Description
Object description
image: A head and shoulder portrait of Learoyd in uniform.
Label
Flight Lieutenant Learoyd (later Wing Commander) was a crew member of No. 49 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command. On 12 August
1940, Flight Lieutenant Roderick Learoyd's No. 49 Squadron Hampden was badly damaged by ground fire when he pressed home a low-level attack
on the Dortmund-Ems canal. The Victoria Cross was awarded for his conduct in this action and for bringing the badly damaged bomber safely
back to base.
This portrait was drawn in the gallery at the top of the Air Ministry in September 1940. During the sitting, a German air raid commenced.
As the bombing grew closer, Learoyd was asked whether he wanted to carry on or go to the dug-out. He got up and threw open the door where
about a hundred-and-twenty bombers were flying overhead. He only made one remark: 'What rotten formation', before sitting back down again
to resume the sitting.
Label
On the night of the 12 August, 1940, this officer was detailed to attack a special objective on the Dortmund-Ems
canal, which he had attacked on a previous occasion and was therefore well aware of the risks entailed. It was necessary to approach from a
direction well known to the enemy, through a lane of specially disposed anti-aircraft defences, and in face of the most intense point blank
fire from guns of all calibres. The reception of the preceding aircraft might well have deterred the stoutest hearts, all being hit and two
lost. Wing Commander Learoyd made his attack at 150 feet, his aircraft being repeatedly hit and large pieces of the main plane torn away.
Almost blinded by the glare of the searchlights at close range he pressed home his attack with the greatest resolution and skill. He
subsequently brought his aircraft home, his landing flaps inoperative and the carriage indicators out of action, waited for dawn in the
vicinity of his aerodrome and then landed without injury to his crew or further damage to the aircraft. The high courage, skill and
determination invariably displayed by this officer in the face of the enemy sets an example unsurpassed. Wing Commander Learoyd was born
at Folkestone, 1913, and educated at Wellington.
History note
War Artists Advisory Committee commission
Inscription
E.H.K. 1940 Sept 7