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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 646

The campaign group of three awarded to Warrant Officer W. Muskett, No. 514 Squadron, Royal Air Force, whose Lancaster aircraft was attacked on a bombing raid to Berlin in December 1943

With the port wing on fire and the aircraft in a dive, the order was given to bale out; Muskett, who was the Wireless Operation and Air Gunner, was taken a Prisoner of War and incarcerated at Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug and most likely took part in 'The Long March' in 1945

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, all official late issues, in their box of issue with 'ticker tape', extremely fine (3)

Lancaster DS738 departed from Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire in the late afternoon of 2 December 1943 on a bombing raid to Berlin. The aircraft was attacked from astern by enemy aircraft on route and severely damaged over Potsdam. When lost the Lancaster had a total of 54 hours and according to the bomb aimer, the port fin and rudder were shot away, port wing tank set on fire, undercarriage hydraulics damaged and possible damage to the rear turret. The port wing was on fire and the aircraft entered a dive with the crew, apart from the rear gunner, baling out as ordered by the skipper.

The only casualty was the rear gunner, Sergeant Robert Curle. Muskett and his fellow crew members were captured by the Germans, Muskett being sent to Stalag Luft 6 at Heydekrug in Lithunania.

Kenfentonswar.com - Fenton was also incarcerated at Stalag Luft 6 and he provides a very detailed account of Stalag Luft 6, its inmates and The Long March.

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Sold for
£260

Starting price
£110