Michael Allen

Michael Seamer Allen DFC (15 March 1923 – 6 June 2001) was a British air navigator and radar operator of the Royal Air Force. During World War II, he participated in dozens of night fighter missions, for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, accompanied by two bars. In 1999, he published Pursuit Through Darkened Skies: An Ace Night-fighter Crew in World War II, a book that traces his exploits and the use of radar for aviation during the war. Early life Michael Seamer Allen was born on 15 March 1923 in Croydon, Surrey. He attended Hurstpierpoint College and studied mechanical engineering. After graduating, he joined Fairey Aviation Company as an apprentice. In 1939, he attempted to enlist in the Royal Air Force, but his employer did not wish to lose him, claiming that he was indispensable. His father, also working in the aeronautical field, persuaded Fairey to let his son enlist. Allen finally joined the British Air Force in June 1941. Second World War Michael became an air navigator. After two months, he became teammate of pilot officer Harold White at No. 54 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Church Fenton. They were trained in night operations and remained teammates until May 1945. The RAF tended not to change crews, as night missions required extensive coordination between the pilot and the navigator. Michael was trained in the use of radars, freshly introduced into aviation. The airborne Interception radars allow the pilot, once in the designated area, to capture the position of enemy aircraft. After training, the two men were integrated into No. 29 Squadron RAF, before being transferred to No. 54 Squadron RAF, where they flew a Douglas A-20 Havoc. These aircraft were equipped with a turbinlite, a powerful projector that lit up an enemy target, with a Hawker Hurricane fighter taking over to shoot it down. This technique was not effective, however, but allowed Allen and White to form on night flight.