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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 480

A Second World War D.F.C. & Bar group of five awarded to Flight Lieutenant V. E. Bowden, Royal Air Force, who served two full tours of Ops with No. 405 (Canadian) Squadron as a Bomb Aimer

In his career which spanned no less than 55 Ops - all of these over targets in Europe - he shared in famous Raids on Berlin, the Nuremberg Raid and flew thrice during 'Big Week'

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1944', with Second Award Bar, the reverse officially dated '1945', in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (5)

D.F.C. London Gazette 6 June 1944. The Recommendation, having completed some 37 Ops as Bomb Aimer, with 215.37hrs of flying to complete them, states:

'This Officer is a highly efficient Bomb Aimer who has successfully completed 37 operational sorties against such heavily defended enemy targets as Berlin, Hanover and Munich. By his devotion to duty, skill in his trade and determination to complete his missions in a successful manner, he has set a fine example to the Squadron. Strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.'

Second Award Bar to D.F.C. London Gazette 22 May 1945. The Recommendation, having completed some 55 Ops as Bomb Aimer, with 288hrs of flying to complete them, states:

'Bowden is an extremely capable and courageous Bomb Aimer who has completed two full tours of operations, many against strongly-defended German targets. This Officer has displayed an undiminished enthusiasm for his work, both in the air and on the ground, which has encouraged less-experienced Bomb Aimers to strive for the same objective of efficiency. As Visual Bombing Leader of this Squadron, his work has been outstanding and by his personal example of devotion to duty and disregard for private considerations, he has done much to contribute towards its operational successes.'

Victor Edward Bowden was a native of Piggotts Hill, Harpenden, Hertfordshire and served with No. 405, Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. He ammassed a remarkable two tours of Ops with his unit and made no less than 11 visits to Berlin - The Big City - during his career. He also flew on Hamburg in late July 1943, including Ops which were central to the Firestorms which ripped through the city. Middlebrook's The Berlin Raids features comment from Squadron Leader Trilsbach, a comrade of his:

'The Battle of Berlin was the worst part of my operational flying. It involved the worst weather, the most Flak, most searchlights and by far the greatest opposition at any time on my 'ops' career. Frankly, I don't want to see the bloody place again from any angle. I just hope that perhaps it was proved to the Germans that war does not pay. Oh, but what a terrible price the young Bomber Command crews had to pay.'

Bowden also flew on two further Ops during 'Big Week', the first on 19 February when 823 aircraft rounded on Leipzig, on 20 February when part of the major raid made by 598 aircraft on Stuttgart. He made it a hat-trick when flying on 24 February, when part of the major raid, made by 734 aircraft split into two attacks on Schweinfurt, home of Germany's main ball-bearing factories. He had flown on half of the Ops during that famous series of attacks on the heart of Germany. It should also be noted that Bowden flew on the famed Nuremberg Raid of 30 March 1944, when no less than 795 bombers of the Royal Air Force rounded on the city. It was another raid which Middlebrook published a fine account of the costly actions.

With his unit part of 8 Group of the Pathfinder Force, Bowden was also awarded his Path Finder Force Badge on 21 July 1944.

Sold together with the following archive:

(i)
Buckingham Palace letter for the award of the D.F.C., with his name typed at the foot.

(ii)
Path Finder Force Badge and Certificate.

(iii)
Letter of congratulation from the Chairman of London County Council, dated 9 January 1945.

(iv)
A letter, of 6 pages in ink, from the recipient whilst an 'Aviation Cadet' at Marwell Field Alabama, written on 11 November 1941 to his family.

(v)
A number of photographs of the recipient and his comrades.

(vi)
A good quantity of copied research.

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Sold for
£2,700

Starting price
£1600