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Auction: 14003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 7

The Superb O.B.E., Second War 'Augsburg Raid' Immediate D.F.C. Group of Ten to Lancaster and Mosquito Pilot Wing Commander B.R.W. 'Darkie' Hallows, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, For his Gallantry During the Spectacular Daylight Attack on the Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg Factory at Augsburg, 17.4.1942: 'His Leader Was Shot Down in Flames... He Then Took Over Command of the Remainder of the Section... Throughout the Whole Operation, he Showed the Greatest Possible Determination and Pluck.' Squadron Leader J.D. Nettleton, Who Led the Raid, Was Awarded the Victoria Cross
a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt
b) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1942' and additionally privately engraved 'B.R.W. Hallows Augsberg [sic] April'
c) The Most Venerable Order of St. John, Serving Brother's breast Badge, circular type, silver and enamel
d) 1939-1945 Star
e) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Bar
f) Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaf
g) General Service 1918-62, G.VI.R., one clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Sqn. Ldr. B.R.W. Hallows. R.A.F.), rank partially officially corrected
h) Coronation 1953
i) Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R. (Act. Wg. Cdr. B.R.W. Hallows. R.A.F.V.R.), good very fine, mounted court-style as worn, with the following related items:
- The recipient's related miniature awards
- The recipient's two identity tags
- The recipient's two Flying Log Books, covering the period 24.6.1938- 11.9.1959
- The recipient's Scrapbook, containing a diary of Operational Flights with newspaper cuttings and illustration of operational aircraft flown
- Postagram to the recipient from Air Marshal A.T. Harris, congratulating him on the award of his D.F.C., dated 25.4.1942
- At First Sight, a factual and anecdotal account of No.627 Squadron, R.A.F., by Alan B. Webb, 244pp, First Edition co-Author's copy, the front plate named to Wing Commander B.R.W. Hallows, O.B.E., D.F.C.
- The Augsburg Raid, by Jack Currie, D.F.C., 144pp, signed by the author (lot)

O.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1951 Acting Wing Commander Brian Roger Wakefield Hallows, D.F.C. (77787), Royal Air Force.
The Recommendation states: 'For the past two years Wing Commander Hallows has been responsible for planning the war organistation of the R.A.F. It has been his duty to convert operational plans into practical administrative possibilities. This has meant an enormous amount of troublesome, detailed work which, in a continuously changing situation, has been complicated and full of frustrations and disappointments. Nevertheless despite innumerable setbacks Wing Commander Hallows has preserved throughout an unshakable spirit and unbounded energy. The smooth and efficient manner in which large U.S.A.F. reinforcements were received into this country during the recent international crisis was very largely due to the careful, painstaking and thorough preliminary work which had been done by Wing Commander Hallows and the officers under him. Much of this was far beyond the duties normally expected of an officer of his rank and appointment and required considerable initiative. His exceptional efforts are deserving of recognition.'

D.F.C. London Gazette 28.4.1942 Flight Lieutenant Brian Roger Wakefield Hallows (77787), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 97 Squadron
'On the 17th April, 1942, a force of twelve Lancaster heavy bombers was detailed to deliver an attack in daylight on the diesel engine factory at Augsburg in Southern Germany. To reach this highly important military target, and return, a most daring flight of some 1,000 miles over hostile country was necessary. Soon after entering enemy territory and whilst flying at a very low level the force was engaged by 25 to 30 enemy fighters. Later, the most intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Despite this formidable opposition 8 of the bombers succeeded in reaching the target and in delivering a successful attack on the factory. The officers and airmen who participated, in various capacities, as members of the aircraft crews, displayed courage, fortitude and skill of the highest order.'

The Recommendation, dated 19.4.1942, states: 'Flying Officer Hallows took part in an attack on the Diesel Factory at Augsburg. This flight entailed a daylight crossing of enemy occupied territory of approximately 900 miles. On reaching the target, Flying Officer Hallows (who was in No.2 position of the Leading Squadron) attacked from a very low level and, in spite of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, dropped his bombs in the target. His aircraft was repeatedly hit by anti-aircraft fire.
Immediately after releasing his bombs, his Leader was shot down in flames. Flying Officer Hallows then took over command of the remainder of the Section and continued to lead until darkness overtook them. Throughout the whole operation, Flying Officer Hallows showed the greatest possible determination and pluck.'

Order of St. John, Serving Brother, London Gazette 4.4.1967 Wing Commander Brian Roger Wakefield Hallows, O.B.E., D.F.C.

Wing Commander Brian Roger Wakefield 'Darkie' Hallows, O.B.E., D.F.C., A.E., was Commissioned Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 7.3.1940, and promoted Flying Officer, 7.3.1941. At C.F.S. he had won a trophy for being 'best all-round cadet', and had won a reputation 'for the use of language over the radio which caused some Watchtower WAAFs to giggle, some to blush. He was known as "Darkie" on the Squadron, not just for his jet-black hair and full moustache.' (The Augsburg Raid, by Jack Currie refers). After a spell with No.25 O.T.U., he joined No.97 Squadron (Manchesters), Coningsby, 28.9.1941. His first Operational Sortie was over Emden, 15.11.1941, after which he and his crew had a month off, preparing formation flying for his second raid, the attack on the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, both in dry dock in Brest Harbour, 18.12.1941: 'After much preparation in formation flying we were told we were to attack Brest to keep Salmon and Gluckstein [sic] penned in. The weather was good and 11 aircraft took off. All went well up to target area when very intense flak was encountered, we were hit three times, self and navigator being hit by flying Perspex but no damage. We bombed in formation at 15,000 feet, and dived away to right.' (The recipient's Scrapbook refers). The raid, described by the B.B.C. as 'One of the most spectacular daylight raids of the War', was a success, but not an out-right victory, and on the 9th January 1942 Hallows and his crew returned on a night sortie, although this time cloud cover prevented a further attack. On the 15th January, the target was Hamburg: 'It was a lovely sight, over 300 small fires across the centre of the town. Target hit (14 x 400lb incendiaries). Huns very attentive!' (ibid).

Between January and April 1942 No.97 Squadron was re-equipped with Lancasters. These gave some teething problems, but operations resumed on the 8th April, with a gardening trip over Heligoland Bight. This was followed nine days later with the raid on the Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg Diesel Engine Factory at Augsburg in Bavaria.

The Augsburg Raid, 17.4.1942- All the Crew Were Valiant
'After 3 days of long formation cross countries we were briefed for this trip. Plenty was said about how important it was and all that stuff, so we were obviously not intended to come back in any strength. Fighter Command had been on the job for several days hounding the German fighters, and when we were on the job we saw no fighters at all, all the way. We set course from Woodhall at 15:00hrs, crossed the coast at Selsey Bill at 16:15, French coast at 16:50 and from there to south of Paris, then down to Lake Constance, which included a good view of Switzerland, thence nearly to Munich and north to the town of Augsburg. On the way we shot up a passenger train in a large station, and saw an aerodrome crowded with Ju.90's. The target was easily picked out and we bombed the hell out of it. Waddington's formation were just ahead of us, and the gunners were ready for us, and it was as hot as hell for a few minutes. Our leader was hit and caught fire in the port inner tank and crashed and blew up about 10 miles north of the town. I led the remaining aircraft back, without any opposition. The quintessence of loneliness is being five hundred miles inside enemy territory with only one serviceable turret!' (ibid).

The raid on the Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg Factory, described by the press with the headline 'War's most Daring Raid', was a spectacular success, completely destroying half the production capacity of Diesel engines for German U-boats. Although Hallows' Lancaster B-Baker was hit by an enemy shell that went clean through the starboard wing, close to the fuselage, it fortunately did not cause the structure serious damage. Squadron Leader John Nettleton, who led the raid, was awarded the Victoria Cross, and nineteen other airmen received awards, including Hallows, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross: 'His leader was shot down in flames... he then took over command of the remainder of the section... Throughout the whole operation, he showed the greatest possible determination and pluck.' (D.F.C. Recommendation refers). Of the remainder of his crew, Wireless Operator Louch and Rear-Gunner Goachea were awarded the D.F.M., and the other four crew members were Mentioned in Despatches. Seven of the twelve Lancasters that took part in the raid did not come back. Prime Minister Winston Churchill hailed the raid as 'a memorable feat of arms in which no life was lost in vain.'

The Thousand Bomber Raids
Hallows and his valient crew followed the Augsburg raid up with further operational sorties over Stuttgart, 5.5.1942; Heligoland Bight, 22.5.1942; and Operation Millennium, the 1,000 Bomber raid on Cologne, 30.5.1942: 'We took off with over 1,000 others to destroy Cologne. The fires were seen over 60 miles away on the way out. Fires were tremendous. We hit the town with 1 4,000lb bomb. On the way back we encountered a Me109, but he did not open fire. Fires were visible at the Dutch coast on return.' (ibid). This was followed by the 1,000 Bomber raid on Bremen, 25.6.1942: 'Another 1,000 raid. Well over 1,100 were briefed. We were warned of low cloud and we found it. All the way in over Holland and Germany we were shot at quite heavily. Several fights seen.' (ibid); and then further raids on Duisberg, 23.7.1942; Hamburg, 26.7.1942; and Dusseldorf, 31.7.1942: 'Opposition was quite good over whole Ruhr and we saw 7 aircraft shot down. There were good fires in the target area. 150 searchlights all round the town. We were "coned" once but escaped by pelting like hell out of it. Landed base just before the fog closed in' (ibid).

Hallows finished his first tour with raids over Mainz, 12.8.1942; Nuremburg, 28.8.1942: 'Hit in 3 places. Battle with E/A' (Log Book refers); Munich, 19.9.1942; Keil, 13.10.1942 : 'Returned on 3 Engines from Danish coast. Flak in port outer radiator' (ibid); and Genoa, 6.11.1942: 'A grand trip. The target was lit up by its own very ineffective flak and searchlights before any bombs or flares were dropped. We bombed with no trouble!' (Recipient's Scrapbook refers).

His first tour over, Hallows was posted to No.5 Group Headquarters, and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 14.1.1944), before moving from No.1668 Lancaster Heavy Conversion Unit, Bottesford, to take over command of No.627 Squadron (Mosquitos), Woodhall Spa, 24.1.1945: 'Having met the chaps, I went on to RAF Barford St. John for a quick Mosquito familiarisation. This consisted of two trips, totalling less than two hours. I then went solo by day, and later by night, and returned to Woodhall Spa. I remember the change from Lancaster to Mosquito was quite startling. On the 20th February I did my first night operation, to mark the Mitteland Canal. Low cloud prevented anyone marking the target and the raid was abandoned. On the 21st February the raid was repeated, and the Canal was well and truly marked and clobbered. I did not drop markers as the aiming point was well marked and backing up was not required.
On the 24th February I was "Breeze Leader" with three other Mosquitos, with the job of finding an accurate wind for the heavies in the Nijmegan area. There was much cloud but we got a good wind, however, the Lancasters had to abandon the raid due to the cloud, not wishing to cause unnecessary casualties to the Dutch population. However, I found I had ruptured myself- heaven knows how and when- and reported sick, having to go into Rauceby RAF Hospital for a minor operation. I was fit again in June 1945, but was firmly told that my flying days were over, as no second tour pilots were going to the Far East on "Tiger Force". In the event of course no one went there.
So that was my tour with No.627 Squadron: 28 days in Command, two night and one daylight operations, and a hernia!' (At First Sight, A History of No.627 Squadron, by Alan Webb refers).

Promoted Squadron Leader, 1.9.1945, and Wing Commander, 1.1.1952, after the War Hallows was posted to Standing Group N.A.T.O., Pentagon, Washington D.C., flying out of Andrews Field, January 1955. He returned to the United Kingdom in June 1957, and retired in October 1959, to Sheringham, Norfolk, having flown a total of over 2,220 hours.

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