“Owe Paddy so many thanks”
In 1940, the German Luftwaffe wanted to bring the British to their knees with massive air raids and thus pave the way for an invasion. Pilots like John “Paddy” Hemingway are to thank for the fact that this does not succeed. The World War II veteran is now dying of old age. At the age of 105, the last surviving British pilot of the Battle of Britain in the Second World War has died. John “Paddy” Hemingway passed away “peacefully” on Monday, the British Air Force said. His death was “the end of an era”. Prince William, heir to the throne, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to the achievements of the World War II pilot.This perseverance and Churchill's tenacity significantly determined the further course of the war. In 1940, Hemingway was one of the Royal Air Force pilots who defended Great Britain against massive attacks by the German Luftwaffe during the so-called Battle of Britain. In dramatic battles, he had to eject twice from his fighter planes. Once he landed in the sea, another time in marshland. had made. The “courage and determination” of Hemingway and all the other British Air Force pilots helped to end the Second World War, the Prime Minister added. Their sense of duty had “secured our freedom and we will never forget them”. Born in Dublin in 1919, Hemingway was later decorated for his courageous service during the Second World War. Ireland was still part of the United Kingdom at the time. “We owe Paddy and his generation so much thanks for the freedoms we have today,” said Prince William. “Their courage and sacrifice will always be remembered.” Prime Minister Starmer explained that Hemingway never saw himself as a “hero” and described himself as the “lucky Irishman” who simply did his job. The “courage and determination” of Hemingway and all the other British Air Force pilots had helped to end the Second World War, the Prime Minister added. Their sense of duty had “secured our freedom and we will never forget them”.
John Hemingway (RAF officer)
Group Captain John Allman Hemingway, DFC, AE (July 17, 1919 - March 17, 2025), known as Paddy Hemingway, was an Irish fighter pilot who served in the Royal Air Force during World War II in the Battle of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, the Allied invasion of Italy and the Normandy invasion. He was shot down four times during the war. Hemingway was the last surviving airman of the Battle of Britain. Hemingway was accepted for service in the Royal Air Force and received a short-term commission on March 7, 1938. In January 1939, Hemingway began his training in Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. On March 7, 1939, he was appointed Pilot Officer. In early 1940, after the outbreak of World War II, he flew Hurricanes with No. 85 Squadron of the RAF in France and destroyed a Heinkel He 111 on May 10. The following day, Hemingway destroyed a Do 17 and had to land near Maastricht after his aircraft was damaged. On May 15, the British Army took him to Lille-Seclin and he returned to England two days later. During the Battle of Dunkirk, he flew support missions over the English Channel. Hemingway first served in England with No. 253 Squadron of the RAF, before he was transferred to the British Army on June 15, 1940. returned to No. 85 Squadron. Hemingway fought in the Battle of Britain, which raged from July to October 1940. His Hurricane was damaged over the Thames Estuary on August 18, and he was forced to parachute out. On August 26, he was shot down again over Eastchurch, making Hemingway the 85th Squadron's first official combat casualty over Britain. Five days later he damaged a Bf 109, was promoted to Flying Officer on September 3, 1940, and had to make an emergency landing near Church Fenton on September 22 due to bad weather. In 1941, the 85th Squadron switched to Havoc II night fighters. Hemingway was flying one of these aircraft on May 13, 1941, when the instruments failed in bad weather. He bailed out at low altitude and tried to avoid the tail, which made this difficult. His right hand hit the tail and broke two fingers. He was able to pull the ripcord with his other hand, but the parachute did not open fully. His fall was stopped by a tree, and he landed in a pile of garbage. He survived with ankle injuries. He was subsequently mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Exhausted, Hemingway was assigned to light duties for several months. On July 7, 1941, he began his service with Flight No. 1452 of the RAF at West Malling. On January 1, 1944, he was temporarily appointed squadron leader. During the invasion of Normandy, he served as an air traffic controller. From April to December 1945, he commanded the 43rd Squadron of the RAF and flew Spitfires; the squadron was in action in Italy and Hemingway was shot down a fourth time. After the end of the Second World War, Hemingway remained in the RAF and was posted to the Middle East. On January 23, 1946, he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and on March 6, 1946, he was made a wartime squadron leader. On July 15, 1948, Hemingway was promoted to squadron leader and on July 1, 1954, to squadron commander. Hemingway later served as Station Commander of RAF Leconfield, was a staff officer with NATO in France and eventually served in the Air Ministry. He was promoted to Group Captain on January 1, 1969, and retired on September 12.
