RAF Military Cross isn't working properly?

[Guest Mike]

I just counted up 4 MC's in the first 3 pages of all-time RAF pilots, dead or alive.

There are 7 VC's in that same group - of which 2 pilots have 2 each - so there's almost twice as many VC's as MC's :eek:

Of course perhaps it doesn't help that the MC was an army award, not a RAF one??!!

I know I've successfully escorted bombers on many occasions without ever receiving one - is it perhaps a little too rare?? :confused:

Perhaps it is getting "trumped" by pilots winnign the DSO on the same occasion? If so perhaps it shoudl be the other way around since DSO's seem to be as common as muck!!

Edit: A list of pre-1993 RAF awards can be seen at http://www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/gallantry.htm

There are a couple missing from the roster that could be used to replace the MC:

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (RAF Ribbon on the left, RN Ribbon is the one actually on the medal)

This was originaly a RN Medal extended to the RAF in 1943 to recognise gallantry whilst flying in operations against the enemy - 105 RAF CGM's were awarded in WW2.

The GGM rates immediately below the VC, and the civilian equivalent is the George Cross.

This could be the 2nd highest RAF award.

And the Distinguished Flying Medal:

This was awarded to NCO's and enlisted men for bravery (note not gallantry!) while flying operations against hte enemy.

I'm not sure this should be used as it's for non-officers, but perhaps it could be awarded to pilots who achieve anything of note while flying the demo - they could all be ranked as Sergeant-Pilots, and promoted to Pilot Officer when they get to the full version?????

There's also an Airforce Cross for Officers, and an Airforce Medal for Enlisted Men for acts of gallantry/bravery when not flying in ops against the enemy that I guess aren't appropriate.

[ November 13, 2005, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: Stalin's Organist ]

[bartbert]

It could very well be that the Military Cross is not frequently awarded because other medals are being awarded instead.

Each medal is given a value (or priority) from 10 (Victoria Cross) down to 1 (Wounded Badge). When checking for medal awards, the highest value medals are checked first, continuing on down to the lowest value medals. As soon as a medal is awarded, no further checks are made.

The Military Cross has a value of 2, so it's pretty low on the list. I suspect that other medals are being awarded before it gets to checking the Military Cross.

Some medals can only be awarded once, while most others can be awarded multiple times. Maybe we should just make them all be awarded just once, so that eventually you could win all them.

[Guest Mike]

Nah - getting multiple medals is cool - they do look nice

But it'd be better if it wasn't an army medal!!

[Guest Mike]

Perhaps the order of getting medals shoudl be reversed - start with the lowest ranked one you're eligible for, and only get the higher ones if you don't get the lower one??

For RAF medals that is......Army medals shouldn't be in there at all......

[Sixxkiller]

Stalin, the Japanese medals could be more realistic as far as service too. Surprised you havent said anything hehe.

_Ray

[Guest Mike]

Do the Japs have Spitfires??

No?

Well someone else can look after them then!

[Guest Mike]

I still reckon the MC isn't working properly - I've had dozens of missions where I've escorted the bombers safely and won nothing at all - and there's still only 2 MC's on the first page of all British pilots.

Are you sure the logic is working as you intended it to? I wouldn't be surprised if it was only checking for MC's if the pilots were not eligible for any other decoration.