Hurricane Mk I, 284-J, N° 3 Squadron, Dagahbur, Ethiopia, East Africa, March 1941.
Lt. Robert H.C. 'Rob' Kershaw piloted this Hurricane during the dramatic rescue of Capt. 'Jack' Frost, on the 15th March 1941. For this action he received an immediate award of the D.S.O. This was the first D.S.O. to be awarded to the SAAF during World War II. At 15:40 on the afternoon of the 15th, six Hurricane's from N° 3 squadron set off on a ground attack mission against the aerodrome at Diredawa. They were split into two flights, with Capt. Frost, Capt. Harvey and Lt. Kershaw in the first flight, with the second flight commanded by Capt. Theron, including Lt. Morley and Lt. Venter. This second flight was to provide top-cover against enemy fighters, whilst the first flight under Capt. Frost, attacked aircraft on the ground. On reaching the aerodrome, there were no enemy fighters in the air, so they immediately began their ground attacks. Pulling out of a low dive, Capt. Harvey's Hurricane 294-X, was hit by ground fire and seen to burst into flames and crash. The pilots who witnessed, this concluding that he must have been killed impacting the ground. Capt. Frost, who was flying in Hurricane 280-W, was also hit by ground fire, and he was struck in the Glycol cooling system. His temperature gauge was in the red, and with his engine smoking heavily, he decided to land on an abandoned second satellite aerodrome just north of Diredawa. After landing he attempted to set the aircraft alight, to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. Lt. Kershaw had seen the smoking aircraft land and recognised it as that of his flight commander. With the Italian artillery shelling the aerodrome from the hills above, Lt. Kershaw decided to land and pick up Capt. Frost. After landing he taxied over to the crashed Hurricane, undid his harness and shouted for his Flight Commander to jump in. With both of them in the cramped cockpit, Frost who was sitting on Kershaw's lap, was able to fly the aircraft, with Kershaw operating the flaps and landing gear. After an agonising 45 minute flight, they safely landed back at their aerodrome in Dagahbur.
AHQEA had recommended Lt. Kershaw for an immediate award of the Victoria Cross, he however, received the Distinguished Service Order. The citation for the DSO read as follows: 'N°. 47841 Lieut. Robert Harold Carlisle Kershaw. On March 15th this officer was in a flight of Hurricanes engaged in attack on Diredawa Drome. During the course of attack his flight commander, Capt. E. Frost was forced to land on Diredawa Satellite Drome following shot through glycol system. Lieut. Kershaw went to the rescue of Capt. Frost. He landed his aircraft on the enemy drome in face of and under heavy artillery fire. Picked up Capt. Frost who flew the Hurricane whilst sitting on Lieut. Kershaw's lap. In this action Lieut. Kershaw showed the greatest personal courage and determination, initiative and devotion to duty, besides saving his Flight Commander.'
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Brent Best
