bentley priory - Spink

THE BENTLEY PRIORY BATTLE OF BRITAIN TRUST APPEAL CHARITY AUCTION
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A Good 1943 Bomber Command ‘Immediate’ D.F.M. to Lancaster Navigator Sergeant, Later Flight Lieutenant,
L.C.A. Dowdell, Royal Air Force, For His Gallantry In Pressing Home A Raid Over Leipzig, 20.10.1943, and
Subsequent Safe Return, Despite His Lancaster Having Been on Fire For Over Four Hours
Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1395833. Sgt. L.C.A. Dowdell. R.A.F.), extremely fine, in named card box of issue,
with the following related items:
- City and Guilds of London Institute Technological Examination Prize Medal, the edge inscribed ‘Leslie Charles Andrew
Dowdell, First Prize, Electrical Installation Work, Course C, 1954.’
- Postagram to the recipient from Air Chief Marshal Sir A.T. ‘Bomber’ Harris congratulating him on the award of his
D.F.M., dated 30.10.1943 and signed ‘A.T. Harris’
- Letter to the recipient from Air Vice-Marshal E.A.B. Rice congratulating him on the award of his D.F.M.
- Two newspaper cuttings regarding the incident for which Dowdell was awarded the D.F.M.
- Eight group and individual photographs of the recipient
£1,800-2,200
D.F.M. London Gazette 16.11.1943 1395833 Sergeant Leslie Charles Andrew Dowdell, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 100
Squadron [in a joint citation with Warrant Officer Claude Edward White (awarded the C.G.M.)]
‘One night in October, 1943, Warrant Officer White and Sergeant Dowdell were pilot and navigator respectively of an aircraft detailed to
attack Leipzig. Soon after leaving the airfield, the intercommunication system became unserviceable, and later after crossing the enemy
coast, one of the bomber’s engines became defective. Before the propeller could be feathered, the engine burst into flames. An extinguisher
failed to put out the fire completely and it burned sufficiently bright to illuminate the fuselage and tailplane. In spite of this, Warrant
Officer White flew on to the target and bombed it. On the homeward flight, Sergeant Dowdell displayed exceptional skill and resource
and, in spite of great difficulties, unerringly guided his pilot to base. The defective engine was still alight when the airfield was reached but
Warrant Officer White effected a masterly landing. As the bomber touched down the flames from the engine shot upwards and threatened
to envelop the bomber but Warrant Officer White coolly ensured that his crew safely disembarked whilst he attended to the switches and
petrol cocks. In serious circumstances, this gallant pilot displayed skill, coolness and tenacity which inspired all, while Sergeant Dowdell
proved a valuable member of aircraft crew and supported his captain valiantly.’
The Recommendation, dated 21.10.1943, states: ‘On the night of the 20th-21st October 1943, Sergeant Dowdell was the Navigator of
a heavy bomber which carried out a singularly resolute attack on Leipzig. When still well over 100 miles from the target, the port outer
engine caught fire. In spite of such a misfortune, his inspiring influence was instrumental in pressing home an attack. On the return journey
severe icing and electrical storms were again encountered but by careful and accurate D.R. navigation he maintained the track required.
As the port outer engine was unserviceable and continually bursting into flames and thereby rendering his navigational equipment noneffective,
he displayed unusual initiative and technical knowledge in connecting up leads to another source of supply, thus enabling him
to have the full use of the equipment on the return journey. Sergeant Dowdell has continually shown the greatest interest and initiative
in the technical aspects of his work and has proved of great value in training new crews in the use of special apparatus. He has now
completed 25 successful sorties and it is recommended that such a fine record of achievement, combined with his enthusiasm and
determination to inflict the maximum damage on the German centres of industry be recognised by the immediate award of the
Distinguished Flying Medal.’
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