Group Captain Guy Joseph Charles Hogan

DFC AFC MBIM RAF

Lord Mountbatten addressing my Squadron from my Jeep

L to R: A/C Rowley, Lord Mountbatten, S/L Hogan, F/S Blunt, F/S Moody, W/O Baldwin.

On 15th December 1942 Japanese aircraft attacked Chittagong and were intercepted by No 79 Squadron which shot down three, possibly five Army 99 "Lily" (Kawasaki Ki-48) bombers. Flt Lt Hogan (BN681) with Sgt R.L. North (BN673), Sgt Gray (BN474) and Sgt Waltham were chased by Japanese fighters. North damaged one, but Hogan and Gray had their Hurricanes shot up. Gray's machine was hit 42 times, and Hogan's "X" (see above) crash landed - note the bullet holes in the top of the engine cowling.

"Our 12 aircraft were scrambled and we formed up in fours in line astern, with Jones as Diamond Leader. I was Blue Leader on the port side. At about 6,000 feet we broke through stratus layer cloud into bright sunshine. Just before we reached our height (probably 15,000 feet) we saw nine enemy bombers. There was great excitement and lots of chat. We were in perfect position to attack - up sun and above them. The CO kept asking if anyone could see enemy fighters - no one could. Then he said, "Blue Leader, take your section below the cloud and see if the fighters are there!" I could not believe my ears. If fighters were below cloud, let them stay there, they could do no harm! And here were nine unescorted bombers and the CO wanted me to leave. I pretended not to hear but this was no good as the order was repeated in a most forceful manner. So me and my No.2, a New Zealander named Gray, descended and, as luck would have it, as soon as we broke cloud we were right among a bunch of 01s who set about us in no uncertain manner. Gray was badly hit, and was very shaken. I was chased all around the trees and hills, was hit but managed to get back to Chittagong." - Flt Lt Hogan