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Auction: 18001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 59

Three: Warrant Officer F. Smith, Royal Air Force, who flew on Air Sea Rescue (A.S.R.) missions in Warwicks of No. 280 Squadron in 1944-46, in addition to undertaking a 'special patrol' to return Clement Attlee from the Potsdam Conference in August 1945

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine and unusual (3)

H. F. Smith, a native of Redbourn, near St. Albans, Hertfordshire, commenced flying training in August 1943, initially for duties as an Air Gunner but latterly as a Wireless Operator.

Posted to No. 280 Squadron, an Air Sea Rescue unit operating in Warwick aircraft, in October 1944, he went on to participate in numerous search missions in the period leading up to the end of hostilities. Several of them were of a successful nature with resultant Catalina or High Speed Launch pick-ups. Cases in point included a sortie flown on New Year's Day 1945, 'With Fighter Escort … Diverted to dinghy with 6 survivors. Dropped boat (survivors landed)', and another on 3 February 1945, 'Diverted to posn. of distressed A./C. Sighted 2 dinghies - 7 survivors dropped Lindholme - Sent for help. All picked up safely by Catalina.'

He also flew a patrol in March 1945 'covering the Allied airborne landings over Rhine', in addition to a V.I.P. flight of 2 August: 'Special Patrol - Mr. Attlee returning from Potsdam'. Smith flew his final operational patrol on 17 May 1946, when a schooner was found and taken in tow by launch.

Sold with the recipient's original R.A.F. Air Gunner's and Wireless Operator's Flying Log Book, covering the period August 1943 to May 1946; together with an Innoculation Certificate and his identity discs.


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Sold for
£380