Tony Snell (RAF officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anthony Noel Snell
DSO
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|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Tony |
| Born | 19 March 1922 Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, UK |
| Died | 4 August 2013 (aged 91) British Virgin Islands |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Flight Lieutenant |
| Service number | 119146 |
| Unit | No. 242 Squadron RAF No. 504 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War II: |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order |
Anthony Noel Snell (born March 19, 1922 – died August 4, 2013) was a brave British pilot in the RAF during World War II. He was known for his amazing escapes from enemy capture. He flew planes in North Africa and was shot down in Sicily. Even after being caught, he managed to get away not once, but twice! His incredible courage earned him a special award called the Distinguished Service Order.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the RAF
Anthony Noel Snell, often called Tony, was born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, in 1922. He went to school at Cheltenham College. When he was 18, in November 1940, he decided to join the RAF. He traveled to the United States to train as a pilot. This training was part of a special program called the "Arnold" Scheme.
Flying in World War II
After his training, Tony Snell returned to Britain in the summer of 1942. He joined No. 242 Squadron RAF, where he flew fast and famous Spitfire planes.
North Africa Missions
In October 1942, Tony's squadron moved to North Africa. Their job was to provide air cover for the Operation Torch landings. This was a big operation where Allied forces landed in North Africa. For several months, Tony and his squadron flew missions. They helped protect ground troops and attacked enemy targets. This supported the British First Army as they moved towards Tunis.
Shot Down Over Sicily
After the enemy forces in North Africa gave up in May 1943, Tony's squadron moved to Malta. They got ready for Operation Husky, which was the invasion of Sicily. On July 10, 1943, Tony was flying over the Allied beachhead. Suddenly, German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters attacked his plane. His Spitfire was hit, and he had to crash-land in enemy territory.
Tony tried to escape on foot. He first ran into an Italian patrol, then a German one that shot at him. While trying to hide from the Germans, he accidentally hid in a minefield. He slowly and carefully found his way out of the dangerous area. Soon after, he was captured by Germans near an airfield. They thought he was a spy and planned to execute him. Tony made another brave attempt to run away. He managed to escape again but was wounded in his right shoulder.
Incredible Escapes from Capture
Tony Snell was weakened by his shoulder wound and was recaptured. This time, he was able to prove he was an Allied pilot. He received treatment for his injuries and was later moved to a military hospital in Lucca, Italy.
When Italy surrendered in September 1943, the German Army took control of the prison camp. They planned to move the prisoners by train to Germany. While other prisoners distracted the guards, Tony and another officer, Major Peter Lewis, escaped through a small window.
The next morning, they found themselves near Mantua. They walked for six days until they met members of the Italian resistance movement. These brave people helped them hide in a safe house in Modena for almost two months. With the help of the resistance, Tony and Peter slowly made their way to the Swiss border. They finally returned to Britain in November 1944. Tony Snell was given the Distinguished Service Order for his amazing escapes. This was a very rare award to receive just for escaping from the enemy.
After recovering in the hospital, Tony joined No. 504 Squadron RAF. Here, he flew new Gloster Meteor jet fighters. His squadron was sent to Germany after the war ended. Tony stayed there until August 1946, when he left the RAF.
Life After the War
After the war, Tony Snell traveled through Africa. In 1964, he met his future wife, Jackie, in New York. They traveled together across the United States and Mexico. Tony worked in many different creative jobs. He was an actor in films and theatre. He also wrote songs and was an entertainer throughout his life. He even recorded an album called An Englishman Abroad while in New York.
In 1966, Tony and Jackie moved back to the UK. Then they moved to Ibiza, an island in Spain. There, they ran a charter service using a catamaran boat they had sailed there. In 1970, he moved to the British Virgin Islands to start another boat charter company, but it was not successful.
His wife, Jackie, had opened a restaurant called The Last Resort. Sadly, it burned down. The Snells sold everything they had left in Ibiza. They used the money to rebuild the restaurant, and it became a great success. Tony continued to entertain customers at the restaurant until he passed away. He wrote a book about his life called Spitfire Troubadour.
