Patrick Huskinson

Air Commodore Patrick Huskinson, (17 March 1897 – 24 November 1966) was an officer of the Royal Air Force (RAF), who served during the First and Second World Wars. He began his military career in the Royal Flying Corps as a fighter ace, but later switched to bombers. He became well enough versed in armaments that he was appointed Director of Armament Production by Winston Churchill at the start of the Second World War. After being invalided out of the RAF for blindness, he continued to serve as President of the Air Armaments Board and was responsible for designing ever larger bombs for the bombardment of Germany. Eventually, he designed Blockbuster bombs as large as ten tons.

Early life Patrick Huskinson was born the son of Colonel C. J. Huskinson, who commanded the local Territorial Army Regiment. The younger Huskinson attended Harrow School before entering the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, as a Gentleman Cadet. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the Sherwood Foresters.

First World War After his commissioning as a second lieutenant on 20 October 1915, Huskinson was seconded from the Sherwood Foresters to aviation training, which included a Ground Gunnery School. Upon completion of training, he was appointed Flying Officer in the Royal Flying Corps on 21 March 1916. The following month, he began piloting a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c for No. 2 Squadron. Shortly thereafter, he won the Military Cross for his determined prosecution of a hazardous bombing mission during the Battle of the Somme; it was gazetted on 27 July 1916. On 19 December 1916, he was appointed a Flight Commander and promoted to temporary captain.

On 1 April 1918, coincident with the establishment of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Huskinson was confirmed as captain. Once again, he was withdrawn from battle; on 7 May 1918, he became an instructor at the Central Flying School. The new post carried with it the grade of major. He served out the rest of the war in this assignment, being variously an acting or a temporary major. Huskinson married Ada Marie Dennehy; they honeymooned in the South of France.

After some inconsequential assignments, Huskinson attended Armament and Gunnery School beginning 23 February 1923. On 19 May 1924, he took up duties as armament officer, HQ 10 Group; on 20 October 1924, he moved to the same job for Coastal Area. On 1 January 1925, he was promoted to squadron leader. Later in 1925, on 21 September, he began a four-and-a-half-year stint on the staff of the Directorate of Training; he was responsible for setting up firing and bombing ranges.

Upon his return to Britain, Huskinson held a couple of armament officer positions beginning 1 April 1933, followed by command of a couple of air stations. On 1 July 1937, he was raised to group captain. On 14 March 1938, he became the RAF representative on the Ordnance Committee. In 1940, he also married Molly, his second wife.

On 15 April 1941, Huskinson was blinded by the blast of a German bomb dropped during The Blitz. As a result, he was invalided out of the RAF on 25 January 1942. However, his expertise and talents were still needed; he was instantly appointed as President of the Air Armaments Board He also developed rockets, and improved gun turrets on bombers. He also arranged full-scale rehearsals for D-Day. He continued in this post through 1945.

Bar to Military Cross (MC)

Lt. (T./Capt.) Patrick Huskinson, M.C., Notts. and Derby. R., and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a period of six months he has destroyed two hostile machines and driven down seven others out of control. He has also, during an attack, carried out a ground patrol, flying at a very low altitude, during which he engaged, a company of the enemy with machine-gun fire. On a later occasion, when firing at roads from a low altitude, he received a direct hit from a shell, which carried away a portion of his machine. He, however, regained control, and, landing upside down-in a shell hole full of water, was suspended in the water until nearly drowned. After his rescue, he remained all day working under shell fire until he had salved the engine. He has at all times proved himself to be a very gallant, keen and able pilot.