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Auction: 6017 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 130

A Bomber Command 1940 ´Wilhelmshaven Raid´ D.F.C., and Dunkirk Low Altitude Attack Bar Group of Four to Squadron Leader J.W. Stephens, Royal Air Force, Who Piloted the Only Blenheim from 107 Squadron to Return from Attacking the Admiral Scheer, the Emden, and the Admiral Hipper; Shot Down and Made Prisoner of War the Same Year; Later Became a Prominent Member of the ´X´ Organisation in the Infamous Stalag Luft III, Sagan; He Took Part in No Less than Twelve Attempts to Escape by Tunnelling Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse dated ´1940´, and Second Award Bar; 1939-1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, with Atlantic Bar; War Medal, M.I.D. Oakleaf, good very fine or better, with riband bar; (2) cloth insignia; Pilot´s Flying Log Book (28.9.1945-21.4.1952), in addressed envelope of issue, this being the only surving Log Book listed in Air Ministry Records; a crudely fashioned compass, reverse worded ´Sagan Stalag Luft 3 Germany 1944 Pat.7´; a number of photographs and newspaper cuttings The Group with the following archive of Documents: - Commission appointing J.W. Stephens, as Acting Pilot Officer, R.A.F., dated 18.12.1937 -Mention in Despatches Certificate, with envelope of issue - letter of congratulation from Air Marshal Sir Basil Embry to recipient´s father regarding Stephens´ award of a Bar to his D.F.C., dated 5.12.1940 - letters to the recipient´s father from the Air Ministry and Stephens´ Commanding Officer regarding him being listed as missing in action and subsequent confirmation of his status as a P.O.W.; and (2) telegrams to the same effect - (2) pocket diaries for 1940 and 1941 respectively, the last being a Dutch diary kept whilst as a Prisoner of War - (19) letters written from the recipient whilst a P.O.W.; a pencil sketch of Stephens drawn whilst he was imprisoned in Stalag Luft III - post War correspondence from a German P.O.W., who had pulled Stephens from the wreckage of his plane, after he had been shot down - telegram of condolence to Stephens parents after he had been killed in an air accident; letter of condolence from Air Marshal Sir Basil Embry (lot) Estimate £ 3,500-4,000D.F.C. London Gazette 20.2.1940 40028 Flying Officer John William Stephens 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force, ´For gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of Air Operations during period 3.9.1939-31.12.1939.´ D.F.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 22.11.1940 40028 Acting Flight Lieutenant John William Stephens D.F.C., 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force, The Recommendation states, ´On 2 June 1940 Flying Officer Stephens was leader of a aircraft ordered to attack an enemy battery on the French coast, which had been harassing our naval forces engaged in the evacuation of Dunkirk. He showed great courage and determination in pressing home his attack at a very low altitude in the face of intense A.A. fire, which enabled the section to bomb the target with conspicuous success. Flying Officer Stephens was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 20th February, 1940, for the good work he had carried out during the first five months of the war, and since that time he has continued to carry out valuable operational flying. He has displayed great determination and initiative on all occasions.´ M.I.D. London Gazette 31.1.1947 Squadron Leader J.W. Stephens, D.F.C., Reserve of Air Force Officers, ´For services whilst a prisoner of war.´ Squadron Leader John William Stephens, D.F.C., born Calcutta, India, 20.9.1917; Acting Pilot Officer Royal Air Force, 9.8.1937; posted Pilot Officer No. 10 Flying Training School, 31.5.1938; posted 822 Squadron (Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance Squadron), 24.8.1938; posted 107 Squadron (Blenheims) Wattisham, Suffolk, 7.3.1939; flew with the Squadron in operational sorties including, 4.9.1939, Wilhelmshaven, ´He was the only member of 107 Squadron to return from the first raid of the War when the attack was carried out on the German battle fleet at Wilhelmshaven´ (Letter from Air Marshal Sir B. Embry refers); Flying Officer 31.12.1939; Flight Lieutenant 31.12.1940; flew operational sorties with the Squadron until 23.6.1940, when he was piloting Blenheim IV N3593, ´T/O 1650 Wattisham. Crashed in Holland.´(Bomber Command Losses of the Second War, refers). Stephens was wounded and taken prisoner of war, whilst the two other members of his crew were killed, ´I have rescued Lieut. Stevens (sic.) out of the wreckage of his plane and rushed him on the fastest possible way to the "Wilhelmina Hospital" at Amsterdam. Lieut. Stevens could only be saved by means of a blood transfusion. I volunteered as the blood donor.´ (Letter from a German soldier trying to obtain Stephens´ address, dated 14.12.1946 refers). Stephens received a Bar to his D.F.C. whilst as a P.O.W., having been recommended a month before his crash, ´As I was his Commanding Officer from the beginning of the War until the end of May I know how well he deserved it; he always did a magnificent job of work and personally I think his conduct and high courage whilst in action were always up to the very highest traditions of our Service and in fact, I doubt if they have been surpassed in this War. I sympathise with you on him being a prisoner, but I suppose you must consider yourself lucky that he is still alive......... I feel sure that if your son gets the slightest chance he will get away, as I have not yet met a Hun that is good enough to hold him.´ (letter From Air Marshal Sir Basil Embry, dated 5.12.1940, refers). Stephens spent time recovering from his wound in the Wilhelmina Hospital, Amsterdam, 23.6.1940-13.1.1941, before being moved to the French P.O.W. Hospital in Berilin for a further three month period. Having fully recuperated he was imprisoned in: Stalag Luft I (Barth), 23.3.1941-April 1942, ´As I told you in my last letter, I am now at a British Camp; settling down rapidly and learning the tricks of the trade and wangles that help to make life more comfortable, as befits a "kriegie" of ten months standing. Having been shot down in June, I am also a member of the select band known as the "Blitz Boys". I am pleased to tell you that I have now graduated in toasting (a tricky business on our stoves) and am at present swotting to pass my trade tests in advanced cooking. I have also started an experimental station of my own to see in how many ways I can dish up the common spud, and I must say that I sometimes surprise myself and my room mates.....although the aforementioned mates seem almost reluctant to suffer in the cause of science.´ (´P.O.W. Letter´, dated 30.4.1941 refers); Stalag Luft III (Sagan), April 1942-October 1942; Oflag XXIB (Schubin, Poland), October 1942-April 1943; Stalg Luft III (Sagan), April 1943-27.1.1945; Stalag Luft III (Marlag), 4.2.1945-4.4.1945; on the march in North Germany, 4.4.1945-2.5.1945. During his imprisonment in Sagan, Stephens was a code letter writer for ´X´ Organisation and sent messages from the camp to I.S.9., he also made twelve attempts to escape by tunnelling, all of which were unsuccessful (M.I.9. Debrief refers), and would have been involved with the ´Great Escape´ from Sagan, which led to the escape of 76 Allied Air Force Officers. Stephens returned to service with 13 O.T.U., 10.10.1945-26.2.1946; 107 Squadron 19.3.1946-20.1.1947; Squadron Leader 1.8.1947; briefly posted to 2 Group Communication Squadron, 23.1.1947-3.4.1947, before returning to 107 Squadron, 24.6.1947-10.6.1950; posted Squadron Commander 8 Squadron (Bristol Brigands and Buckmasters), 5.2.1952, and served with the Squadron until 21.4.1952, when he was tragically killed in a crash whilst piloting Buckmaster RP209. Squadron Leader J.W. Stephens is buried in the European Cemetery, Aden.

Sold for
£6,500