Arthur Louis Aaron

Festwerfer · Post by **Festwerfer** » Sat 10 Jan, 2009 11:11 pm

The saga of Aaron's statue is one that is well known but I visited the new Leeds museum today after having been told his VC was on display in there. Expecting to see a wonderfull tribute to this truly brave man what I saw left me very angry it would seem to my eyes at least he has been sold short once again. The medal's look like they were mounted by a 2 year old the citation for his award is so small I struggeld to read it and the whole display explains very little of what he and his generation did. First we have a statue no one knows is there and now we have display no one can understand. Ok im sure those in the know will explain why it is like it is and answer my comments but if some one who knows what he is looking at is left not understanding then how do they hope to educate those who don't. Sadly it seems to me it is not the only display in there that fails to expand on what is in front of the viewer. As a keen modeller who has displayed at venues like the armouries and the Yorkshire air museum my models usually have a little info attached so the viewer understands what he is looking at so how hard can it be. Rant over Below for those who dont know is a little info and his citation.Arthur Louis AaronBirth: Mar. 5, 1922Death: Aug. 13, 1943World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of Leeds, Yorkshire, he was a student at the Leeds School of Architecture when World war II began. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force, and spent part of his training in the United States Texas. On returning to England, he was attached to the 218 "Gold Coast" Squadron. He had amassed ninety operational flying hours and 19 sorties, one of which had garnered him a Distinguished Flying Medal, when he performed the deeds for which he was awarded the VC. His citation reads "On the night of 12th August, 1943, Flight-Sergeant Aaron was captain and pilot of a bomber detailed to attack Turin. When approaching its target, the aircraft was hit by fire from an enemy fighter, which caused it to become unstable and difficult to control. Flight-Sergeant Aaron was wounded in the face and lung, and his right arm was rendered useless. After a rest, he made determined efforts to take control again -- persuaded to desist, he wrote instructions with his left hand, and guided the bomb-aimer in the hazardous task of landing the damaged aircraft at Bone [Algeria] in North Africa. Nine hours after landing, he died of exhaustion. In appalling conditions he showed the greatest qualities of courage, determination and leadership, and though wounded and dying, he set an example of devotion to duty which has seldom been equalled and never surpassed." A scholarship to the Leeds School of Architecture was established in Aaron's memory, and in 2001 a statue of him was erected on the Eastgate Roundabout in Leeds. His parents donated his VC medal to the Leeds City Museum. (bio by: Paul F. Wilson)

grumpytramp · Post by **grumpytramp** » Sat 10 Jan, 2009 11:32 pm

That really is a shameI can remember the reverence and great pride that Roundhay School had, even in the late 1970's/early 1980's, for this extra-ordinary, oh so very brave man and ex-pupil! I trust that despite the redevelopment of the school, the memorial in the (old boys school) main hall remains ........ a fitting tribute to one of the bravest old Roundhegians!

Brandy · Post by **Brandy** » Sun 11 Jan, 2009 2:31 pm

I just thought id 'bump' this thread back up to the top where it belongs.Lets face it nowadays to get honoured all you have to do is bring out a few crappy records or star in some third rate hollywood movie??Ive also put a few pics together of this great man for all on here to see so you can get an image in your heads of a TRUE hero.

Brandy · Post by **Brandy** » Sun 11 Jan, 2009 2:32 pm

grumpytramp · Post by **grumpytramp** » Sun 11 Jan, 2009 3:23 pm

His full Victoria Cross citation: Extract from the Fourth Supplement of The London Gazette No. 36235 of Friday 5th November 1943 wrote: The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery :- 1458181 Acting Flight Sergeant Arthur Louis Aaron D.F.M., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 218 Squadron (Deceased) :- On the night of 12th August, 1943, Flight Sergeant Aaron was captain and pilot of a Stirling aircraft detailed to attack Turin. When approaching to attack, the bomber received devastating bursts of fire from an enemy fighter. Three engines were hit, the windscreen shattered, the front and rear turrets put out of action and the elevator control damaged, causing the aircraft to become unstable and difficult to control. The navigator was killed and other members of the crew were wounded. A bullet struck Flight Sergeant Aaron in the face, breaking his jaw and tearing away part of his face. He was also wounded in the lung and his right arm was rendered useless. As he fell forward over the control column, the aircraft dived several thousand feet. Control was regained by the flight engineer at 3,000 feet. Unable to speak, Flight Sergeant Aaron urged the bomb aimer by signs to take over the controls. Course was then set southwards in an endeavour to fly the crippled bomber, with one engine out of action, to Sicily or North Africa. Flight Sergeant Aaron was assisted to the rear of the aircraft and treated with morphia. After resting for some time he rallied and, mindful of his responsibility as captain of the aircraft, insisted on returning to the pilots cockpit, where he was lifted into his seat and had his feet placed on the rudder bar. Twice he made determined attempts to take control and hold the aircraft to its course but his weakness was evident and with difficulty he was persuaded to desist. Though in great pain and suffering from exhaustion, he continued to help by writing directions with his left hand. Five hours after leaving the target the petrol began to run low, but soon afterwards the flare path at Bone airfield was sighted. Flight Sergeant Aaron summoned his failing strength to direct the bomb aimer in the hazardous task of landing the damaged aircraft in the darkness with undercarriage retracted. Four attempts were made under his direction; at the fifth attempt Flight Sergeant Aaron was so near to collapsing that he had to be restrained by the crew and the landing was completed by the bomb aimer. Nine hours after landing, Flight Sergeant Aaron died from exhaustion. Had he been content, when grievously wounded, to lie still and conserve his failing strength, he would probably have recovered, but he saw it as his duty to exert himself to the utmost, if necessary with his last breath, to ensure that his aircraft and crew did not fall into enemy hands. In appalling conditions he showed the greatest qualities of courage, determination and leadership, and, though wounded and dying, he set an example of devotion to duty which has seldom been equalled and never surpassed.

Festwerfer · Post by **Festwerfer** » Mon 12 Jan, 2009 6:46 pm

Thanks for the replies its good to see Im not the only one with feelings on this subject. As I mentioned I have displayed at the Yorkshire Air Museum on many occasions and during the course I have come across many Bomber Command Veterans, to a man they have always been humble quiet spoken men but with one goal that their deeds and those of the fallen should not be forgotten it is bad enough that they did not receive a campaign medal but the fact that their efforts are now being erased from history leaves me saddened and angry. I don't intened to leave it at this either I am putting my words in to action and see if I can get the museum to improve this display.

sundowner · Post by **sundowner** » Mon 12 Jan, 2009 8:52 pm

Festwerfer wrote: Thanks for the replies its good to see Im not the only one with feelings on this subject. As I mentioned I have displayed at the Yorkshire Air Museum on many occasions and during the course I have come across many Bomber Command Veterans, to a man they have always been humble quiet spoken men but with one goal that their deeds and those of the fallen should not be forgotten it is bad enough that they did not receive a campaign medal but the fact that their efforts are now being erased from history leaves me saddened and angry. I don't intened to leave it at this either I am putting my words in to action and see if I can get the museum to improve this display. Hi There Feswerfer i agree with every thing you say its as though the powers that be dont want the children of today to learn about wars or any thing else that might upset them.Thats how i see it anyway, the museum is geared with children in mind not a bad thing but you cant spend your life with your head in the sand they have to be told what has happened in the past. I might have got the wrong end of the stick but its how it seems to me.Just a thought there is a stuffed tiger down stairs when i last saw it there was a foot note telling you it had been a man eater no foot note now could it be they dont want the children to know that the big pussey cat killed people?

Festwerfer · Post by **Festwerfer** » Mon 12 Jan, 2009 9:12 pm

Sadly this is true, look on the side of any war memorial and you should find the words LEST WE FORGET that means to forget means we are doomed to repeat history.

Si · Post by Si » Tue 13 Jan, 2009 9:07 am

Very true, Festwerfer.As a model maker, have you built Aaron's Stirling?

sundowner · Post by **sundowner** » Tue 13 Jan, 2009 9:49 am

Festwerfer wrote: Sadly this is true, look on the side of any war memorial and you should find the words LEST WE FORGET that means to forget means we are doomed to repeat history. I have just had a thought his display should be at the entrance to the museum it should have a foot note saying it because of this man and thousands of people him like him that you can walk into this museum and anywere else in Britain knowing it will be safe to do so.