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Auction: 17001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 256

A Second World War Bomber Command operations D.F.C. group of four awarded to Flying Officer A. W. A. 'Taff' Elley, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who completed a challenging tour of operations in No. 158 Squadron in 1944-45, on two occasions piloting flak-damaged Halifaxes back to base

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1945'; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, generally good very fine (4)

D.F.C. London Gazette 25 September 1945. The original recommendation states:

'Flying Officer Elley has completed an excellent tour of 31 operational sorties as pilot and captain of Halifax III aircraft with 158 Squadron. He has attacked targets in all parts of Germany and has flown through some of the most heavily defended areas to press home his attack.

A keen operational pilot, he has created an excellent spirit amongst his crew, and their work and results have been first-class. In the face of severe enemy fire he has shown coolness and courage of a very high order and his airmanship and fine example have inspired others to great things.

On two occasions when his aircraft was hit by flak his able handling of his machine and his initiative enabled him to maintain control and complete his mission successfully.

It is recommended that Flying Officer Elley's outstanding work, courage and determination throughout an excellent tour be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.'

Archibald William Andrew Elley commenced his pilot training at R.A.F. Desford in September 1941 and, on qualifying for his 'Wings' and being commissioned, served as a flying instructor. He also passed the P.R.U. Mosquito High Altitude Test in June 1944.

Having then attended No. 21 O.T.U., he was posted to No. 158 Squadron, a Halifax unit operating out of Lissett, in which capacity, in October, he commenced his operational career with sorties to Essen, Zoutelande and Cologne.

In November he was detailed to attack Dusseldorf, Bochum, Gelsenkirchen and Duisberg, whilst in December he participated in strikes on Hagen, Obladen, Koblenz and Cologne, in addition to return trips to Duisberg and Essen.

New Year's Day 1941 saw him detailed to attack Dortmund, followed by Hannover, Hanau and Saarbrucken in the remainder of January, whilst in February he completed no less than seven operational trips, including his third to Essen.

On the night of 2-3 March, he attacked Cologne in Halifax LV 907 'F for Freddy' - or Friday the 13th - a well-known squadron aircraft that eventually notched up a remarkable tally of 128 operational sorties. This sortie was followed by seven more over the next three weeks, including trips to Kamen, Chemnitz, Whitten and Gladbach.

He ended his tour with a sortie to Heligoland in April, the same month in which he was recommended for the D.F.C.

Sold with the recipient's original R.A.F. Pilot's Flying Log Book, a previous pilot's name overwritten in favour of the recipient's on the front cover, and covering the period September 1941 to July 1945, together with crew photograph.

Additional reference sources:

The National Archives (T.N.A.), D.F.C. recommendation: AIR 2/8749.


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Sold for
£1,900