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Jackson completed his tour of 30 missions on April 24, 1944 but, as he had flown one sortie with a different crew, he chose to fly once more so that his original aircrew finished their tour together. Jackson's 31st mission took place on the night of April 26April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (117th in leap years). There are 249 days remaining. Events 1478 The Pazzi attack Lorenzo de' Medici and kill his brother Giuliano during High Mass in the Florence Cathedral. 1607 English col- 27April 27 is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 248 days remaining. Events 1124 David becomes King of Scotland. 1296 Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated by Edward I of England. 1509 Pope Julius II places th, 1944, when his crew flew in a raid on the German ball bearingNickel- chrome plated steel balls A ball bearing is a common type of rolling-element bearing, a kind of bearing. The term ball bearing sometimes means a bearing assembly which uses spherical bearings as the rolling elements. It also means an individual ba factories at Schweinfurt.

Having bombed the target, Jackson's Lancaster was attacked by a German night fighterA night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night, or in other times of bad visibility. They are sometimes referred to as night/all weather fighters for this reason. This role typically requires the use of radar, landing lights, direction fin and a fuel tank in the starboardStarboard is the nautical term (used on boats and ships) that refers to the right side of a vessel, as perceived by a person facing forward (i. towards the bow . The origin of term comes from old boating practices. Before boats had rudders on their center wing caught fire. Jackson, already wounded from shell splinters, strapped on a parachuteApollo 15 capsule landed safely despite a parachute failure. A parachute is a device used to slow the descent of a falling body or load. The word parachute comes from the French words para, protect or shield, and chute, to fall. Therefore parachute actual and equipped himself with a fire extinguisherA fire extinguisher is a device used to put out a fire, often in an emergency situation. They consist of a pressurised container of chemicals that when discharged can put out a fire. It is important to familiarise yourself with the use of fire extinguishe before climbing out of the aircraft and onto the fuselageIn an aircraft, the fuselage is the main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo. In single engine aircraft it will usually contain an engine, athough in some amphibious aircraft the single engine is mounted on a pylon attached to the fuselag, whilst the aeroplane was flying at 200 mph, in order to put out the fire. His parachute partially opened causing him to slip out onto the wing. As he passed through the fire he sustained serious burns before falling 20,000 feet to the ground with a partially opened and burning parachute.

He suffered further injuries upon landing, but managed to crawl to a nearby German village where he was paraded through the street. He spent 10 months recovering in hospital before being transferred to the Stalag Kc prisoner of war camp. He made two escape attempts, the second of which was successful as he made contact with a unit of the US Third Army.

Jackson was promoted to Warrant Officer and his Victoria Cross award was gazetted on October 26, 1945. In April of 2004 Jackson's VC medal was sold at auction for £235,250 ( GBP).

Norman Cyril Jackson was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.