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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 127

The campaign group of three awarded Warrant Officer D. Blair, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was shot down whilst Pilot of Bristol Blenheim R2772 during the costly Aalborg Raid of 13 August 1940, when all eleven aircraft that reached their target were shot down

Blair suffered severe facial wounds - that were assumed to be mortal - and attempted to escape on no less than six occasions whilst a Prisoner of War; he pubished memories of his Wartime experiences in Clipped Wings, a copy of which accompanies the Lot

1939-1945 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Air Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R. (W/O D. Blair (742018) R.A.F.V.R.), good very fine (3)

Donald Blair was born on 17 December 1918 and was training to be an accountant upon his joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in September 1938. At that time he was living at The Chimes, Parsonage Lane, Frindsbury, Rochester.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, he had completed his training and was a Pilot with No. 82 Squaddron and destined for Norway.

Aalborg Raid - down and out

Blair was Captain of Blenheim IV R2772, which got 'wheels up' from R.A.F. Watton, Norfolk, on 13 August 1940. The task force for the raid on Aalborg airfield comprised a total of 12 Bristol Blenheims. British Intelligence had wind that some 50 Ju.88 bombers were massing there for 'Eagle Day' together with Ju.52 troop transport aircraft for the impending invasion of the Isles of Great Britain. Aalborg was the limit of range for the Blenheims and the bombing height was considered to be 20,000ft. Each aircraft was to carry four 250lb high explosive bombs and eight 25lb splinter bombs. The crews were not convinced on the success of this mission before they even entered their aeroplanes.

The crews flew at 8,000ft given the visibility was poor, not the originally suggested 20,000ft, one plane returned mid-flight due to a "fuel issue" leaving the remaining eleven. Upon reaching the target they dropped to 3,000ft. They encountered flak as they closed on the airfield before encountering Me.109s which had been scrambled from the nearby fighter airfield. Blair's aircraft dropped their payload but were soon hit upon by the fighters, they lost an engine and the aeroplane caught fire. Blair aimed to ditch in shallow waters north of Egholm but was unaware that boulders below the surface were waiting to rip open their under-belly. Greenwood and Macgrath found themselves floating in water with the aid of their lifejackets whilst Blair was considered dead as his face was so badly disfigured. Macgrath had suffered a smashed hip and shoulder along with a broken leg and severe facial injuries. The crew were rescued from the sea by the locals but with the best will in the world sadly had to hand them over to the Germans who took them to the hospital in Kamillianerklinikken, Aalborg.

Six of the Best

Upon recovery Blair and Greenwood were transferred to Germany and Blair set about doing his bit for the War effort, despite being 'behind the wire'. He made half a dozen attempts to escape:

1 - Stalag Luft 1 Barth Volgelsang - 7 October - attempted to leave working party
2- Same place - attempted to leave dental party
3 - Same place - 8 February 1943 - tried to escape with the aid of a homemade uniform and tried to walk out through the camp gate, however he was recognised by one of the Guards
4 & 5 - Same place - attempted to break out by cutting the wire
6 - In transit to Prussia by train - 29 October 1943 - destroyed the side of a railway wagon but was captured.

Having reached Stalag Luft VI and Stalag Luft IV, Blair was forced to endure the 600-mile Death March, eventually being liberated at Luttov on 2 May 1945.

Of his comrades, Greenwood was transferred to Stalag Luft III and several other Camps. Macgrath's fate was slightly better despite his injuries. Having undergone surgery, he broke out from a French camp and made a 'home run', earning an M.M. in the process.

Blair made it home in 1945 and was awarded this Air Efficiency as per London Gazette 16 October 1947. That same year he published Clipped Wings, a signed copy accompanies the Lot.

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Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£350