World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Saltcoats, Scotland, he served as a Flying Officer in the 22nd Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. On April 6, 1941, Flying Officer Campbell was a pilot of a Beaufort aircraft which was detailed to attack the German battle cruiser Gneisenau at Brest Harbor, France. The battle cruiser was secured alongside the wall on the north shore of the harbor protected by a stone mole, batteries of guns and three heavily armed anti-aircraft ships. Knowing the heavy odds, he ran the gauntlet of the defenses, coming in at almost sea level, passed the anti-aircraft ships under extreme fire and launched a torpedo at point-blank range as the battle cruiser was trying to leave dock. The battle cruiser was severely damaged below the water-line and had to return to the dock out of action. Because of rising ground surrounding the harbor Flying Officer Campbell was forced into a steep banking turn, was met by heavy enemy anti-aircraft flak and crashed into the harbor, killing him and his other three crew mates. For valor of the highest order, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on March 13, 1942.
You can view the Cenotaph here: Cenotaph
You can view the Cenotaph here: Cenotaph
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Saltcoats, Scotland, he served as a Flying Officer in the 22nd Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. On April 6, 1941, Flying Officer Campbell was a pilot of a Beaufort aircraft which was detailed to attack the German battle cruiser Gneisenau at Brest Harbor, France. The battle cruiser was secured alongside the wall on the north shore of the harbor protected by a stone mole, batteries of guns and three heavily armed anti-aircraft ships. Knowing the heavy odds, he ran the gauntlet of the defenses, coming in at almost sea level, passed the anti-aircraft ships under extreme fire and launched a torpedo at point-blank range as the battle cruiser was trying to leave dock. The battle cruiser was severely damaged below the water-line and had to return to the dock out of action. Because of rising ground surrounding the harbor Flying Officer Campbell was forced into a steep banking turn, was met by heavy enemy anti-aircraft flak and crashed into the harbor, killing him and his other three crew mates. For valor of the highest order, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on March 13, 1942.
You can view the Cenotaph here: Cenotaph
You can view the Cenotaph here: Cenotaph
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
'Youngest Son Of James Campbell, Kerelaw, Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland'
Family Members
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