bentley priory - Spink
bentley priory - Spink
bentley priory - Spink
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September 6, 2012 - LONDON<br />
21<br />
21<br />
A Second War 1942 ‘Wellington Rear Gunner’s’<br />
D.F.M. Group of Seven to Flight Sergeant, Later<br />
Flight Lieutenant, G. Williams, Royal Air Force,<br />
Who Shot a Me.109 Down Over the German<br />
Frisian Islands, 17.7.1941<br />
a) Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (818176.<br />
F/Sgt. G. Williams. R.A.F.)<br />
b) 1939-1945 Star<br />
c) Air Crew Europe Star<br />
d) Africa Star<br />
e) Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaf<br />
f) Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R. (Plt. Off. G. Williams<br />
R.A.F.V.R.), nearly extremely fine or better, with the<br />
following related documents &c.:<br />
- (2) R.A.F. Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log<br />
Books, covering the periods 10.10.1940-3.9.1941<br />
and 15.10.1941-26.4.1944 respectively<br />
- Air Council enclosure for the Second War awards<br />
- Buckingham Palace ticket for the Investiture of the<br />
recipient’s D.F.M., dated 15.12.1942<br />
- A small and incomplete collection of Player’s<br />
Cigarettes Cards ‘Aircraft of the Royal Air Force’ (lot)<br />
£2,200-2,600<br />
D.F.M. London Gazette 15.5.1942 818176 Flight Sergeant<br />
George Williams, Auxiliary Air Force, No. 104 Squadron.<br />
The Recommendation states: ‘This air gunner has taken part<br />
in 37 operational sorties. His devotion to duty is such that he<br />
has often volunteered to undertake sorties in the place of air<br />
gunners who have been sick. On one of these occasions, he<br />
shot down an enemy fighter which attempted to attack his<br />
aircraft after it had been damaged by anti-aircraft fire. In an<br />
attack on Brest, in daylight, Sergeant Williams rendered<br />
valuable assistance to his formation leader by giving accurate<br />
directions to evade numerous enemy fighters. Throughout<br />
his operational career this airman has displayed a high<br />
standard of morale. He has rendered excellent service to his<br />
squadron gunnery leader.’<br />
Flight Lieutenant George Williams, D.F.M., A.E.,<br />
enlisted in the Royal Air Force and whilst carrying out initial<br />
training with No. 15 O.T.U., Harwell, took part as a<br />
Wellington tail gunner in his first operational sortie,<br />
17.1.1941, ‘Nickel Raid, Paris, Lille, Amien’; after<br />
89<br />
completing training posted for operational flying to No. 104<br />
Squadron (Wellingtons), Driffield, April 1941; flew in at least<br />
37 operational sorties including: Wilhelmshaven, 8.5.1941:<br />
‘Only us on the target’ (Log Book refers); on a subsequent<br />
mission, 17.7.1941: ‘engaged 2 Me.109s over Frisian<br />
Islands. Claimed as probables’ (ibid), before the daylight<br />
attack on Brest Harbour, 24.7.1941: ‘Nine German fighters<br />
seen, hit by flak, returned safely’ (ibid). In August 1941<br />
Williams took part in a raid on Dortmund, and had to<br />
contend with more than the usual flak: ‘Bombing successful.<br />
Struck by lightning on return. Fired on by British Navy. Hit<br />
in rear turret and port engine. Made forced landing at<br />
Cranwell. Port engine on fire. Missed death by two inches.’<br />
(ibid). This was followed up by a night raid on Duisburg,<br />
28.8.1941: ‘Encountered very heavy search light belts and<br />
held in two cones, came down to 2,500 feet in second cone<br />
and shot out three search lights, sprayed others, and all went<br />
out. Used all my ammo, and attacked by fighters’ (ibid).<br />
When returning from a raid over Brest, 3.9.1941, his<br />
Wellington’s port engine caught fire, and he crashed into a<br />
corn field near RAF Leeming, resulting in an extended stay in<br />
Harrogate Hospital. After a period of recuperation he moved<br />
with the Squadron to Malta, and operated out of Luqa, in<br />
raids over Italy and North Africa, including Tripoli,<br />
22.10.1941 ‘After ships in the Harbour. Came down to 2000<br />
feet. Good shooting at searchlights- think I got one. Sprayed<br />
ground troops. Saw them fall like flies’ (ibid); El Mallehah<br />
Aerodrome, 5.11.1941 ‘Diversion raid went in at 1,300 feet<br />
but came out damn smart through accurate light flak.<br />
Starboard engine stopped but Captain got it going again.<br />
Went down again gun straffing, made the rats sit up and<br />
think fired 2,000 rounds’ (ibid). Further sorties included<br />
operations over Naples, Benghazi, Castel Benito, and Tripoli,<br />
26.12.1941: ‘ First stick of bombs seen to hit warehouse on<br />
Spanish mole starting big fire. Second stick fell alongside<br />
ship, must have hit it or very near miss. Best bombing trip<br />
ever been on. Saw Axis troops so had some fun. 1,000<br />
Rounds, left lorries on fire’ (ibid). He completed his tour,<br />
7.3.1942: ‘Now for Blighty and a rest’ (ibid). Subsequent<br />
Instructional postings included No. 1 A.A.S., RAF Manby,<br />
and No. 7 A.G.S., RAF Stormy Down.<br />
Commissioned Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Volunteer<br />
Reserve, 17.2.1944, he was promoted Flying Officer,<br />
17.8.1944, and following the end of the War was awarded<br />
the Air Efficiency Award, 23.5.1946. Promoted Flight<br />
Lieutenant, 26.9.1954, Williams relinquished his<br />
commission, 25.11.1960.