Beschreibung:

Sold by Order of the recipient’s Family for the benefit of the Bomber Command Memorial and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund The exceptional and rare Second War D.S.O., D.F.C., D.F.M. group of seven awarded to Group Captain W. D. G. ‘Four-Run’ Watkins, Royal Air Force, who after serving as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery (Territorial Army) from 1929, joined the R.A.F. in 1936 as an Armourer and at the outbreak of the Second World War was serving as an Air Observer with 75 (New Zealand) Squadron. Serving with 149 Squadron in 1940, he was awarded the D.F.M. and was commissioned in September of that year. Mentioned in Despatches the following year, for his exceptional bomb aiming and navigation skill during his second tour Watkins was awarded the D.F.C. in 1942. A third tour as Air Bomber with 214 Squadron followed in 1943, after which he was appointed Acting Wing Commander and in 1944 he commenced a fourth tour as Commanding Officer of 15 Squadron; possibly the first such appointment for an Observer. At times serving as Master Bomber, he was shot down over Germany in November 1944. Bailing out with his clothes and parachute on fire, he was taken prisoner, being held at Stalag Luft 1 as the highest ranking British Officer, until released in May 1945. By early 1947 Watkins had logged an incredible 600 plus operational and over 400 passenger hours, and his four War-time tours would equate to approximately 120 bombing operations. Post War, he continued to serve, with Testing and Armaments, ultimately attaining the rank of Group Captain Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated 1944, and the base of the lower arm additionally privately engraved ‘W. D. G. W. Sept. 1944’, with integral top riband bar; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1942, and the edges of the lower arms additionally privately engraved ‘44828 S/Ldr. W. D. G. Watkins. R.A.F.; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (534190. Sgt. W. D. G. Watkins. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted court-style as worn, nearly extremely fine and a rare combination of awards (7) £12,000-£15,000 Footnote One of only 18 D.S.O., D.F.C., and D.F.M. combination awarded to the Royal Air Force for the Second World War. D.S.O. London Gazette 7 November 1944. The recommendation states: ‘ ‘Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has participated in a large number of sorties. He has continued to display the highest standard of skill, courage and leadership, qualities which have been reflected in the efficiency and fine fighting spirit of the squadron he commands. His devotion to duty has been unfailing.’ D.F.C. London Gazette 4 December 1942. The recommendation states: ‘Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal this bomb aimer has participated in many operational sorties. In October, 1942, he took part in an attack on Genoa and made 4 runs over the target area to ensure his bombs would strike their objective. On a previous occasion he was detailed to act as navigator and bomb aimer on a sortie over Hamburg. Despite the terrifically heavy defences, he made 4 runs over the target and obtained 2 excellent photographs. Squadron Leader Watkins always displays great determination to locate and bomb the target. His coolness and courage under fire are outstanding and his devotion to duty has been a high example.’ D.F.M. London Gazette 7 June 1940. The recommendation states: ‘Sergeant Watkins was the observer and bomb aimer in an aircraft which carried out an attack on a large convoy of enemy transport one night in May 1940. Five runs were made over the target, at heights between one thousand and fifteen hundred feet and in the face of anti-aircraft fire and continuous searchlight activity. Sergeant Watkins displayed great coolness and determination throughout the operation. He has been engaged in several