page_title: Whitney Straight
section_title: Second World War
hierarchical_section_title: Whitney Straight / Career / Flying / Second World War
caption_attribution_description: English: Air Commodore Whitney Straight, Air Officer Commanding RAF Transport Command, Middle East, saying goodbye to the Sheikh Khalifa, cousin of the ruler of Bahrain, and his two sons, 18 January 1945. Air Commodore Whitney Straight, CBE, MC, DFC, Air Officer Commanding R.A.F. Transport Command, Middle East, saying goodbye to the Sheikh Khalifa, cousin of the ruler of Bahrain, and his two sons, during a tour made by the A.O.C. to staging posts in the Persian Gulf. Sheikh Khalifa has practically adopted the R.A.F. at Bahrein, and is a frequent visitor to the station, often providing luxuries for the men.
context_page_description: Air Commodore Whitney Willard Straight, CBE, MC, DFC, FRSA, FRGS was a Grand Prix motor racing driver, aviator, businessman, and a member of the prominent Whitney family of the United States.
context_section_description: During the Second World War, Whitney Straight served as a Royal Air Force pilot. He was  sent to Norway in April 1940 to find frozen lakes suitable for use as airfields. Lake Lesjaskog was utilised by No. 263 Squadron RAF during the Norwegian Campaign as a result. 
  Straight was seriously wounded during a German bombing raid in Norway.
  For his service in Norway, he was awarded the Norwegian War Cross with sword in 1942.
  After convalescing, he next served with No. 601 Squadron RAF in the Battle of Britain. From September 1940 until April 1941, he was credited with two aircraft destroyed. He then became commanding officer of 242 Squadron, bringing his total to 3 and 1 shared ( with 2 'probables') by late July 1941. Early in 1941 he was awarded a Military Cross for his work in Norway.
  He was shot down by flak over France on 31 July 1941 and initially evaded capture. Through the French Underground, he made his way to unoccupied Vichy France where he was  captured and put in a POW camp. However he escaped on 22 June 1942 and with the aid of the French Resistance reached safety in Gibraltar.
  In September 1942, now as an air commodore, he was sent to the Middle East joining HQ, No. 216 Group, as AOC.
caption: Air Commodore Straight, AOC RAF Transport Command, Middle East, with Sheikh Khalifa, cousin of the ruler of Bahrain, and his two sons, pictured in front of an RAF Dakota, 18 January 1945
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