Leonard Henry Trent

Completed a bombing run amid relentless enemy fighter attack

Leonard Henry Trent was a New Zealand airman who served with the Royal Air Force and rose to Group Captain. On 3 May 1943, as a Squadron Leader with No. 487 Squadron, he led eleven Ventura bombers in a daylight attack on a power station at Amsterdam. Before departure he told his deputy that he would reach the target whatever happened.

Near the Dutch coast, German fighters engaged the escort and separated it from the bombers. One Ventura had already turned back after being hit. The remaining aircraft closed formation, but repeated attacks destroyed six within four minutes. Trent maintained his course with three other aircraft. Two more were shot down before the target. Under fighter attack and heavy anti-aircraft fire, he completed his bombing run and shot down a Messerschmitt at close range.

After releasing his bombs, Trent turned away. The aircraft behind him was shot down and his own Ventura was then hit, spun and broke apart. Trent and his navigator were thrown clear and became prisoners of war. The other two crew members died. His Victoria Cross was announced in March 1946 after his return from captivity.

Trent continued his postwar flying career, including service with Valiant bombers and senior RAF appointments. He retired as a Group Captain in 1965 and returned to New Zealand. He died in 1986.

Official Victoria Cross citation:

On the 3rd May, 1943, Squadron Leader Trent was detailed to lead a formation of Ventura aircraft in a daylight attack on the power station at Amsterdam. This operation was intended to encourage the Dutch workmen in their resistance to enemy pressure. The target was known to be heavily defended. The importance of bombing it, regardless of enemy fighters or anti-aircraft fire, was strongly impressed on the air crews taking part in the operation. Before taking off, Squadron Leader Trent told the deputy leader that he was going over the target, whatever happened.

2. All went well until the 11 Venturas and their fighter escort were nearing the Dutch coast. Then one bomber was hit and had to turn back. Suddenly large numbers of enemy fighters appeared. Our escorting fighters were hotly engaged and lost touch with the bombing force. The Venturas closed up for mutual protection and commenced their run up to the target. Unfortunately, the fighters detailed to support them over the target had reached the area too early and had been recalled.

3. Soon the bombers were attacked. They were at the mercy of 15 to 20 Messerschmitts which dived on them incessantly. Within four minutes six Venturas were destroyed. Squadron Leader Trent continued on his course with the 3 remaining aircraft.

4. In a short time 2 more Venturas went down in flames. Heedless of the murderous attacks and of the heavy anti-aircraft fire which was now encountered, Squadron Leader Trent completed an accurate bombing run and even shot down a Messerschmitt at point-blank range. Dropping his bombs in the target area, he turned away. The aircraft following him was shot down on reaching the target. 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 of war. The other two members of the crew perished.

5. On this, his 24th sortie, Squadron Leader Trent showed outstanding leadership. Such was the trust placed in this gallant officer that the other pilots followed him unwaveringly. His cool, unflinching courage and devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds rank with the finest examples of these virtues.