He was the Aberdeen man who sank a German U-boat, defied being injured more than 70 times, and flew himself and his comrades back to Shetland.
It sounds like a Boy’s Own storyline, yet while there was nothing comical about the ordeal faced by John Alexander Cruickshank on a mission over Norway in 1944, they were highlighted in a Commando-style cartoon strip in the 1980s.
The former Aberdeen Grammar school pupil, who celebrates his 105th birthday today (May 20th), stared death in the face when he flew his Catalina aircraft through a hail of flak.
And, although his first pass was unsuccessful, he brought it around for a second sortie, this time straddling a U-boat and sinking the vessel.
However, the German anti-aircraft fire proved fatally accurate in response, killing the navigator and injuring four others, including both Flight Lieutenant Cruickshank and second pilot, Flight Sergeant Jack Garnett.
The Granite City pilot suffered scores of different injuries while he and his comrades were engaged in sinking the German submarine, and, although they succeeded in their first objective, there was another huge task in trying to return home safely to Shetland.
Beating the odds in desperate circumstances
From a distance of more than 80 years on, it still seems miraculous that Flight Lieutenant Cruickshank was able to survive in the hours which followed.
He was hit in 72 places, and suffered serious lung injuries and 10 penetrating wounds to his lower limbs. Yet refused medical attention until he was sure that the appropriate radio signals had been sent and the aircraft was on course for its home base.
Even at that stage, he eschewed morphine, aware that it would cloud his judgement and potentially jeopardise the rest of the men on board.
Flying at night, it took them five-and-a-half hours to get to Sullom Voe, with Flt Sgt Garnett at the controls and his colleague lapsing in and out of consciousness.
Eventually, though, as another major hurdle came into the equation, he returned to the cockpit and took command of the aircraft.
A safe landing after a night of hell
There was nothing straightforward about ensuring the Catalina’s passage homewards; it had been impacted badly along with the crew members.
But, after deciding that the light and the sea conditions for a water landing were too risky for his inexperienced colleague, Flt Lt Cruickshank kept the craft in the air for as long he could before bringing it down successfully on the water.
It was an astonishing act of bravery, and yet Mr Cruickshank has always shunned the limelight or refused to take any credit for his actions.
As one of his RAF colleagues later recalled, he felt he was one of the lucky ones to survive the conflict, unlike so many of his RAF friends who perished.
Praise for this selfless character
The Press and Journal reported on Saturday September 3 1944 how Flt Lt Cruickshank had become the recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Under the headline “Aberdeen hero wins V.C”, it carried the details of the citation which outlined why he had been given the honour.
This read: “This officer was the captain and pilot of a Catalina flying boat which was recently engaged on an anti-submarine patrol over northern waters.
“When a U-boat was sighted, Flying Officer Cruickshank at once turned to the attack.
“In the face of fierce anti-aircraft fire, he manoeuvred into position and ran in to release his depth charges. Unfortunately they failed to drop.
“Flying Officer Cruickshank knew that the failure of this attack had deprived him of the advantage of surprise and that his aircraft offered a good target to the enemy gunners.
“Without hesitation, he climbed and turned to come in again. The Catalina was met by intense and accurate fire and was repeatedly hit. The navigator/bomb aimer was killed. The second pilot and two other members of the crew were injured.
But they carried on doing their duty
“Flying Officer Cruickshank was struck in seventy-two places, receiving two serious wounds in the lungs and 10 penetrating wounds in the lower limbs. His aircraft was badly damaged and filled with the fumes of exploding shells.
“But he did not falter. He pressed home his attack, and released the depth charges himself, straddling the submarine perfectly. The U-boat was sunk.
“He then collapsed, but recovered shortly afterwards and, though bleeding profusely, insisted on resuming command and retaining it until he was satisfied that the damaged aircraft was under control and that a course had been set for base.
It could have ended very differently
“Although able to breathe only with the greatest difficulty, he insisted on being carried forward and propped up in the second pilot’s seat.
“With his assistance, the aircraft was safely landed on the water. He then directed the taxying and beaching of the aircraft so it could easily be salvaged.
“When the medical officer went on board, Flying Officer Cruickshank collapsed and he had to be given a blood transfusion before he could be removed to hospital.
“By pressing home the second attack in his gravely wounded condition and continuing his exertions on the return journey with his strength failing all the time, he seriously prejudiced his chance of survival even if the aircraft safely reached base.
“Throughout, he set an example of determination, fortitude and devotion to duty.”
The quiet man never wanted any fuss
Mr Cruickshank reached his personal century in 2020, but it was typical of this self-effacing individual that he sought privacy rather than publicity.
It was left to other people such as former Aberdeen Lord Provost Barney Crockett to pay their tributes to a man who was born just after the creation of the RAF.
Mr Crockett said: “John Alexander Cruickshank has shown the sort of selfless courage and dedication to duty which should make everybody feel proud of his service.
“I would like to wish John a very happy birthday and thank him for everything he did during the Second World War and being awarded the VC.
“I have met John, he is a man with an outstanding intellect and he was able to explain how his actions fitted in with the whole Allied strategy in the war.
“It was a privilege to talk to him. He is from a generation which has never sought the spotlight. But he deserves all our thanks and good wishes.”