03.455

April 12, 2024
brian, lane, officer, brian, john, edward, sandy, lane, june, 1917, december, 1942, fighter, pilot, flying, royal, force, during, second, world, also, author, brian, lanebrian, lane, centre, after, sortie, during, battle, britain, 1940nickname, sandyborn, 1917. Brian John Edward Sandy Lane DFC 18 June 1917 13 December 1942 was a fighter pilot and flying ace of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War He was also an author Brian LaneBrian Lane centre after a sortie during the Battle of Britain 1940Nickname s SandyBorn 1917 06 18 18 June 1917Harrogate EnglandDied13 December 1942 1942 12 13 aged 25 North SeaAllegianceUnited KingdomService wbr branchRoyal Air ForceYears of service1936 1942RankSquadron LeaderCommands heldNo 19 Squadron RAFBattles warsSecond World War Battle of BritainAwardsDistinguished Flying Cross Contents 1 Early life 2 RAF career 2 1 1936 1941 2 2 1941 1942 3 Published work 4 Interviews 5 Memorial plaque 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksEarly life edit nbsp Memorial plaque to Lane in Pinner Born in Pannal Harrogate 1 Lane grew up in Pinner and attended St Paul s School in Hammersmith before entering the RAF in 1936 2 3 He was the son of Henry Fitzgerald William Lane and Bessie Elinor Lane nee Hall After leaving school Lane worked as a factory supervisor 4 RAF career edit1936 1941 edit Lane joined the Royal Air Force in 1936 with service number 37859 After training at 3 E amp RFTS Hamble in March 1936 he was posted to No 11 Flying Training School at RAF Wittering on 1 June and was commissioned into the RAF General Duties Branch on 18 May 1936 on a short service commission Upon completion of his training he joined No 66 Squadron RAF at RAF Duxford on 8 January 1937 at the rank of Pilot Officer In June 1937 Lane moved to No 213 Squadron RAF at RAF Northolt He was promoted to Flying Officer on 23 December 1938 Shortly before the outbreak of war Lane joined No 19 Squadron RAF at RAF Duxford as an Officer Commanding A Flight flying Spitfires In June 1940 Lane married famous racing driver Eileen Ellison in Cambridge 5 During the Dunkirk evacuation in May 1940 Lane was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross DFC for his bravery 6 and his official rating as a fighter pilot classed exceptional He became acting squadron commander on 25 May 1940 when the incumbent commanding officer was shot down over Dunkirk 7 By September 1940 during the peak of the Battle of Britain Lane s abilities as a fighter pilot and leader were duly recognised and he was promoted to squadron leader 8 Lane s No 19 Squadron RAF often operated with No 242 Squadron RAF and led by 242 s Squadron Leader Douglas Bader the squadrons often working together as part of the Duxford Wing 12 Group s controversial Big Wing formation 9 After the Battle of Britain Lane continued flying with 19 Squadron until June 1941 when he was posted to the No 12 Group RAF staff at RAF Hucknall 10 1941 1942 edit In November 1941 Lane was posted on a staff appointment to the Middle East 11 In June 1942 Lane returned to England to command No 61 OTU at Mountford Bridge until December 1942 when he joined No 167 Squadron RAF at RAF Ludham as a supernumerary squadron leader flying the Spitfire Mk V 12 He made his first operational flight with the Squadron on 13 December 1942 during which he was last seen giving chase to two Focke Wulf 190 fighters He never returned from this mission and was listed as missing in action Lane has no known grave having most likely been shot down over the North Sea It is probable he was a victim of Oblt Leonhardt of 6 JG 1 and crashed into the sea 30 km west of Schouwen 51 37 05 N 3 27 18 E 51 618 N 3 455 E 51 618 3 455 13 at 16 34 hrs 10 During Lane s operational career he claimed 6 and 1 shared enemy aircraft shot down 2 unconfirmed destroyed 1 probable destroyed and 1 damaged 10 14 15 Published work editLane was the author of Spitfire which was originally published in 1942 under the pseudonym B J Ellan The book is a firsthand account of Lane s experiences as a front line Spitfire pilot and is one of only a few contemporaneous autobiographical accounts of the life of a Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot 16 Historian Dilip Sarkar spent many years editing and researching the original work to replace the code words used by the war time censor with the correct names of people and places The revised book was republished in 2009 and again in 2011 Interviews editThis is what some of Lane s fellow 19 Squadron pilots and crew thought of him 8 Flight Sergeant George Grumpy Unwin He was completely unflappable no matter what the odds his voice always calm and reassuring issuing orders which always seemed to be the right decisions Sergeant David Cox Quite simply Brian Lane was the best CO Commanding Officer I ever served under in every respect and when my turn came to lead I modelled myself on him Corporal Fred Roberts he was an absolutely wonderful man Early on in the war some of the officers could still be a bit snobbish but not Brian Lane who knew everyone in his command no matter how lowly their rank or status by their first names Memorial plaque editA permanent memorial plaque organised by local resident Paul Baderman was unveiled on Lane s former home in Pinner London on 25 September 2011 69 years after his death 17 A crowd of about 400 people attended the short ceremony which saw guests of honour Flt Lt K A Wilkinson RAF and Mr John Milne unveil the plaque Flt Lt Wilkinson flew under Lane s command in 19 Squadron and Milne was Lane s Rigger responsible for refuelling Lane s Spitfire and the repair of its airframe 18 See also editList of people who disappeared mysteriously at seaReferences edit Royal Air Force Officers 1939 1945 L 1 A history of Pinner by Patricia A Clarke page 195 No 34290 The London Gazette 2 June 1936 p 3526 Heroes of the Battle of Britain website Drivers E The Golden Era of Grand Prix Racing Archived from the original on 20 November 2018 Retrieved 6 February 2018 No 34910 The London Gazette 30 July 1940 p 4675 http duxford iwm org uk upload pdf Dux Sept Air Show Prog 2010 pdf permanent dead link a b Spitfire pp 7 12 Foreword by Dilip Sarkar MBE FRHistS Imperial War Museum Duxford gt What s on gt Talks and Tours Spitfire Stories Tour Archived from the original on 14 September 2011 Retrieved 19 October 2011 a b c Aces High Shores amp Williams biog on page 386 No 35383 The London Gazette Supplement 16 December 1941 p 7111 No 35727 The London Gazette Supplement 29 September 1942 p 4276 Wings to Victory crash site database Archived from the original on 2 April 2015 Retrieved 16 May 2012 La pilots English British Aces of WWII Archived from the original on 3 October 2010 Retrieved 11 October 2010 Lane Brian Sarkar Dilip 15 June 2009 Spitfire The Experiences of a Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot ASIN 1848683545 S L Brian Lane DFC Commemoration the Pinner Association Archived from the original on 22 October 2011 Retrieved 19 October 2011 Event to remember war veteran with flypast to be held this month 8 September 2011 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brian Lane RAF officer Photograph of Lane51 37 05 N 3 27 18 E 51 618 N 03 455 E 51 618 03 455 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Brian Lane RAF officer amp oldid 1193450564, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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