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Auction: 1006 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 33

A Scarce Second War 1943 ´S.O.E. Special Operations´ D.F.M. Group of Five to Halifax Air Gunner Sergeant, Later Flying Officer, R.M. Ritchie, 161 Squadron, Royal Air Force a) Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1343639 Sgt. R.M. Ritchie. R.A.F.), minor official correction b) 1939-1945 Star c) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Bar d) Defence and War Medals, nearly extremely fine, mounted as originally worn (5) Estimate £ 2,500-3,000 D.F.M. London Gazette 13.7.1943 1343639 Sergeant Robert McGowan Ritchie, No. 161 Sqn, R.A.F. The Recommendation, dated 19.5.1943, states: ´Sergeant Ritchie has carried out 21 operational sorties and has been employed on duties of a special nature, requiring a very high standard of skill and judgement. His keenness to fly, and his high standard of efficiency both in the air and on the ground, is outstanding.´ Flying Officer Robert McGowan Ritchie, D.F.M., served during the Second War as Air Gunner with 161 Squadron (Halifaxes), Tempsford, from August 1942; the Squadron had been formed for Special Duties, 15.2.1942, ´Tempsford, in fact, was the headquarters of that part of the R.A.F. which specialized in taking by night, saboteurs to lead, guide, and maintain communications with the underground movement; in supplying the Maquis with arms, ammunition, radios, pigeons, and food; in bringing to this country from the continent those people of either political importance or important to the war effort. Operations ranged over 19 countries from the Arctic to Africa´; Ritchie flew in at least 31 Special Operations with the squadron, including to such coded locations as: ´Sexto´ and ´Lucky Shot´, France, 14/15.1.1943 and 15/16.1.1943; ´Aridium´, Czechoslovakia, 18/19.1.1943; ´Yaro´, Poland, 13/14.3.1943´ ´Marigold´ and ´Lime 12´, France, 14/15.4.1943, ´2 Agents and 2 Packages were dropped successfully from a height of 800 feet at 0128 hours..... proceeded on to ´Lime 12´ which was reached at 0141 hours and identified by river and wood close by..... Reception was immediately received and 5 Containers were dropped´ (Squadron Operations Record Book refers); ´Fresia´ and ´Circle´, France, 13/14.5.1943, ´Ran into convoy off coast of France.... Tail plane shot up badly and forced to return; ´Fresia´ and ´Circle´, France, 18/19.5.1943, ´Arrived over target at 0154 hours - this was identified by railway, bends in river and other ground details and here 1 package was dropped.... Proceeded to second target and half way between pin point and Meislains dropped 2 Agents - time was 0246 hours´; and ´Gags´, ´Prop´ and ´Mannintree´, France, 15/16.7.1943, ´Arrived over vicinity of target at 0105 hours - 2 Agents were dropped as briefed at clearing north side of little wood - Proceeded on to ´Gags´ where reception was noted at 0130 hours and here 1 Container and 1 Package were released. The remaining target was reached at 0136 hours and 2 Agents with 1 package were released north of road running East from Sucy - seemed rather an unsuitable area owing to surrounding high cliff´; advanced Flying Officer 26.5.1944; he flew with 161 Squadron until January 1945, when he was posted to 2 P.D.C., pending a posting overseas.

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£3,200