RAF Brize Norton News

Last weekend, Number 47 Squadron celebrated the 100th Birthday of Warrant Officer Albert ‘Foo’ Howard DFC - a No. 47 Squadron navigator.

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Foo flew Beaufighters and Mosquitoes in North Africa and the Far East during the Second World War. Joining No. 47 Squadron in 1943, Foo saw action across the Eastern Mediterranean, including bomber escorts and numerous naval escort and torpedo attack missions. Foo said:

“In the desert, we’d escort a squadron of American Mitchell bombers and tell them they were escorting us - one of their aeroplanes had more guns than all ours put together!”

Warrant Officer Albert Howard DFC
Number 47 Squadron Navigator

Naval missions took a heavy toll on No. 47 Squadron however, with Foo recalling:

“We lost a hell of a lot - in Libya, the CO was a pilot officer as we’d lost them all.”

Foo earned his DFC during the India and Burma campaign:

“We covered the Army crossing the Irrawaddy, where the enemy were firmly entrenched on the other side. We attacked well behind enemy lines, dropping fireworks such that they thought they were surrounded. It sounds silly, but it worked.”

It was an absolute honour for members of No. 47 Squadron to meet and reminisce with one of our own, especially at this time of Remembrance with someone who remembers first-hand. Foo embodies the enduring spirit and character shown by 47’s personnel throughout its history - as well as reminding us all to be proud of our history, yet humble in our deeds.

"So, why ‘Foo’…? We’ll ‘Fou’ is French for ‘fool’ or ‘stupid’ and there was always something stupid going on - and I was always there! The Canadians gave me the nickname in training and it stuck!”

A true gentleman - Happy Birthday Foo - here’s to many more! Sans Peur.

 

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