Patrick Huskinson facts for kids

Air Commodore Patrick Huskinson (born March 17, 1897 – died November 24, 1966) was a brave officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He served during both the First and Second World Wars. He started his military journey as a pilot, flying planes in the Royal Flying Corps. He was even known as a "flying ace" because he shot down many enemy aircraft.

Later, he became an expert in weapons and bombs. At the start of the Second World War, Winston Churchill chose him to lead the production of weapons. Even after he lost his eyesight due to a bomb blast, he continued to work. He helped design very large bombs, some weighing as much as ten tons, to be used against Germany.

Early Life and Training

Patrick Huskinson was born in Farndon, England. His father was a military leader. Patrick went to Harrow School, a famous school, and then to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. This is where people train to become army officers. After his training, he joined a group called the Sherwood Foresters.

First World War Adventures

Patrick Huskinson became a second lieutenant on October 20, 1915. Soon after, he began training to fly planes. He joined the Royal Flying Corps as a pilot on March 21, 1916.

Flying Missions and Awards

In April 1916, he started flying a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c plane for No. 2 Squadron. He quickly showed great courage. During the Battle of the Somme, he flew a dangerous bombing mission alone. He flew very low to drop his bombs on a train and a station, even though he was under constant enemy fire. His plane was badly damaged, but he managed to fly back safely. For this brave act, he received the Military Cross award on July 27, 1916.

On December 19, 1916, he was promoted to temporary captain. In early 1917, he trained at a special flying school. He then returned to the Western Front as a pilot for 19 Squadron, flying a Spad VII. Between October and December 1917, he shot down seven enemy planes. He then switched to a Sopwith Dolphin and shot down four more planes in March 1918. In total, he destroyed three German planes and forced eight others to crash out of control.

Becoming an Instructor

On April 1, 1918, the Royal Air Force (RAF) was created, and Huskinson became a permanent captain. He was then asked to become an instructor at the Central Flying School on May 7, 1918. This new job came with the rank of major. He spent the rest of the war teaching other pilots.

Between the Wars

After the First World War, Patrick Huskinson continued his career in the RAF. On August 1, 1919, he became a permanent captain in the RAF.

Marriage and Special Training

On March 10, 1921, Huskinson married Ada Marie Dennehy. They went to the South of France for their honeymoon.

He later attended a special school for weapons and gunnery in 1923. He became an armament officer, which meant he was in charge of weapons. He was promoted to squadron leader on January 1, 1925. For four and a half years, he helped set up firing and bombing ranges for the RAF.

Overseas and Promotions

After leading No. 41 Squadron RAF, Huskinson went to Iraq in 1931 to work on weapons for the command there. On January 1, 1933, he was promoted again to wing commander.

When he returned to Britain, he continued to work with armaments. He also commanded a couple of air stations. On July 1, 1937, he became a group captain. In 1938, he joined the Ordnance Committee, which decided on military weapons.

Second World War Contributions

In early 1940, Winston Churchill personally appointed Huskinson as the Director of Armament Production. This meant he was in charge of making all the weapons for the RAF. In 1940, he also married his second wife, Molly. On September 20, 1940, he was given the temporary rank of Air Commodore.

Overcoming Blindness

On April 15, 1941, during a German bombing raid called The Blitz, Huskinson was blinded by a bomb blast. Because of this, he had to leave the RAF on January 25, 1942. However, his skills were still very much needed. He was immediately appointed as the President of the Air Armaments Board. He even had an office in his home with assistants to help him.

Huskinson learned to adapt to his blindness. He used a special method, like Braille, to "read" blueprints and drawings for new weapons. As the war continued, he was responsible for creating bigger and bigger bombs. These included massive bombs weighing 12,000 and 22,000 pounds! To make sure these huge bombs could be transported, he designed them in sections. This way, they could be easily put together right before being loaded onto planes. He also helped develop rockets and improved the gun turrets on bombers. He even helped plan the D-Day landings. He continued this important work until 1945.

After the War

After the war ended, Patrick Huskinson became the Chairman of a printing company in London. On October 9, 1945, the United States awarded him the Legion of Merit for his work on the large bombs they also used. His own government also gave him the Order of the British Empire. He wrote a book about his experiences during the Second World War called Vision Ahead, which was published in 1949.

Patrick Huskinson passed away at his home in London on November 24, 1966.

Honours and Awards

Patrick Huskinson received several important awards for his bravery and service:

• Military Cross (MC): He earned this for his amazing courage and skill during a bombing mission in the First World War. He flew alone at a very low height to attack enemy targets, even though his plane was heavily damaged by enemy fire.
• Bar to Military Cross (MC): He received a "Bar" (which means a second award) to his Military Cross for continued bravery. He destroyed more enemy planes and once, after his plane was hit and crashed, he worked all day under enemy fire to save the engine.
• Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE): This award recognized his important contributions to the country.
• Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States): The United States gave him this award for his work in designing large bombs that helped their war efforts.