Henry Lardner-Burke

{{Short description|South African flying ace of World War II}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox military person | honorific_prefix = | name = Henry Patrick Lardner-Burke | honorific_suffix = | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name = | other_name = | nickname = Pat | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1916|06|27}} | birth_place = [[Harrismith]], Orange Free State | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1970|02|04|1916|06|27}} | death_place = | burial_label = | burial_place = | burial_coordinates =  | allegiance = | branch = [[Royal Air Force]] | service_years = | service_years_label = | rank = Wing Commander | rank_label = | service_number = | unit = | commands = {{plainlist| * [[No. 1 Squadron RAF]] |}} | battles_label = | battles = [[World War II]] | awards = {{plainlist| *[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] and bar |}} | memorials = | spouse =  | relations = | children = | other_work = | signature = | signature_size = | signature_alt = | website =  | module = }}

'''Henry Patrick Lardner-Burke''' {{post-nominals|DFC}} (1916-1970) was a South African [[flying ace]] of World War II, credited with 7.5 'kills'.<ref name="AcesHigh">{{cite book | title=Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots | publisher=Grub Street |author1=Shores, C |author2=Williams C | date=15 July 2008 | isbn=978-1-898697-00-8}}</ref> [[File:Spitfire LF IXC MH434 3a (6111327751).jpg|thumb|Spitfire flown by Lardner-Burke]]

Enlisting in the Royal Air Force, he started light training in early 1940. In 1941 he was posted to [[No. 19 Squadron RAF|19 Squadron]], after which he joined [[No. 46 Squadron RAF|46 Squadron]] in May 1941. In June 1941, the squadron moved to [[Malta]].

On 8 November 1941 hit by a 12.7 mm round just behind left armpit, after leaving most of itself inside, it came out about quarter inch from his left nipple, it pierced the armour plating of his Hurricane BD789 behind. He was hit and shot down from close behind at an angle by a [[Aermacchi|Macchi]] fighter. He tried to bail out, but failed and managed to land safely in Malta.<ref name="SAMILHIST">{{cite web | url=https://samilhistory.com/tag/flt-lt-henry-pat-lardner-burke-dfc-bar/ | title=FLT LT HENRY 'PAT' LARDNER-BURKE DFC & BAR | accessdate=May 8, 2020}}</ref> The injury was serious and put him out of the action for several months.

His DFC citation reads:<ref name="Delve">{{cite book | title=Malta Strikes Back: The Role of Malta in the Mediterranean Theatre 1940–1942 | publisher=Pen and Sword Aviation | author=Delve, Ken | year=2017 | isbn=978-1473892446}}</ref> <blockquote> In November 1941, this officer was the pilot of one of 4 aircraft which engaged a force of 18 hostile aircraft over Malta and destroyed 3 and seriously damaged 2 of the enemy’s aircraft. During the combat Pilot Officer Lardner-Burke, who destroyed 1 of the enemy’s aircraft, was wounded in the chest and his aircraft was badly damaged. Despite this, he skillfully evaded his opponents and made a safe landing on the aerodrome; he then collapsed. Throughout the engagement, this officer displayed leadership and courage of a high order. He has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft over Malta. </blockquote>

In May 1942 he joined Gunnery Instruction Training Wing until March 1943, when he received new posting to [[No. 222 Squadron RAF|222 Squadron]] as a Flight Commander. On 27.8.43 he claimed 1-0-1 Fw 190 on 18.30-20.10 sortie flying Spitfire MH434/ZD-B. He was flying as Red 3 and at first damaged one, later shot down [[Focke-Wulf]] that crashed near [[Audruicq]]. F/O Hasselyn (Blue 3) claimed Fw 190 destroyed 10–15 m N. of [[Guînes]] flying MH428 and F/O [[Otto Smik]] (Red 4) flying MH430 claimed the third as destroyed and his pilot bailed out. That Focke-Wulf attempted to attack Burke. We know, that 8./JG 26 lost two Fw 190s with both pilots bailed out successfully. On 8 September he was flying as Blue 1 and with F/O Smik (Blue 2, MH390) attacked leading enemy [[fighter aircraft]]. It was seen to crash S.E. of [[Boulogne-sur-Mer]] by P/O T. Willie (Blue 3, MH491). They both claimed Me 109F destroyed. We only know that JG 26 loss doesn't fit in time and place. The same situation was with two Focke-Wulfs.

In April 1944, he was appointed Officer Commanding of [[No. 1 Squadron RAF]] and in December 1944 of [[RAF Church Fenton]]<ref name="SAMILHIST"/> He was awarded a bar to his DFC in February 1945.<ref>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36931/supplement/817/data.pdf Issue 36931] ''The London Gazette'' p. 817</ref>

==Post war== After the war he moved to the [[Isle of Man]] and died in 1970.<ref name="SAMILHIST"/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lardner-Burke, Henry}} [[Category:South African World War II flying aces]] [[Category:1916 births]] [[Category:1970 deaths]] [[Category:South African military personnel of World War II]] [[Category:South African recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]