P2204 PH-K

A Fairey Battle of No. 12 Squadron, coded PH-K, flown by Flying Officer Donald Garland against the German-held bridge over the Albert Canal at Veldwezelt on 12 May 1940. Pressing the low-level attack through intense anti-aircraft fire, Garland’s section damaged the bridge, but his Battle was shot down and all three of the crew were killed. Garland and his navigator, Sergeant Thomas Gray, were each awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross — the first VCs of the war to the Royal Air Force, and a rare instance of two awarded within a single crew.