| Edward Barnes Sismore | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Ted |
| Born | 23 June 1921 Kettering, Northamptonshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | c. 1939 – 1976 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Commands held | OC No. 29 Squadron RAF OC RAF Bruggen OC Central Recon Establishment Commandant Royal Observer Corps 1971 - 1973 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross and two bars Air Force Cross Order of Dannebrog. Air Efficiency Award |
Air Commodore Edward Barnes Sismore DSO DFC and two bars AFC (born 23 June 1921) was a British air navigator during World War II and a fighter pilot and a senior Royal Air Force officer in the post-war years and the thirteenth Commandant Royal Observer Corps between 1971 and 1973.[1]
During his time as Commandant ROC, Sismore travelling overseas to France, Germany and Scandinavian countries, visiting similar defence warning organisations. He established a close relationship with the Luftmeldekorpsett Danish Air Reporting Corps, a unit of the country's Home Guard.[2]
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Sismore started his service as an airman in the RAFVR. However, on 29 August 1942 Flight Sergeant Sismore was given an emergency commission as a General Duties Branch Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.[3] Towards the end of the war, on 1 February 1945, he was awarded a permanent commission as a Flying Officer.[4]
In February 1944 Sismore was involved in the planning of Operation Jericho but was prevented from flying with AVM Embry because of their knowledge of the plans. Operation Jerico was a low-level bombing raid on Amiens Prison in German-occupied France. The object of the raid was to free French Resistance and political prisoners who were facing imminent execution.[5] He also participated in the successful raid in late October 1944 against the Gestapo HQ in Århus, Jutland, Denmark as navigator to Reynolds.
Notably in March 1945, whilst serving on No. 140 Wing, Sismore, by then an acting Squadron Leader took part in Operation Carthage, a precision raid on the Gestapo headquarters in Copenhagen Denmark. Sismore was the lead navigator in the Mosquito Mk.VI flown by the raid leader (Group Captain R N Bateson).[6] The raid, while not being completely successful with a large number of civilian casualties, succeeded in destroying the Gestapo HQ allowing some prisoners to escape. Sismore was awarded a bar to his DFC and was also honoured with the Danish Order of Dannebrog, Degree of Knight.
Sismore remained in the RAF after the War, qualifying as a fighter pilot and occupying several senior officer posts. In 1947 Squadron Leader Sismore and former Dambuster pilot, Squadron Leader 'Mick' Martin, broke the London to Cape Town flying record, covering the 6,717 miles in only 21 hours and 31 minutes.[7][8] They were subsequently awarded the Royal Aero Club's Britannia Trophy for 1947.[9] From 1953/56 He commanded 29 Fighter Squadron. Sismore was promoted to Group Captain in 1962[10] and during the early/mid 1960s, he served as the Station Commander of RAF Bruggen in Germany.[11] In the late 1960s he was the Senior Air Staff Officer of the RAF's Central Reconnaissance Establishment at RAF Brampton.[12]
On 4 January 1971 on promotion to Air Commodore, Sismore was appointed as Commandant of the Royal Observer Corps taking over from Air Commodore D F Rixson. His final post was as the Director of the Air Defence Team, planning a new UK air defence environment system.
On 24 May 1973 Sismore handed command of the ROC to Air Commodore R K Orrock. He retired from the Royal Air Force on 23 June 1976.[13]
On the 30th January, 1943, two forces of bombers were detailed to attack Berlin,to prevent a radio brodacast by Goering. To reach the German capital necessitated a flight of more than 500 miles, mostly over heavily defended territory.
This was following the attack on the Zeiss works at Jena which was his deepest low level daylight penetration of the war with Wing Commander Reynolds.
As pilot and navigator respectively these officers have taken part in numerous sorties against a wide variety of targets. In October, 1944, they took part in a most successful attack on a vital German target. In this well executed operation, these officers displayed skill and resolution of the highest standard.[14]
"Acting Squadron Leader Edward Barnes SISMORE, D.S.O., D.F.C., (130208), R.A.F.V.R. In March, 1945, Squadron Leader Sismore was the navigator in the leading aircraft of a large formation detailed to attack the Gestapo headquarters at Copenhagen. The operation, necessitating a flight of more than 1,000 miles demanded the highest standard of navigational ability. In this direction, Squadron Leader Sismore's work was outstanding and contributed materially to the success obtained. Again, in April, 1945, this officer flew with great distinction in an attack against a similar target at Odense. This officer, who completed much operational flying, has rendered very valuable service".[15]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by I G Broom |
Station Commander RAF Bruggen c. 1964 – c. 1966 |
Succeeded by C D A Browne |
| Preceded by D F Rixson |
Commandant Royal Observer Corps 1971 – 1973 |
Succeeded by R K Orrock |
| Awards | ||
| Preceded by E M Donaldson |
Recipient of the Royal Aero Club Britannia Trophy (with H B Martin) 1947 |
Succeeded by J Cunningham |