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Auction: 6007 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 393

A Middle East 1943 Night Fighter D.F.M. for Four Shared Victories to Beaufighter Observer Flight Sergeant J. Cockburn, No.46 Squadron, 1943; Later as Flying Officer with No.487 (R.N.Z.A.F.) Squadron (Mosquitoes) He was Killed in Action, February 1945 Distinguished Flying Medal G.VI.R., 1st ´Ind: Imp:´ type (1064663. F/Sgt. J. Cockburn. R.A.F.), heavy bruising to edge at 6 o´clock, otherwise nearly extremely fine Estimate £ 1,800-2,200 D.F.M. London Gazette 25.5.1943 Flight Sergeant John Cockburn No. 46 (Uganda) Squadron The Recommendation dated 21.2.1943 states ´This Observer joined the squadron on 8.4.1942, having served for eight months with No. 409 Squadron. His expert guidance and control have been largely responsible for the perfect record of this team in destroying four hostile aircraft in the air at night out of four combats. Although Flight Sergeant Cockburn had no previous navigational experience, he applied himself so assiduously to the task that he was able to navigate satisfactorily in little over a week with a result that when this squadron was converted from night fighters to coastal fighters, this crew were able to take their share of work immediately.´ Flying Officer John Cockburn, D.F.M., was killed in action 22.2.1945 in Operations over Mannheim, Germany, and is buried in Becklingen War Cemetery.

Sold for
£2,600