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Auction: 6007 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 399

An ´Immediate´ 1943 Bomber Command D.F.M. to Halifax Rear Gunner Flight Sergeant J. Sankey, No.10 Squadron, for Courage and Initiative After his Aircraft, en route to Attack Cologne, on the Night of 14th February 1943, was Attacked by Three Ju.88s; One Fighter was Shot Down but the Remaining Two Fatally Damaged the Halifax which Caught Fire and the Crew Bailed Out; Sankey Safely Landed Between Kempen and Crefeld, Evaded Capture, and Eventually Returned to England in July Distinguished Flying Medal G.VI.R., 1st ´Ind: Imp:´ type (1119320. F/Sgt. J. Sankey. R.A.F.), suspension loose, very fine, with Caterpillar Club gold brooch badge, with ruby eyes, reverse engraved ´Sgt J. Sankey´ Estimate £ 1,800-2,200 D.F.M. London Gazette 7.9.1943 1119320 Flight Sergeant Joseph Sankey, R.A.F.V.R. No.10 Squadron, jointly listed with Flying Officer R. Taylor (D.F.C.) and Flying Officer A. Hagan (D.F.C.). Flight Sergeant Sankey´s Recommendation, dated 21.8.1943, states ´Flight Sergeant Sankey was the rear gunner of a crew of a Halifax aircraft of No.10 Squadron which was detailed to attack Cologne on the night of 14th February 1943. On the way to the target, the aircraft was attacked by three Ju.88s. One they shot down but the Halifax was hit and immediately caught fire. The pilot gave the order to bail out. Flight Sergeant Sankey landed between Kempen and Crefeld. After walking some distance, a man was met, and Flight Sergeant Sankey eventually arrived safely back in this country (M.I.9/F/P.G.(-) 1324 refers). For the courage and initiative shown by this N.C.O. in making his escape, I recommend the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.´ Flight Sergeant Joseph Sankey, D.F.M., born 16.10.1920; native of Blackpool, Lancashire; enlisted Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, October 1940; posted 10 Squadron, Melbourne, Yorkshire (Halifaxes), October 1942; flew in eight operational sorties including: Genoa (2); Lorient; Minelaying, 9.1.1943, in Halifax II DG230 V, piloted by Sergeant Illingworth, ´Laid mines in area allotted at 1828 hrs from 900ft weather was heavy.... this aircraft was attacked by a JU88 from astern at 100 yards range. Hits were sustained which caused a hole in the starboard elveator, many holes in the fuselage, the trailing aerial was shot away.... Both gunners replied...... Safe landing at Pocklington´ (Operations Record refers); and on an attack to Cologne, 14.2.1943, Sankey took off from Melbourne at 1632 hours in Halifax II DT788 ZA - E, pilotted by Sergeant Illingworth, and was shot down by night fighters at 2020 hours, crashed near Velden (Holland); the crew baled out, one was killed, five were taken prisoner of war and Sankey, ´was the last to leave the plane. I landed in a large garden somewhere between Kempen and Crefeld [Germany]. About a quarter of a mile away I saw our aircraft burning, and I think it was completely wrecked. I took off my parachute and mae west and hid them in a wood. I then opened my aids box, transferred the contents to my pocket, and buried the box. I started walking in a North Westerly direction. About 0100 hrs (15 Feb) I came to a canal. I followed this until I came to a bridge, which I crossed. I then realised that the canal made a circuit, and was about to turn back on my tracks, when I saw a torch flash and a voice in English called out "Are you English? We are friends". I approached the voice, and found a young Dutch boy who had been sent to work on a farm in Germany. He had with him a companion of about the same age. They told me that our engineer, Sgt. King, was in a house nearby. This boy took me to his room at the farm where he worked, which was owned by some Germans. I produced the maps which I had taken from my aids box and he showed me my approximate position. He told me that he had a brother living on the other side of the frontier in a village which I believe to be Velden. He said he could not take me there, but would tell me how to reach the village. However, after I had given him my Irvine coat and 200 of the Dutch guilders which I found in my purse, he said he would take me there himself. We crossed the border at about 0300 hrs (15 Feb) almost due East of Velden. There was no control. He roused his brother and explained to him who I was. The boy seemed very scared and immediately went out to get other help. From this point my journey was arranged for me.´ (M.I.9 Debrief refers). Flight Sergeant Sankey returned to England 24.7.1943.

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