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Auction: 1008 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 32

A Superbly Documented Second War 1944 Military Division ´Mosquito Crash Rescue´ B.E.M. Group of Three to Corporal G. Greenwood, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve a) British Empire Medal, G.VI.R., Military Division (1444303 Cpl. George Greenwood R.A.F.V.R.), with official corrections b) Defence and War Medals, very fine, with the following original related items and documents: - B.E.M. card box of issue - A series of unique photographs of the crashed Mosquito, DZ707, exploding ammunition, the rescue attempt to free the trapped Navigator and the final destruction of the aircraft by fire and explosion - Telex from AOC No. 10 Group (ADGB) congratulating Squadron Leader Brown on the award of the O.B.E. and Greenwood on the award of the B.E.M. - Confirmation slip for the award of the Defence Medal - Congratulatory Letter to Greenwood from Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, dated 25.8.1944 - Congratulatory Letter from Air Marshal Roderick Hill, dated 27.8.1944 - Congratulatory Letter from Air Marshal H.E. Whittingham, dated 24.8.1944 - Letter from Squadron Leader E.R. Brown´s wife, dated 10.3.1979 (lot) Estimate £ 350-400 B.E.M. London Gazette 22.8.1944 1444303 Corporal George Greenwood, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve ´In February, 1944, a Mosquito aircraft crashed and caught fire when approaching to land. The pilot was killed instantly but the observer was alive and rescue parties tried in turn to extricate him from the blazing wreckage. Party after party failed and each attempt became more difficult owing to the increasing heat of the fire in the cockpit area of the wreckage. Eventually, Squadron Leader Brown, the Station medical officer, and Corporal Greenwood made a final and desperate effort as the situation had become critical because the supplies of foam were exhausted temporarily and the fire remained unchecked for some minutes. If their effort failed it was clear that immediate amputation of the observer´s leg was the only way by which he could be released. Displaying extreme courage, Squadron Leader Brown and Corporal Greenwood withstood the intense heat of the flames and, by the skilful use of the tools at their disposal, succeeded in breaking away the wreckage which was trapping the observer´s leg. They then removed the airman to the ambulance. While first aid was being rendered, Squadron Leader Brown returned to the wreckage to make certain that the pilot was not alive. This officer and airman displayed outstanding courage and determination.´ The Recommendation states: ´On 26th February, 1944, a Mosquito aircraft of 157 Squadron, stalled on approaching to land, crashed, and caught fire. The pilot was killed instantly in the crash, but the Observer was still alive and rescue parties tried in turns to extricate him from the burning wreckage. Owing to the intense heat, the great quantities of foam being sprayed on the fire, and the exploding ammunition and Verey cartridges, careful examination of that part of the wreckage in which the Observer was trapped was extremely difficult. Party after party of rescuers failed to extricate the Observer, and each attempt became more difficult that the last, owing to the heat of the fire increasing as it took firmer hold on the cockpit area of the wreckage. Eventually a rescue party consisting of S/Ldr. Brown, the Station Medical Officer, and Cpl. Greenwood, N.C.O. i/c the Crash Tender, made a final and desperate effort as the situation had become acute. The Crash Tenders had temporarily exhausted their supplies of foam, and for some minutes the fire had been unchecked; it was apparent that if this effort failed, immediate amputation of the Observer´s leg was the only alternative to his being burnt to death. With very great courage and determination, Cpl. Greenwood and his officer, withstood the intense heat of the fire, and by extremely skilful use of the axes and other tools at their disposal, eventually succeeded in breaking down that part of the wreckage which was holding the Observer´s leg, so that he could be dragged clear of the fire. Cpl Greenwood and his officer then removed the Observer to the ambulance, where first aid was given. As a direct result of the outstanding courage, resource and determination of Cpl. Greenwood and the officer with him, the Observer´s life was saved; and although he is still on the D.I. List there is every reason to suppose that he will recover entirely. In view of the fact that Cpl. Greenwood, by his personal heroism, was directly responsible for this outstanding rescue work, I strongly recommend him for the award of the British Empire Medal.´ 1444303 Corporal George Greenwood, B.E.M., born Keithley, Yorkshire, 1905; employed by J. Stell & Sons Ltd., Holme Mills, Keithly prior to enlisting in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, May 1941; following training he was posted to Harrowbeer, Devon and promoted Aircraftman 1st Class, February 1942; posted Temporary Corporal to Predannack Airfield, Cornwall, November 1942; at the time 157 Squadron were flying Mosquitos on anti-shipping patrols out of the airbase, and Greenwood was N.C.O. in charge of the Crash Tender; he remained in this capacity, including for the rescue of Flying Officer Scobie, until his discharge 4.1.1946.

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