leonard henry trent

Trent, Leonard Henry Leonard Henry Trent (VC, DFC) was a New Zealander recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

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He was 28 years old, and a Squadron Leader in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, serving with 487 Squadron, Royal Air Force during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 3 May 1943 during a daylight raid on an Amsterdam, Holland power station, Squadron Leader Trent's force of 11 Lockheed Venturas was attacked by very large numbers of enemy fighters and by the time they reached the target he was left with only two accompanying aircraft, one of which was shot down as they approached and when his own bombs had been released the second one had also disappeared. Squadron Leader Trent shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 with the forward machine guns of his plane.Immediately afterwards his own aircraft was hit, went into a spin and broke up. Squadron Leader Trent and his navigator were thrown clear and became prisoners. He had displayed cool, unflinching courage in the face of overwhelming odds.