GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
H.M.S. Emperor - the Aegean and Greece - D.S.C.
Following “Dragoon”, Fell was quickly back in action in Hellcats in the Aegean, not least over a three day period in October. By way of example, he led force in a strike against enemy shipping in harbour at the northern end of Khios; so, too, against caiques off Kos on 10 October 1944 - five of them were sunk.
However, as verified by official reports, Fell carried out his most notable attack on the following day, ‘the most destructively successful day that Emperor’s aircraft have had since the ship was commissioned’:‘At 1100 hours Lieutenant-Commander Fell lead a force of 12 fighter bombers to attack the targets reported by Lieutenant Devitt. All bombs were dropped accurately into the middle of dense concentration of about 30 caiques and small craft at Khalkis, but results could not be assessed owing to the smoke. Two large landing craft were also strafed four times and left stopped, one E- Boat was blown up and another sunk.’
Later that day, Fell carried out strikes against trains moving between Larisa and Katerini; three of them ‘blew up’. He was awarded the D.S.C.
Post-war - King’s Commendation
Remaining in the Fleet Air Arm after the War, Fell added a King’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air to his accolades for experimental and other work at the Empire Flying School (London Gazette 1 January 1947, refers). The recommendation states:
‘This Naval officer holds the appointment of tutor. He has at all times displayed outstanding qualities of leadership and enthusiasm for flying which, coupled with the highest standard of flying ability, have gone far to enhance the reputation of the Service at the Empire Flying School. Lieutenant-Commander Fell’s ability and keenness for his flying duties, which are often of an experimental nature, and in a wide variety of aircraft, have set a fine example to all.’
H.M.A.S. Sydney - Sea Furies - Korea - Bar to D.S.C.
Advanced to Lieutenant-Commander in February 1949, a further stint of active service ensued aboard the carrier H.M.A.S. Sydney off Korea, where once again - in the period September 1951 to January 1952 - he acted as an Air Group Commander.
As verified by official reports from the same period, he regularly flew ‘milk runs’ against targets on the west coast and, in fact, led Sydney’s very first operation - a strike with six Sea Furies and five Fireflies flown on 5 October 1951. By the 10th, Sydney’s aircraft had dropped a total 152 500lb. bombs, and fired 1076 rockets and 47,135 rounds of 20mm. ammunition. Nor were such sorties flown without opposition, Fell’s Sea Fury taking two hits in its starboard wing-root on the 10th, and three further hits during the course of operations on the 10th.
Fell’s targets varied from enemy troop movements to shipping and junks, a memorable strike being carried out against the latter on 21 October, when six of them - lying in readiness to invade the island of Taehwa - were taken taken out on the beaches of the enemy mainland coast.
In one attack undertaken by Sydney’s Fireflies on a railway bridge near Chaeryong, Sub. Lieutenant N. D. MacMillan was downed by flak and made a skilful crash landing in a field three miles from the target in enemy territory. He and his Observer were not injured but their position was ‘far from pleasant’. With the Carriers in Korea continues:
‘It was extremely doubtful if Sydney’s helicopter could reach them and get clear of enemy territory before nightfall; but Captain Harries decided to make the attempt - a decision ‘received with enthusiasm’ by the American crew. Aviation Device Chief A. K. Bobbit, U.S. N., and Aviation Technician’s Mate C. C. Gooding, U.S.N. This welcome news was convened to MacMillan by Lieutenant-Commander Fell, who in flying low over him to tell him that the helicopter was on its way, was hit by flak, but succeeded in reaching Kimpo airfield ... ‘
Following Fell’s gallant message-delivery sortie, the Sydney’s helicopter carried out a remarkable rescue mission, one of the American gunners accounting for two enemy troops who closed to 15 yards as MacMillan and his Observer leapt aboard.
As already mentioned, Fell’s Sea Fury returned to Sydney - or Kimpo airfield - with flak or small arms damage on numerous occasions, the second part of his tour in late October 1951 including a bullet hole in the leading edge of his rudder-fin on the 19th, and flak damaged controls on the 25th; in the following month his Sea Fury was again listed as damaged, this time being holed in the port mainplane.
Tour-expired, he was awarded a Bar to his D.S.C., which distinction he received at a Buckingham Palace investiture held on 24 March 1953.
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