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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 630

Four: Lieutenant A. W. Allen, 7th Squadron, South African Air Force

1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal 1939-45, all named '207153 A. W. Allen', sold together with an old display label, very fine (4)

A. W. Allen served with the 7th Squadron South Africa Air Force, a unit founded at Zwartkop on 12 January 1942 and saw action for the first time in Hurricanes over North Africa, although the lack of an Africa Star suggests Allen was not with them. Re-equipped with Spitfire MkVs in 1943 the squadron was deployed first to Cyprus and later Kos to cover planned landings in the Dodecanese. Unfortunately, the airfields were heavily damaged by German air attacks and after the German landings began the pilots were forced to escape through whatever means they could.

Reforming in Egypt they were posted to Italy to fly Spitfire MkIXs with No 7 Wing in April 1944. They largely flew ground attack and bomber escort missions across Italy ending the war in Lavariano in July 1945. Allen is mentioned in Official History of the South African Armed Forces in World War II, Vol VI: Eagles Victorious (1971) on page 338; sold together with typed research.


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Sold for
£60

Starting price
£60