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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 178

A Second World War Fleet Air Arm pilot's 'Operation Crimson' D.S.C. group of six attributed to Sub-Lieutenant F. B. 'Ben' Heffer, Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve

A Corsair pilot embarked on H.M.S. Illustrious, he was decorated for his part in an attack on the enemy airfield at Sabang in July 1944, when he shot down a Japanese Zero

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse engraved: 'S/Lt (A) F. B. Heffer. R.N.Z.N.V.R. Sabang 1944', hallmarks for London 1943; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; New Zealand Service Medal, unnamed as issued, mounted Court-style for wear, minor wear, overall very fine (6)

D.S.C. London Gazette 31 October 1944, the original Recommendation states:

'For outstanding courage, skill and determination in pressing home a successful attack on a Japanese naval base at Sabang.'

Francis Bentinck Heffer was born in Wellington, New Zealand on 10 November 1919, where he farmed in the lead up to the outbreak of hostilities. Joining the Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve in 1942, he undertook pilot training in the U.S.A. and was commissioned as an Acting Sub. Lieutenant (A.) in May 1943.

Initially appointed to No. 1838 Naval Air Squadron based in Ceylon, he later transferred to No. 1831 Squadron on the carrier H.M.S. Illustrious. And it was in this capacity that he was awarded his D.S.C. for Operation 'Crimson' on 25 July 1944. Unlike some earlier operations which had used small forces for harassment and diversion of the Japanese, Operation Crimson was 'a full-blooded operation' designed to 'make a mess' of the air base and harbour installations at Sabang and wreck any vessels found sheltering there.

As the task force withdrew, two Japanese reconnaissance aircraft tried to shadow it, but both were intercepted and shot down. Later in the afternoon, about 10 Japanese Zeros approached the force, and they too were engaged, on this occasion by 13 Corsairs. Two Zeros were shot down and another two damaged, one of those 'kills' being claimed by Heffer.

He remained actively employed in Illustrious in the Pacific until the war's end, in which period he witnessed further action, a story modestly related in his autobiography From Cowbells to Bell Bottoms, which was published in New Zealand in 1998. He died at Mount Maunganui in September 2015, aged 96.

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Sold for
£2,300

Starting price
£800