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Auction: 6007 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 392

The ´Immediate´ and Highly Emmotive South Turin Fiat Raid D.F.M. Group of Five to Sterling 2nd Pilot Flight Sergeant L.A. Hyder, No. 149 Squadron, For Conspicuous Gallantry, Who Although Seriously Wounded Displayed the Highest Devotion to his Captain, Flight Sergeant Middleton who was Awarded the Victoria Cross for this Operation, on the Night of 28th/29th November 1942 Distinguished Flying Medal G.VI.R., 1st ´Ind: Imp:´ type (1366018. F/Sgt. L.A. Hyder. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe, with Caterpillar Club, gold brooch attached to riband, reverse engraved ´F/S. L.A. Hyder´; Defence and War Medals, nearly extremely fine, with congratulatory Postagram for Air Marshal ´Bomber´ Harris, dated 28.1.1943, letter confirming membership of the Caterpillar Club with Membership Card and several portrait photographs (5) Estimate £ 6,000-8,000 D.F.M. London Gazette 12.2.1943 1366018 Flight Sergeant Leslie Anderson Hyder 149 (East India) Squadron, jointly listed with Flight Sergeant D. Cameron (D.F.M.); Sergeant H.W. Gough (D.F.M.); Flying Officer G.R. Royde (D.F.C.); Pilot Officer N.E. Skinner (D.FC.). Flight Sergeant Hyder´s Recommendation, dated 19.1.1943, states ´Flight Sergeant Hyder was second pilot in a crew detailed to carry out a low-level attack against the Fiat works to the South of Turin on the night of 28th/29th November, 1942. Whilst over the target area, the aircraft was flying at low level. A large hole was blown in the port mainplane by light flak fire. This damage caused some difficulty in lateral control and Flight Sergeant Hyder rendered assistance by helping the Captain of the aircraft [the late Flight Sergeant Middleton, V.C.] to maintain control when another light flak shell burst in the centre of the cockpit wounding Flight Sergeant Hyder in the face and legs and also rendering the Captain of the aircraft temporarily unconscious. At this time, the aircraft was flying at a height of 2,000 feet but, owing to the temporary loss of control, the aircraft dived to within 800 feet of the ground before control was regained by Flight Sergeant Hyder. As the first pilot was still unconscious, Flight Sergeant Hyder decided it would be impossible to attack the target and in order to make use of the bomb load, he closed the bomb doors and started to climb. The bombs were dropped shortly afterwards from 1,500 feet on the outskirts of Turin. Shortly after this, the Captain regained consciousness and sent Flight Sergeant Hyder back to the bed to receive first aid treatment. He would not, however, remain there and insisted on returning to the second pilot´s seat as he feared that the Captain might once more lose consciousness. He remained at the Captain´s side throughout the return journey of 4 and half hours to this country. On crossing the English coast, it was found necessary to abandon the aircraft and Flight Sergeant Hyder was assisted in bailing out from the forward escape hatch. It is considered that Flight Sergeant Hyder´s quick thinking in the face of considerable difficulties and pain when he was wounded over the target area was responsible for the return of the aircraft over this country. His courage and devotion to duty in remaining beside his Captain throughout the return journey are worthy of high praise and he is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.´ Remarks by Station Commander; ´Strongly recommended. This N.C.O. displayed the utmost gallantry and devotion to his Captain and crew throughout this perilous flight.´ V.C. London Gazette 15.1.1943 Aus.402745 Flight Sergeant Rawdon Hume Middleton, Royal Australian Air Force (missing), No. 149 Squadron, ´Flight Sergeant Middleton was captain and first pilot of a Stirling aircraft detailed to attack the Fiat Works at Turin one night in November, 1942. Great difficulty was experienced in climbing to 12,000 feet to cross the Alps, which led to excessive consumption of fuel. So dark was the night that the mountain peaks were almost invisible. During the crossing Flight Sergeant Middleton had to decide whether to proceed or turn back, there being barley sufficient fuel for the return journey. Flares were sighted ahead and he continued the mission and even dived to 2,000 feet to identify the target, despite the difficulty of regaining height. Three flights were made over Turin at this low altitude before the target was identified. The aircraft was then subjected to fire from light anti-aircraft guns. A large hole appeared in the port main plane which made it difficult to maintain lateral control. A shell then burst in the cockpit, shattering the windscreen and wounding both pilots. Apiece of shell splinter tore into the side of Flight Sergeant Middleton´s face, destroying his right eye and exposing the bone over his eye. He was probably wounded also in the body or legs. The second pilot received wounds in the head and both legs bled profusely. The wireless operator was also wounded in the leg. Flight Sergeant Middleton became unconscious and the aircraft dived to 800 feet before control was regained by the second pilot, who took the aircraft up to 1500 feet and released the bombs. There was still light flak, some very intense, and the aircraft was hit many times. The three gunners replied continuously until the rear turret was put out of action. Flight Sergeant Middleton had now recovered consciousness and, when clear of the target, ordered the second pilot back to receive first aid. Before this was completed the latter insisted on returning to the cockpit, as the captain could see very little and could only speak with loss of blood and great pain. Course was set for base and the crew now faced an Alpine crossing and a homeward flight in a damaged aircraft, with insufficient fuel. The possibilities of abandoning the air-craft or landing in Northern France were discussed but Flight Sergeant Middleton expressed the intention of trying to make the English coast, so that his crew could leave the aircraft by parachute. Owing to his wounds and diminishing strength, he knew that, by then, he would have little or no chance of saving himself. After four hours, the French coast was reached and here the aircraft, flying at 6,000 feet, was once more engaged and hit by intense light anti-aircraft fire. Flight Sergeant Middleton was still at the controls and mustered sufficient strength to take evasive action. After crossing the Channel there was only sufficient fuel for 5 minutes flying. Flight Sergeant Middleton ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft while he flew parallel with the coast fro a few miles, after which he intended to head out to sea. Five of the of the crew left the aircraft safely, while two remained to assist Flight Sergeant Middleton. The aircraft crashed in the sea and the bodies of the front gunner and flight engineer were recovered the following day. Their gallant captain was apparently unable to leave the aircraft and his body has not been traced. Flight Sergeant Middleton was determined to attack the target regardless of the consequences and not to allow his crew to fall into enemy hands. While all the crew displayed heroism of a high order, the urge to do so came from Flight Sergeant Middleton, whose fortitude and strength of will made possible the completion of the mission. His devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds is unsurpassed in the annals of the Royal Air Force.´ Flight Sergeant Leslie Anderson Hyder, D.F.M., served with 149 Squadron, Lakenheath, Suffolk (Stirlings), and took off from Lakenheath at 1814 hours, 28.11.1942, in Stirling I BF32 OJ-H for operations over Turin; 228 aircraft took part in this night raid-117 Lancasters, 47 Stirlings, 45 Halifaxes, and 19 Wellingtons; Hyder´s plane was hit three times, before the order was given to bale out; five of the crew of eight managed to bale out before the Stirling crashed at 0300 hours into the sea of Dymchurch, Kent. One Wellington and two Stirilings were lost during this raid.

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