SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE,
27 OCTOBER 1944.
Air Ministry.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following award.
Distinguished Flying Cross.
Acting Warrant Officer Mark AZOUZ (1398796), R.A.F.V.R., 196 Squadron.
One night in August, 1944, this Warrant Officer was detailed for an operation over the Brest Peninsula. In the run-in to the target the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The propeller and reduction gear of the starboard outer engine were shot away. The ailerons were damaged and other parts of the aircraft were struck by fragments of shell. Despite this, Warrant Officer Azouz successfully completed his mission and returned safely to base. This pilot has set a fine example of gallantry and devotion to duty.
** Note **
– This mission was Operation ‘HORACE 8’ and was flown, in Stirling Mk IV LK557, for SOE (Special Operations Executive) in the night 2/3 August 1944. The crew was: W/O M AZOUZ (Pilot), F/Sgt D G GREENWELL (Navigator), F/Sgt L HARTMAN (Air Bomber), F/Sgt J McQUIGGAN (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner), Sgt H A TURNER (Flight Engineer) & F/Sgt P H BODE (Air Gunner). The operation is detailed in an other Part of this website:
The link is,
38 GROUP SQUADRONS SECRET MISSIONS, Jedburghs (SOE) and SAS in Brittany, France – Examples.
– Warrant Officer AZOUZ failed to return, on 21 September 1944, from Operation ‘Market V’.
His Stirling ‘LJ810’ was raked by enemy fire, and so severely that all the crew except the pilot, Warrant Officer AZOUZ, and the tail gunner, Flight Sergeant Peter Harold BODE, abandoned the aircraft which was savaged by flak and more fighters until it was brought down.
A special thank to Steve SMITH