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Brendon E Finucane 'Paddy'

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  • Brendon E Finucane 'Paddy'

    Wing Commander 'Paddy' Finucane, DSO, DSC [2 bars], AFC.

    Brendon was born in Dublin on the 16th of October 1920, he was the eldest child of Thomas and Florence, he was followed by 2 brothers, Ray and Kevin, and then by 2 sisters, Monica and Claire.
    He attended Synge Street and O Connells schools before the family emigrated to Richmond in Surry in 1936, where he became intrested in flying.
    He joined the RAF in May 1938 and at age 19 became operational, flying Spitfires with 65 squadron, in July of 1940. He shot down his first Bf 109 on the 12th of August 1940, getting his second, also a Bf 109, the following day.
    Following the Battle of Britain, he served with 452 squadron RAAF, as 'A' flight commander, and scored the squadron's first kill, another Bf 109,
    'Paddy' Finucane went on to become the youngest ever wing commander in the RAF.
    On the 15th of July while taking part in a sweep of the French coast,he was hit by anti-aircraft fire and his aircraft crashed into the sea.
    His score stood at 32 kills, which was the second highest RAF score for the Second World War.

    A book about this fighter pilot, written by Doug Stokes is currently unavailable
    "We will hold out until our last bullet is spent. Could do with some whiskey"
    Radio transmission, siege of Jadotville DR Congo. September 1961.
    Illegitimi non carborundum

  • #2
    You can get it here, used though.


    Sounds like a good read.

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    • #3
      Good post Turkey.

      Has anyone else any information about famous Irish Soldiers/Airmen/Sailors who's achievements are unknown in their home country?

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      • #4
        Postscript

        From Franks site, he got it from the indo.


        Fighter pilot ace remembered in unique ceremony

        AN Irish fighter pilot with the RAF who shot down 32 planes in the Second World War was officially honoured yesterday for the first time in his own country in a unique ceremony at Baldonnel airbase.

        Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane from Rathmines, was the highest scoring pilot in the RAF when he crashed into the English Channel at the age of 21 in 1942. He was signally honoured with the Distinguished Service Order and a triple Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar.

        At a ceremony in Baldonnel a specially commissioned rose was planted in the memorial garden beside the garrison church. It was attended by members of the RAF Association and the Air Corps.

        "The Air Corps is very pleased to be able to accede to the request of the RAF Association and honour this exceptional airman, who first flew here at Baldonnel in an airshow in 1932," said Brig-Gen Ralph James, OC of the Air Corps.

        Finucane attended O'Connell's School, where one of his classmates was the future GAA commentator Micheal O'Hehir.

        He joined the RAF at 17 when his family moved to England and flew in the Battle of Britain as a Spitfire pilot. He achieved his greatest success with a squadron of Australian pilots and in a 51-day period in 1941, he shot down 17 Messerschmitt 109 fighters.

        He died in 1942 when the engine of his Spitfire was hit and he was forced to ditch in the sea.
        "We will hold out until our last bullet is spent. Could do with some whiskey"
        Radio transmission, siege of Jadotville DR Congo. September 1961.
        Illegitimi non carborundum

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        • #5
          An article on the same Brendan Finucane appeared in An Cosantoir
          recently.
          Which is why I was scratching my head wondering where I'd heard
          the name before, which is when I opened your post...
          Even a photo of his school class with the afore-mentioned
          Micheal O'Hehir...
          "Well, stone me! We've had cocaine, bribery and Arsenal scoring two goals at home. But just when you thought there were truly no surprises left in football, Vinnie Jones turns out to be an international player!" (Jimmy Greaves)!"

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