🇬🇧 WWII uncovered: Amy Johnson: Record Holding Master Pilot Joins the Air Transport Auxiliary.

 🇬🇧 WWII uncovered: Amy Johnson: Record Holding Master Pilot Joins the Air Transport Auxiliary.


Amy Johnson was no stranger to aviation prior to her commitment with the Air Transport Auxiliary in World War II.

 A master pilot in her own right, Johnson held the record as the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. 

In addition to this record-breaking flight Amy would go on set aviation records of flight from Britain to Moscow and Britain to Japan. 

On 20 May 1940 Johnson joined the Air Transport Auxiliary and rose to the rank of First Officer.

According to the Air Transport Auxiliary Museum and Archive, "Women came from all over the world to join ATA. 

Twenty five nations were represented, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. 

The largest contingent from Europe were 17 Poles, including three women who reached Britain after escaping via the Balkans after the defeat of France by Germany

According to the Royal Air Force web archive: "Sunday 5 January 1941 dawned snowy, bitterly cold, and foggy. 

Nevertheless, at 11:45 am Amy took off from the Blackpool aerodrome in a twin-engine Airspeed Oxford and headed for Kidlington Airbase in Oxfordshire, a 90-minute flight. 

According to newspaper accounts, she was not seen again until nearly four hours later when she parachuted out of her plane over the frigid waters of the Thames estuary, more than 70 miles off course.

 Despite a gallant rescue effort by Lieutenant Commander Walter Fletcher and the crew of the HMS Haslemere - Amy Johnson would remain lost at sea. Lieutenant Commander Fletcher passed away days later resultant of hypothermia.

Amy was 37 years old when she disappeared. A memorial service was held for Amy Johnson at the church of St Martin in the Fields on 14 January 1941. Lest We Forget.


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