Squadron Leader John Hugh Saffery (1907–1985) was an officer of the British Royal Air Force during World War II, who served as flying instructor for glider pilots and then commanded a photo reconnaissance squadron. Post-war, he became a survey pilot for Hunting Aerosurveys Ltd.
Early life
At the age of seven Saffery was taken by his father to Hendon Aerodrome, and from then on his only ambition was to become a pilot. After being educated at St Ronan's School, Hawkhurst, Kent, he attempted to join the Royal Air Force, but was turned down due to a defect in one eye. Undaunted, he then worked at an advertising agency, and in 1926 began taking flying lessons at the London Aeroplane Club. In March 1927 he passed his test for the Royal Aero Club's Aviators' Certificate, and was granted Certificate No. 8096 in May. Saffery then became interested in gliding, and was awarded RAeC Gliding Certificate No. 104 at the London Gliding Club in February 1931. In 1938 Saffery began working for F. Slingsby, builders of gliders and sailplanes.
World War II
Soon after the outbreak of World War II Saffery joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve to serve in the Fleet Air Arm, being commissioned as a temporary sub-lieutenant on 1 November 1939, with seniority from 25 September. However, in May 1940 the British learned of the use of glider-borne troops by the Germans during the invasion of Belgium, at the assault on Fort Eben-Emael, and so on 17 June Winston Churchill ordered the formation of airborne forces. The first step was the formation of the Central Landing Establishment at Ringway Airport, Manchester, in June 1940 where the first attempts at military parachuting and gliding began. Saffery was soon attached to the new unit on the basis of his pre-war gliding experience, being transferred to the Royal Air Force, and appointed Chief Flying Instructor at No. 1 Gliding School based at RAF Thame.
On 11 June 1942 Saffery was awarded the King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.
He was promoted from flight lieutenant to squadron leader on 1 July 1943. He took command of a photo reconnaissance training unit, and subsequently of No. 541 (Photo Reconnaissance) Squadron, flying specially adapted Spitfires. Most sorties were flown at altitudes of around , beyond the reach of the Luftwaffe, but the cockpits were unpressurized, resulting in considerable discomfort to the pilots, who were in the air for several hours. Saffery flew 37 sorties over Germany and France, photographing potential targets for RAF Bomber Command including V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket launching sites.
On 1 June 1944 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His citation read: Squadron Leader John Hugh Saffery (61457), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 541 Squadron. "An outstanding officer, Squadron Leader Saffery, by his untiring energy, enthusiasm and devotion to duty has set a splendid example to his subordinates. He has taken part in a number of operational sorties to difficult and distant enemy targets. On one recent sortie he remained for over an hour over one of the most heavily defended areas of Germany, despite the most intense enemy opposition. This officer's sorties have been model to all for thoroughness of preparation and skill and resoluteness of execution."
Shortly after D-Day he had to bail out over the English Channel, spending a whole day floating on his life-raft, before being rescued by a passing torpedo boat.
In 1946 Saffery received a number of awards: firstly on 1 January, a mention in despatches, then on 13 June his second King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air, and finally on 26 July he was granted permission to the wear the Croix de Guerre (with palm), conferred by the government of Belgium "in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war".
Saffery was finally demobilized in 1946, though he remained on the Emergency List of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, until eventually relinquishing his commission on 10 February 1954, being permitted to retain the rank of squadron leader.