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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 550

A 1943 D.F.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant J. Clack, Royal Air Force, an Air Bomber whose raids on Germany progressed from propaganda leaflets to bombs

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1269707. Sgt. J. Clack. R.A.F.), with named box of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (5)

D.F.M. London Gazette 19 October 1943, the original recommendation states:

'Sergeant Clack, as an Air Bomber, has completed 30 sorties involving a total of 183 hours flying. These include visits to Cologne, Essen, Duisburg as well as the more distant targets of Genoa and Turin. On the majority of occasions, Sergeant Clack's aircraft succeeded in attaining its objective, although severe icing and an engine trouble caused some early returns. He co-operated well with his crew and his lucid descriptions at interrogation proved that he had performed his duties to the very best of his ability. His cheerfulness and perseverance were invaluable in maintaining the morale of his crew. I consider that the thoroughness with which he performed his duties, often under trying conditions, over an operational period of eight months merits the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.'

Joseph Clack served with No. 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force during the Second World War. The Squadron, flying from RAF Driffield, flew Whitleys at the start of the war, dropping propaganda leaflets over Germany. They turned to night bombing as the war hotted up, flying raids over France and Germany and were outfitted with the Handley Page Halifax. In March 1945 they switched to a transport role; sold together with an incomplete riband bar with Air Crew Europe star rosette; his tunic, this ranked to a Flight Lieutenant, with Bomb Aimer's 'brevet', a gilt metal Path Finder Force Badge, and with medal ribands including the D.F.M. Additionally a good archive of original photographs (including official group images of the Squadron, a small portrait of Clack in uniform, and a number of aerial shots of bombing objectives), also much copied paperwork including photocopies of his Flying Log Book, award document of the 'Path Finder Force Badge' and Certificates of Qualification.

For the medals of Private. J. Clack, likely a relation, please see Lot 336.

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Sold for
£1,900

Starting price
£800