Fighter pilot ace remembered in unique ceremony

[Silver]

Today's Irish Independent carries an article entitled 'Fighter pilot ace remembered in unique ceremony' - which refers to the recent ceremony in Baldonnel to remember Irish RAF (World War II) fighter pilot ace, Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane.


(perhaps somebody can post the full text here).

[Frank]

Fighter pilot ace remembered in unique ceremony

AN Irish fighter pilot with the RAF who shot down 32 planes in the Second World War was officially honoured yesterday for the first time in his own country in a unique ceremony at Baldonnel airbase.

Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane from Rathmines, was the highest scoring pilot in the RAF when he crashed into the English Channel at the age of 21 in 1942. He was signally honoured with the Distinguished Service Order and a triple Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar.

At a ceremony in Baldonnel a specially commissioned rose was planted in the memorial garden beside the garrison church. It was attended by members of the RAF Association and the Air Corps.

"The Air Corps is very pleased to be able to accede to the request of the RAF Association and honour this exceptional airman, who first flew here at Baldonnel in an airshow in 1932," said Brig-Gen Ralph James, OC of the Air Corps.

Finucane attended O'Connell's School, where one of his classmates was the future GAA commentator Micheal O'Hehir.

He joined the RAF at 17 when his family moved to England and flew in the Battle of Britain as a Spitfire pilot. He achieved his greatest success with a squadron of Australian pilots and in a 51-day period in 1941, he shot down 17 Messerschmitt 109 fighters.

He died in 1942 when the engine of his Spitfire was hit and he was forced to ditch in the sea.

Michael Brennan

---------------------------------

For those of you with a Unison / irish Independent logon the story can be read here

[Frank]

Hi Guys,

There is more information on and pictures of Brendan "Paddy" Finucane available on this website:

http://www.frenkenstein.com/ww2/UK/Finucane/Paddy_Finucane.htm


Regards,

Frank.