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Air Vice Marshal J R Hallings-Pott (26043)


John Robert                  b: 12 Apr 1907                     r: 13 Jul 1957                       d: 26 Jan 1976

CBE - 1 Jan 1946, DSO - 20 Feb 1940, AFC - xx xxx xxxx, MiD - 20 Feb 1940, MiD - 14 Jun 1945.

Plt Off: 17 Dec 1927, Fg Off: 17 Jun 1929, Flt Lt: 1 Apr 1933, Sqn Ldr: 1 Aug 1937, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Jun 1940, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Jun 1942, 1 Dec 1943, Act A/Cdre: 6 Apr 1945, Gp Capt (WS): 6 Oct 1945, Gp Capt: 1 Oct 1946, Act AVM (pd): 9 Nov 1953 - 14 Jul 1955, Act AVM (unpd): 14 Jul - 25 Nov 1955, AVM: Retained.

14 Jan 1926:            Flight Cadet, 'A' Sqn, RAF College.

17 Dec 1927:           Pilot, No 111 Sqn.

 1 May 1929:           QFI, No 3 FTS.

27 Mar 1930:          QFI, No 4 FTS.

21 Jan 1935:            Flight Commander, No 32 Sqn.

 3 Sep 1935:            Flight Commander, No 74 Sqn.

 3 Aug 1936:           Posted to Home Establishment and embarked on HMT Neuralia

10 Aug 1936:           Disembarked at Southampton and reposted to No 74 Sqn, RAF Hornchurch

 1 Sep 1936:            Officer Commanding/Adjutant/Flying Instructor, No 504 Sqn AuxAF

 4 Jun 1937:             Adjutant/Flying Instructor, No 504 Sqn AuxAF

15 Oct 1937:           Air Staff, HQ No 6 (Auxiliary) Group.

16 Jan 1939:            Supernumerary, No 25 Sqn. (Gladiator I/Blenheim If)

30 Jan 1939:            Officer Commanding, No 25 Sqn. (Gladiator I/Blenheim If)

1 Jun 1940:              CFI, No 7 OTU. (Hawarden)

15 Jun 1940:            Officer Commanding, No 7 OTU. (Hawarden)

xx Jun 1940:             CFI, No 7 OTU. (Hawarden)

21 Oct 1940:           CFI, No 58 OTU

22 Oct 1940:           CFI, No 58 OTU/Officer Commanding, RAF Grangemouth

10 Nov 1940:          CFI, No 57 OTU. (Hawarden)

xx Jul 1941:             ?

xx Dec 1941:           Officer Commanding, RAF Northolt

xx Jul 1942:             Officer Commanding, RAF Biggin Hill

21 Dec 1942:          Supernumerary, No 322 Wing

xx Jan 1943:            ?

 6 Apr 1945:           SASO, HQ Balkan Air Force.

 1 Jul 1945:             SASO, HQ Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Foce.

xx xxx xxxx:            Officer Commanding, RAF Lyneham

28 Jul 1947:            Deputy Director of Operations (Air Defence).

17 Oct 1949:          Deputy Chief of Staff (Air Defence), HQ Allied Forces Western Europe

xx xxx xxxx:            Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (Air Defence), HQ Allied Air Forces Central Europe.

xx xxx 1953:           Attended Imperial Defence College.

 9 Nov 1953:          AOC, No 2 Group.

16 Jan 1956:           AOC, No 62 (Southern) Group.

Originally entered the  RAF as a Flight Cadet at Cranwell under the name, J R H Pott in 1926, which he represented at Athletics, Cricket, Rugby and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. 

In 1940, he was awarded one of the first three DSOs awarded in World War Two.  This was awarded for a dusk raid against Borkum, a German seaplane base, whilst in command of 25 Squadron.

Citation for the award of the Air Force Cross

"HALLINGS-POTT, A/G/C (26043, Royal Air Force) - No 57 Operational Training Unit.

The success of No 57 Operational Training Unit is very largely due to the very exceptional work performed by Group Captain Hallings-Pott, firstly as wing commander in charge of training and later as commanding officer.  His personal example both in the air and on the ground has proved a valuable incentive to the instructors and pupils alike.  On one occasion, while employed as officer in charge of flying, this officer “scrambled” and shot down a German aircraft which passed over within a few minutes of sighting, and came in full view from the aerodrome.  This was a magnificent display for the pupils."

(Source - Air 2/8901)

This page was last updated on 05/01/24

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