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Auction: 1005 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 13

A Second War 1945 Beaufighter and Mosquito Navigator´s D.F.C. Group of Six to Warrant Officer S.E. Hardy, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Who Shared in Successful Partnership With His Pilots in the Destruction of 1 Aircraft Destroyed, 2 Damaged, 6 V-1 Rockets Destroyed, Along With Countless Other Ground and Water Based Targets in Heavily Defended Occupied Territory a) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ´1945´ b) 1939-1945 Star c) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Bar d) Africa Star e) Italy Star f) War Medal, generally good very fine, with two Observer´s and Air Gunner´s Flying Log Books (22.7.1941-27.2.1945 and 2.3.1945-9.11.1945), the latter with slight damage, and a comprehensive file of research (6) Estimate £ 2,000-2,500 D.F.C. London Gazette 20.7.1945 Hardy, Stephen Erskine, WO. (1330400), R.A.F.V.R., 605 Sqn. The Recommendation states; ´This Warrant Officer is in the middle of his third successful tour of operations as a navigator. He has been engaged on operations with short rest periods since October 1941 (including a tour in the M.E.). He has shared as navigator in destroying 6 pilotless aircraft and damaging a DO 217 all by night and has faultlessly navigated his pilot to pinpoint and bomb or patrol targets (many heavily defended in occupied territories and Germany in all kinds of weather. In numerous attacks on enemy transport and communications by night he has assisted his pilot in destroying or damaging 7 trains, 38 Met and many barges. At all times, W/O Hardy has exhibited great enthusiasm to operate against the enemy and his outstanding ability, coolness and excellent example have inspired his fellow navigators, earned the respect of all, and contributed in a large degree to the success of his pilots. I strongly recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.´ 1330400 Warrant Officer Stephen Erskine Hardy, D.F.C., joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve for service during the Second World War and was initially posted for training at No. 54 O.T.U., Church Renton, August 1941; posted as a Navigator for operational flying to 406 Squadron (Beaufighters), Acklington, September 1941; this squadron operated as a night-fighter unit and Hardy flew on a number of ´interceptions´ with his then pilot Sergeant A.J. Harper, including 1.5.1942 ´Scramble 1 Contact 1 Visual 1 DO Damaged´ (Log Book refers), the Squadron´s Operation Record Book gives more detail: ´Took off from Scorton, when at a height of 17,000 feet our aircraft was advised by G.C.I. that an enemy aircraft was one and one-half miles ahead and below. Putting its nose down to gain speed our aircraft got contact at maximum range of an enemy aircraft to port, 2,000 feet below, and taking violent evasive action. At 1,000 feet there was a visual at a range of 2,500 feet of an enemy aircraft slightly to starboard and above. At 1,000 feet range it was identified as a DO.17 or DO.215. Closing to 600 feet our aircraft was about to open fire when the enemy dived steeply. Following it down our aircraft fired a two and one-half second burst at a range of 250 yards and strikes were seen on the fuselage.... When last seen the enemy aircraft was diving steeply through the clouds. It was claimed as damaged.´; posted to 89 Squadron (Beaufighters), Bersis, Middle East, February 1943; his partnership continued with Harper, although he occasionally flew with Sergeant Sheppard, including 16.3.1943, ´Moon Patrol Contact on Hun. Twice Through Barrage Exposed On By S/L at 5/6000 E/A Left Us.´; posted to T.R.U. Defford, December 1943; during training at the latter Hardy forged a new partnership with Flight Lieutenant B. Williams which was carried on with their next operational posting to 605 Squadon (Mosquitos), Manston, June 1944; here they were thrown into the anti-"Diver" offensive at night, attacking V-1 Rockets as soon as possible, 6/7.7.1944 they accounted for 3, as the Consolidated Diver Report shows, ´In all, saw 8 Divers, attacking three of them. At 0205 Diver was attacked 8 miles south of Dungeness at 6,000 feet course 320 degs. (M) 280 mph. Attacked from astern 500 yards becoming 200 yards with three bursts of cannon, the jet was doused and about 45 seconds later target exploded in the sea. At 0247 another Diver was attacked from 500 yards astern with one burst 5 miles N.N.W. of Le Touquet at 500 feet, course 350 degs. (M) 280 mph Target exploded in the air. At 0250 15 miles east of Dungeness at 500 feet, course 350 degs. (M) speed 280 mph a third Diver was attacked from 800 yards astern with four bursts - this also exploded in the air. All the Divers seemed to be leaving France in the Le Touquet area´; 18.8.1944 ´Diver. Two Destroyed´ (Log refers); in September 1944 the squadron transferred from Fighter Command to No. 2 (Bomber) Group, 2nd T.A.F. and carried out close support bombing work including Army Support, 3.2.1945, ´4x500 Elsdorf Started Fire Straffed Numerous Targets, 2x500 M.T. Park at Bocholt and Borken, Straffed Concentration of MET 15 Destroyed and Damaged. Attacked Rly Siding´; 27.2.1945, ´2x500 Mors "Gee" Fire Started. 1 MET Dest. 1 MET Damaged. 1 Diver Dest.´; 2.3.1945, ´OPS. Rhiene-Munster Area. 1 MET Damaged´; 11.3.1945, ´OPS. E. Zuider Zee 5 Barges Damaged. 1 MET Damaged. Much Flak´; 18.3.1945, ´OPS. Hanover-Berlin-Magdeburg Area 1x500. Aerodrome Straffed´; 22.3.1945, ´OPS. 4X500 Haltern. 1 Train Dam 2 MET Dest. 2 MET Dam. Factory Dam. All in Area N. Hanover´; 3.4.1945, ´OPS. Hanover-Bremen-Osnabruck Area 4 Barges. 2 MET. 1 Village Straffed. Strikes´; 2.5.1945, ´OPS. Flensbur Area Patrol. Attack on Leck. 1 109F? Dest. 1 109F? Damaged. Flak!´ (these were later confirmed as FW 190s); Both Hardy and Williams were awarded the D.F.C. in recognition of their gallantry in the early part of 1945; 605 Squadron was disbanded and re-numbered 4 Squadron, 31.8.1945 and Hardy continued to serve with the squadron until he was discharged 9.10.1945.

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