Lt Cdr John (Jock) Moffat

Jimbuna · 12-12-16, 01:17 PM

Fleet Air Arm Swordfish Pilot who sank the Bismarck dies aged 97.

The Chairman, Trustees and everyone at the Fly Navy Heritage Trust and Royal Navy Historic Flight sent their deepest condolences to the family of Lt Cdr John (Jock) Moffat who died peacefully in Perthshire at the weekend, aged 97.

Jock, who was a lifetime supporter of the Trust and never missed an opportunity to promote the Fleet Air Arm and our naval aviation heritage, was famous for the Swordfish attack on the Bismarck on 26 May 1941. His torpedo scored a direct hit, jamming her rudder and crippling her steering gear, effectively ending the threat of the greatest German surface raider of the Second World War.

~SALUTE~

somedude88 · 12-12-16, 03:02 PM

A real life badass, imagine going up against a 41,000 tonne steel encased technological marvel in a rickety biplane made in 1936 and actually getting in a crippling blow. I mean, in comparison Indiana Jones had a few poorly piloted fighters he had to shoot down and he's not even real!

eddie · 12-12-16, 03:15 PM

May he rest in peace!

Moonlight · 12-12-16, 03:43 PM

Pfffft, this pillock has a lot more medals than he's got and he didn't have to put his life on the line either, I wonder which medal he was awarded for shivering under the bed the whole of the war.
Bah! the upper crust are wimps and cowards, always have been and always will be.

Oberon · 12-12-16, 04:15 PM

^ Would that be the same pillock who served in the RN throughout the war? Who was on HMS Valiant during the Battle of Crete, and the Battle of Cape Matapan? Where he was mentioned in dispatches? Who did convoy escort duty off the coast of Britain and was involved in the Invasion of Sicily? During said invasion he devised a diversion from German night bombers which enabled his destroyer (which he was second in command of) to slip away un-noticed.

Ok, he's got enough models to make a Soviet general blush, but don't count out his war service just because of that.

Anyway, back to Jock, I remember watching a program that he was in which dealt with the attack on the Bismarck and he recalled how his navigator was watching the waves so that when they dropped the torpedo it would drop in a trough rather than a crest and would run straight.

Come to think of it...that must mean that the picture I drew of that moment is one of Jock too, bless him.

RIP sir.

Moonlight · 12-12-16, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Philip was involved in the Battle of Crete, and was mentioned in despatches for his service during the Battle of Cape Matapan, in which he controlled the battleship's searchlights. He was also awarded the Greek War Cross of Valour.
During the invasion of Sicily, in July 1943, as second in command of HMS Wallace, he saved his ship from a night bomber attack. He devised a plan to launch a raft with smoke floats that successfully distracted the bombers allowing the ship to slip away unnoticed.

Oh yeah, a real hero of the 2nd world war Philip was,

he's much more braver than a pilot who flew a rickety old torpedo plane that went up against the most powerful warship the Royal Navy had ever come up against isn't he.

RIP Lt Cdr John (Jock) Moffat, at least you deserve my gratitude.

Commander Wallace · 12-12-16, 10:29 PM

It's always sad when you lose someone who are themselves a piece of history.

Rest in Peace Lt Cdr John (Jock) Moffat.

12-12-16, 01:17 PM	#1
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,461 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Lt Cdr John (Jock) Moffat Fleet Air Arm Swordfish Pilot who sank the Bismarck dies aged 97. The Chairman, Trustees and everyone at the Fly Navy Heritage Trust and Royal Navy Historic Flight sent their deepest condolences to the family of Lt Cdr John (Jock) Moffat who died peacefully in Perthshire at the weekend, aged 97. Jock, who was a lifetime supporter of the Trust and never missed an opportunity to promote the Fleet Air Arm and our naval aviation heritage, was famous for the Swordfish attack on the Bismarck on 26 May 1941. His torpedo scored a direct hit, jamming her rudder and crippling her steering gear, effectively ending the threat of the greatest German surface raider of the Second World War. ~SALUTE~ __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

12-12-16, 03:02 PM	#2
somedude88 Torpedoman Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 120 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	A real life badass, imagine going up against a 41,000 tonne steel encased technological marvel in a rickety biplane made in 1936 and actually getting in a crippling blow. I mean, in comparison Indiana Jones had a few poorly piloted fighters he had to shoot down and he's not even real! Last edited by somedude88; 12-13-16 at 08:52 AM.

12-12-16, 03:15 PM	#3
eddie Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,023 Downloads: 99 Uploads: 0	May he rest in peace! __________________ Don't mistake my kindness for weakness. I'm kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me. Al Capone

12-12-16, 03:43 PM	#4
Moonlight Ocean Warrior Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fookhall Copse Posts: 2,518 Downloads: 184 Uploads: 0	Pfffft, this pillock has a lot more medals than he's got and he didn't have to put his life on the line either, I wonder which medal he was awarded for shivering under the bed the whole of the war. Bah! the upper crust are wimps and cowards, always have been and always will be. __________________

12-12-16, 04:15 PM	#5
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	^ Would that be the same pillock who served in the RN throughout the war? Who was on HMS Valiant during the Battle of Crete, and the Battle of Cape Matapan? Where he was mentioned in dispatches? Who did convoy escort duty off the coast of Britain and was involved in the Invasion of Sicily? During said invasion he devised a diversion from German night bombers which enabled his destroyer (which he was second in command of) to slip away un-noticed. Ok, he's got enough models to make a Soviet general blush, but don't count out his war service just because of that. Anyway, back to Jock, I remember watching a program that he was in which dealt with the attack on the Bismarck and he recalled how his navigator was watching the waves so that when they dropped the torpedo it would drop in a trough rather than a crest and would run straight. Come to think of it...that must mean that the picture I drew of that moment is one of Jock too, bless him. RIP sir.

12-12-16, 10:29 PM	#7
Commander Wallace Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Under the sea in an Octupus garden in the shade Posts: 5,294 Downloads: 366 Uploads: 0	It's always sad when you lose someone who are themselves a piece of history. Rest in Peace Lt Cdr John (Jock) Moffat.