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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 253

(x) A scarce 1945 North-West Europe D.F.C. group of six awarded to Captain A. D. Cover, Royal Artillery, who flew Auster spotter aeroplanes from the time he landed in Normandy on 18 June 1944-March 1945, carrying out some 134 Ops in extremely hazardous conditions

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1945'; 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., Territorial (Lt. A. D. Cover. R.A.), light contact marks to the last, otherwise good very fine (6)

A total of 101 D.F.C.s were awarded to the Royal Artillery during the Second World War.

D.F.C. London Gazette 26 July 1945, the original recommendation states:

'Captain Cover has at all times shown exceptional keenness, an exhaustible enthusiasm for operational flying and a genius for finding targets. Since landing in Normandy on 18 Jun 44, he has carried out 134 successful shoots of which 41 were during the period 8 Feb. to 28 Mar 45 in support of the advance through the Siegfried Line and across the R. Rhine.

During these operations poor visibility and the smoke of battle have at times made the work of an Air O.P. pilot almost impossible. Undeterred by these difficulties, and disregarding the considerable risk of being hit by enemy flak or by shells from our own massed guns, Captain Cover flew as far forward as was necessary in order to find targets, even though at times this involved flying over the front line.

On one occasion on 26 Mar 45, Capt. Cover took off at 1105hrs for a sortie of 1hr. 10 mins duration. He observed three enemy guns at 07586 (Ref. 1/100,000 Map, Sheet P.1) and successfully engaged them with 64 Med Regt R.A. He then observed two tanks entering an orchard at 085583 and engaged them with a troop of the same Regt. He later saw three enemy guns at 126586 and observed a bombard on them with 64 and 121 Med. Regts. R.A. The neutralization of these enemy guns materially assisted the infantry of 51 (H) Div. at a time when they were suffering heavy casualties from enemy artillery fire.'

Remarks of Brigadier Commanding No.5 A.G.R.A.:

'Capt Cover has consistently sought out and found hostile enemy Batteries and has allowed nothing to stop him going over the enemy lines on countless occasions in his determination to knock out the enemy guns. His complete and constant disregard of danger has undoubtedly enabled him to achieve great success on many occasions and saved the lives of our infantry.'

Remarks by Air or Other Officer Commanding:

'This Officer has given long and gallant service as an Air O.P. pilot and I recommend him for the non-immediate award of the D.F.C.'

Arthur David Cover was born on 2 June 1917. He joined the Royal Artillery and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 10 August 1940; War Service Lieutenant on 10 February 1942 and Temporary Captain on 19 October 1943. Cover joined No. 658 Squadron which was formed at RAF Old Sarum on 30 April 1943 with the Taylorcraft Auster III, the Squadron was given the Auster IV in March 1944. The Squadron role was to support the 21st Army Group serving in France just after the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Fighting in the break-out from Normandy it followed the army across the countries and into Germany. They were given the Auster V in August of 1944 and Cover would have spent most of his time flying these. His total hours flown at the time of his D.F.C. recommendation was 201 hours with a total of 199 operational sorties. In October 1945 the Squadron left for India, it is not confirmed if Cover went with the Squadron, however, it was disbanded on 15 October 1946. Cover died at Chichester on 19 March 1979.



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

Sold for
£3,000

Starting price
£1900