COOL DUDES I ADMIRE: OFFICER ERIC LOCK, 41st SQUADRON RAF

in SEPTEMBER 1940, officer eric lock of the 41st squadron royal air force took on three german HE 111s of the luftwaffe and shot one down into sea. as calm as could be, he IMMEDIATEly attacked another german aircraft and destroyed it. one month later, he was awarded a bar to the distinguished flying cross for his service the month prior. the details of the award stated “he had displayed great courage in the face of heavy odds” it was ultimately determined that he SINGLE HANDEDLY destroyed fifteen enemy aircraft in a period of nineteen days.

during the battle of britain, he became one of the most famous aces of WWII, officially credited with having shot down 21 enemy aircraft. his short stature & popularity in the british press earned him the nickname “sawn off lockie.” he went on to earn a distinguished service order and join the 611 squadron in 1941. on a mission near boulogne, france in august of 1941, his plane was shot down and his remains were never recovered.