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Auction: 14001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 76

A Second War '1945' D.F.C. attributed to Mosquito Navigator, Pilot Officer D. Northridge, Royal Australian Air Force, Who Flew in 36 Operational Sorties with 142 Squadron, As Part of No.8 (Path Finder Force) Group's Light Night Striking Force
Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1945', in Royal Mint case of issue, with R.A.A.F. Observer's, Air Gunner's and W/T Operator's Flying Log Book (24.9.1943 - 8.6.1945), and photographic image of recipient

D.F.C. London Gazette 25.9.1945 Pilot Officer Denis Northridge (Aus. 437055), R.A.A.F., 142 Squadron
The Recommendation states: 'This Officer is reserved in his manner but his efficiency as a Navigator and zest for operations stimulates confidence. He is precise and careful in his work, and his keenness and accuracy on operations is exemplary. He is well worthy of the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.'

Pilot Officer Denis Northridge, D.F.C., served with the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second War; he carried out training as a Navigator at No.2 Air Observers School, R.A.A.F., Mount Gambier, from September 1943; he undertook further training at No.3 A.O.S. Port Pirie before transferring to the UK, for a posting to 29 E.F.T.S., Clyffe Pypard, June 1944; converted to Mosquitos with 1655 M.T.U. at Warboys and Wyton, before being posted for operational flying to 142 Squadron (Mosquitos), Gransden Lodge, November 1944; the squadron served as Mosquito light-bomber unit of No.8 (Path Finder Force) Group's Light Night Striking Force; Northridge flew in 36 operational sorties with the squadron, including: Dortmund; Wanne Eickel; Stuttgart (2), including 21.11.1944, 'Bombed Red T.I's 3/500lb m.c. Attacked by Jet fighter twice' (Log Book refers); Nurnberg (2); Osnabruck (2); Hanover (2); Karlsruhe; Hanau; Sieburg; Berlin (11); Mannheim; Magdeburg (2); Wiesbaden; Duisburg; Worms; Erfurt, 25.2.1945, 'Bombed Glow 4/500 m.c. 4000ft. Iced badly. Challenged by Night Fighter' (Ibid); Kassel; Essen; Lutzkendorf; Keil and Munich; he carried out his last flight with the squadron, as a "Cook's Tour" encompassing Dover - Boulogne - Charleroi - St. Vith - Karlsruhe - Mannheim - Weisbaden - Worms - Bonn - Remagen - Cologne - Aachen - Liege - Calais - Base, 8.6.1945; returned to Australia November 1945.

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£3,200