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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 342

(x) Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

The mounted 1943 'Operation Chastise' D.F.C. group of five miniature dress medals worn by to Flight Lieutenant E. C. Johnson, No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Having begun his career with a full Tour in No. 50 Squadron in the crew of Sergeant (later Flight Lieutenant) L. G. 'Les' Knight, Royal Australian Air Force, Johnson soon established himself as a Bomb Aimer of considerable skill, being marked out as a member of an 'Ace Crew' and gaining early appointment as Squadron Bombing Leader; the outstanding ability of the crew was recognised and they were soon recruited for the Dams Raid by Guy Gibson, under whom Johnson had served earlier in his career

Considered one of the 'grandads of the Squadron', Johnson soon made a valuable contribution to the overall operation when inventing the 'Johnson Sight' which would be used to great effect to provide the precise delivery of the new invention of Barnes Wallis - namely his bouncing bomb

On that famous night Johnson was part of the main Strike Force under Gibson himself and was a witness to the breaching of the Möhne; his opportunity soon presented itself when Knight's crew were called to centre stage

They made three low-level dummy runs into the Eder Dam, each pass being a hair-raising event of high danger due to the steep climb required to bring the aircraft away from the surrounding terrain; their final run was pitch-perfect and Johnson delivered his Upkeep with total precision to score a direct hit that breached the Eder Dam, earning his immediate D.F.C. in the process and also keeping a remarkable souvenir from that night

Recovered from '...the biggest party of all time', Johnson would be required to take to his parachute to save his life during the costly raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal (Operation Garlic) in September 1943, making his way back to London after assistance from the good folk of Holland, Belgium and France and their underground networks

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R.; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine (5)

For his full-size awards and a biographical note, please see Lot 316.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£1,600

Starting price
£400