Whitley joined the Royal Air Force in 1926 . While serving in India , he was awarded the Air Force Cross for relief flights after the 1935 Quetta earthquake . He served in the Second World War as Officer Commanding No. 149 Squadron and then as Station Commander at RAF Linton-on-Ouse . In April 1943 , he was shot down in a Halifax bomber over Belgium . Landing by parachute in Northern France , with the help of the French Resistance he escaped through the Basque country to Spain . Returning to England , he continued his war service as Station Commander at RAF Lissett and then as Air Officer Commanding No. 43 Base . He went on to be Air Officer Commanding No. 4 Group and then Air Officer Commanding No. 8 Group
1935 Quetta earthquake
1935 Quetta earthquake
John Whitley (RAF officer)