Beschreibung:

A scarce 1940 Coastal Command ‘Immediate’ D.F.M. group of five awarded to Anson and Hudson pilot, and on occasion Navigator, Flight Sergeant R. H. Smith 269 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who successfully engaged U-boats, September - November 1939. A specialist Navigator, he was often employed in that capacity in the lead aircraft of strike formations - including a formation of 12 aircraft that attacked the Scharnhorst and the Admiral Hipper, 10 June 1940, and a formation of 20 aircraft that attacked a railway target at Bergen, Norway, 17 December 1940. Having been commissioned Flight Lieutenant, and converted to Liberators, Smith flew numerous operational sorties with 206 Squadron - including ‘Cork Patrols’ to stop U-boats entering the Channel during D-Day. Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (561348. F/Sgt. R. H. Smith R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for display, generally good very fine (5) £2400-2800 Footnote D.F.M. London Gazette 14 January 1941: ‘One night in December, 1940, this airman successfully navigated the leading aircraft of a formation which attacked a target 60 miles inside Norway. So well did he make use of the little he could see of the sea and mountain tops that the objective was successfully attacked in weather which seemed quite prohibitive to success. Since the beginning of the war he has carried out 138 operational flights consisting of 600 flying hours, and has carried out successful attacks against units of the enemy fleet. He has always shown skill, determination and devotion to duty of a high order.’ The original recommendation, dated 21 December 1940, states: ‘Since the outbreak of hostilities, this N.C.O. has carried out 600 hours operational flying comprising 138 operational flights over the sea and enemy territory. He successfully attacked two enemy submarines on 15th September, 1939, and 3rd November, 1939. On 10th June, 1940, Flight Sergeant Smith was Navigator to the leader of a formation of 12 aircraft which successfully carried out a pattern bombing attack on units of the enemy fleet in spite of accurate heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition. Owing to his good navigation and excellent bomb-aiming, three hits and several near misses on enemy ships were obtained. On 17th December, 1940, he navigated the leading aircraft of a striking force to a target 60 miles inland in Norway after a long sea and land crossing at night above almost unbroken cloud. So well did he make use of what little he could see of the sea and mountain tops that the objective was successfully attacked in weather which seemed quite prohibitive to success. Remarks by Station Commander: By his ability as a Navigator coupled with the determined leadership of his pilot, Flight Sergeant Smith was responsible for the target being found and attacked on 17th December, 1940. He is recommended for immediate recognition. Remarks by A.O.C.: The attached report gives details of the circumstances in which Flight Sergeant Smith successfully navigated the leading aircraft to a difficult target in mountainous country with the result that three aircraft of his section delivered a good attack. Twelve 250lb bombs plus incendiaries were carefully placed. Heavy cumulus cloud and icing conditions prevented the remaining aircraft, of which 20 set out, from attacking their objective although some of them searched over the area for as long as an hour and a half. This particular effort is backed by an outstandingly long period of operational flying with 269 Squadron, in the course of which he has shown skill, determination and devotion to duty of invariably high order. I very strongly recommend that Flight Sergeant Smith be awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.’ Reginald Harvey Smith served in the Royal Air Force as an Apprentice at R.A.F. Flowerdown, from January 1927, and moved to Cranwell when the Wireless Training School was re-homed there in 1929. After passing out, and further training, he