TROTTER, Elmer John. Can/R.120945 Flight Sergeant, R.C.A.F., No. 101 Sqn. (immediate)

London Gazette 7/1/44. Sorties 4, Flying hours 29.10.   Pilot .   Air2/5027

On the night of 2nd December, 1943, Flight Sergeant Trotter, a Canadian, was detailed to attack Berlin on his fourth operational sortie, having already attacked Berlin on two previous occasions. On the route out, having experienced difficult weather conditions, he arrived at the target and had just released his bombs when he was severely hit by anti-aircraft fire. The Lancaster was thrown completely out of control and commenced to dive down onto the target. With magnificent coolness and presence of mind, Flight Sergeant Trotter ordered his crew to put on parachutes while he endeavoured to regain control. With expert skill and after loosing considerable height, he managed to do this, only to find that he had scarcely any aileron control and no trimmers. His starboard mainplane had been shot to pieces after the rear spar with three large holes inboard in between the outboard of his starboard engines. His mid-upper turret and compass were also unserviceable. His troubles were not over, however, for when leaving the target area and while trying to gain height, he was attacked by an enemy night fighter which he successfully evaded after receiving further damage to the port outer engine. On his way back to base, he again ran into flak, but avoided being hit and he eventually made a safe landing at base.  Flight Sergeant Trotter's outstanding ability and the magnificent coolness with which he controlled his aircraft undoubtedly save it from destruction, while his superb captaincy in a critical situation inspired his crew with confidence. It is recommended that this N.C.O's splendid courage and determination be recognised by an immediate award of the D.F.M.

8th December, 1943

Remarks by Station Commander.

Flight Sergeant Trotter, on the night in question, showed determination, skill and presence of mind worthy of high praise. Despite the perilous situation in which he was involved due to the very serious damage to his starboard wing required the application of full port aileron to achieve level flight, he demonstrated a capacity for superb captaincy and airmanship by returning through the thickly infested fighter zones and defended areas between Berlin and the enemy coast and thereby undoubtedly saved his crew and much valuable equipment from destruction or from falling into the hands of the enemy. On reaching base, Flight Sergeant Trotter rose to the occasion, refrained from announcing his extremely damaged condition and remained patiently circling the aerodrome until other aircraft had landed safely. Finding that his aircraft became almost uncontrollable with engines throttled back, he calmly made a second attempt which proved successful. Subsequent inspection of the aircraft revealed damage of an outstanding severity and it is barely understandable how the aircraft retained any aerodynamic stability. I recommend that the commendable courage, calmness and presence of mind combined with very skilful airmanship shown by Flight Sergeant Trotter should be recognised by the immediate award of the D.F.M.

Remarks by Editor.

The citation makes no mention of the loss of the Mid Upper Gunner. I presume this would be due to War time censorship as the awards were published in the London Gazette.