DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS PETER CUNDY
GRAHAM PITCHFORK REFLECTS ON THE GALLANTRY OF COASTAL COMMAND’S PETER CUNDY
Peter Cundy was one of the RAF’s leading anti-submarine pilots.
After a few months serving on 53 Squadron flying Blenheims in Coastal Command he joined 120 Squadron, which was re-forming with the then new long-range US-built Liberator in June 1941. On January 11, 1942 he was on patrol in the Bay of Biscay when he spotted a twin-engined seaplane. He manoeuvred his heavy aircraft to allow his gunners to engage the enemy, which escaped into cloud with one engine on fire. Shortly after this action a U-boat, U-373, was sighted refuelling alongside a large tanker.
Cundy immediately attacked them with depth charges and cannon fire. The submarine dived leaving a large patch of oil on the surface. He then strafed the tanker with cannon fire. A second enemy seaplane arrived on the scene and the Liberator’s gunners opened fire, driving it away with smoke pouring from it. Cundy was awarded an immediate DFC after this eventful patrol.
In November 1942 he and his crew transferred to 224 Squadron. On February 26, 1943 they were again on patrol in the Bay of Biscay when they spotted a surfaced submarine an…
