Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22102 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction VI - e-Auction
Lot: 498

A 'black Ops' 1952 A.F.C. awarded to Flight Lieutenant E. C. Powles, Royal Air Force, for his part in secretive operations over China - as recalled in Spy Spitfires

Air Force Cross, E.II.R., the reverse officially dated '1952' and additionally engraved 'Flt. Lt. E. C. Powles', good very fine

A.F.C. London Gazette 5 June 1952. The original recommendation states:

'For the past year, Powles has been in charge of a detachment of No. 81 Squadron at Kai Tak. During this time, he has displayed commendable courage and flying skill. In addition to his photographic reconnaissance duties, he has undertaken meteorological reconnaissance flights in weather unfit for photography and a number of special and, on occasions, long and arduous flights in connection with ferrying operations. On two occasions, when acting as radio transmission relay for convoys of aircraft, which included the duty of passing weather information, he has himself been caught by unforeseen changes in the weather at his base, and, both times, he landed safely only by virtue of his ability and skill as a Pilot. His calm determination not to be beaten by the weather has been an inspiration and example to all Pilots on the station. This officer, even when flying at altitude, often over the sea, alone in a single seater aircraft has always shown the greatest determination to complete his mission although this entailed returning to base with his fuel almost exhausted. He has repeatedly earned high praise for his skill, courage and high standard or airmanship.'

Edward Cyril Powles was commissioned Pilot Officer in 1944 and advanced to Flight Lieutenant by October 1948. His award of the Air Force Cross should be considered a highly 'political' award due to the sensitivity of the Ops being flown. As recalled by the recipient in the article Spy Spitfires, the posting was really to take high-altitude images of communist China. By the close of 1951 he had flown no less than 63 such flights over Chinese territory, with the full knowledge that should anything go wrong, no official would acknowledge why he was in Chinese territory. The recipient recalls '....my PR duties were passed over as being virtually incidental' to his other duties in the recommendation for his Air Force Cross.

Sold together with copies of the article, plus other copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£600