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Auction: 3016 - Orders, Medals, Decorations & Militaria
Lot: 169

A Bomber Command D.F.C, D.F.M. Group of Seven to Halifax Air Bomber Flying Officer R.V. Payne, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse dated '1945'; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (776171 Sgt. R. Payne. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Air Crew Europe Star, with bar, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals, good very fine or better together with 13 operational target maps and recipient's Observer's and Air Gunnner's Flying Log Book covering the period March 1942 to June 1946 (7)

D.F.M. London Gazette 19.10.1943 Sergeant No. 51 Squadron
The Recommendation states 'Sergeant Payne, who joined the squadron on 19th April, 1943, has completed 22 operational sorties. He has always pressed home his attack with the utmost determination in the face of the heaviest opposition. He has always showed himself to be thoroughly imbued with offensive spirit and played his part well in a highly successful crew. On his last sortie, his aircraft crashed and burned out due to hydraulic and engine failure soon after take-off. Before the crash, he gave his Captain valuable assistance in his attempt to force-land with one engine on fire. He is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.'
D.F.C. London Gazette 25.9.1945 Pilot Officer No.10 Squadron
The Recommendation states 'Pilot Officer Payne was posted to No.10 Squadron in January, 1945 having already completed one operational tour. He has now completed his second operational tour of 23 sorties, comprising 123 operational hours. He has participated in attacks on the most heaviley defended targets in Germany including Hamburg (3 times) Cologne (3 times) Gelenkirchen (twice) Duisburg (3 times) and Essen (3 times).
This Officer has carried out his operational tours with the greatest skill and enthusiasm and has, at all times, pressed home his attacks, even in the face of the heaviest opposition, with the utmost vigour and determination. He has proved himself to be a consistently superior Air Bomber and his enthusiasm has been outstanding and is worhty of the highest praise. His fine offensive spirit and his complete disregard for danger have greatly helped to maintain a high standard of morale in his crew. On the ground he has at all times set a very fine example to the other members of the Squadron.
He was the Air Bomber of a Halifax aircraft detailed to attack Cologne on 2nd March, 1945. On the bombing run his aircraft was subjected to very intense and accurate heavy flak. Although his aircraft was being continually hit he coolly and skillfully directed his pilot to the target which was successfully bombed. His coolness and determination on this and other occasions was typical of that which he has displayed throghout his operational tours.
I consider Pilot Officer Payne an Air Bomber of outstanding courage and ability and strongly recommend that his fine operational record and strong devotion to be now recognised by the Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.'

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