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Auction: 15002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 17

A Good Second War 1944 'Mosquito Pilot's' D.F.C. Group of Five to Flight Lieutenant A.G. Willers, 21 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Who Flew In At Least 70 Operational 'Wide Reaching' Sorties, Over France, Holland and into Germany, Including In Support Of Operation Market Garden, 17-25.9.1944
a) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1944'
b) 1939-1945 Star
c) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Bar
d) Defence and War Medals, generally very fine or better, mounted for wear, with the following related items:
- Two Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot's Flying Log Books (4.12.1941-30.5.1946), originally bound together, but both badly water damaged and now lacking spine, entries illegible in places
- Seven Photographs of recipient from various stages of his career (lot)

D.F.C. London Gazette 29.12.1944 Flight Lieutenant Albert George Willers (124693), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 21 Squadron
The Recommendation states: 'F/L Willers has now completed his first tour of operational duty during which he has carried out 50 sorties. These have been chiefly night attacks on enemy road and rail communications in and near the battle area and in addition two high-level daylight and one low-level sortie. During all these sorties F/L Willers has shown great determination and has been successful in attacking trains and convoys on many occasions.
A notable sortie was on the 4th July when a train was attacked despite flak opposition and six coaches were set on fire. On the night of the 30th August he attacked a train near Abbeville and received flak damage to the port engine at a low altitude which necessitated feathering the propeller.
Despite much low cloud he managed with great skill to fly his machine to base and execute a masterly landing. This officer has completed a successful and long tour of concentrated operational flying an in my opinion well deserves a D.F.C.'

Flight Lieutenant Albert George Willers, D.F.C., initially served as a Leading Aircraftsman with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second War; carried out initial training as a Pilot at No. 32 E.F.T.S., Bowden, Canada, from December 1941, and No. 34 S.F.T.S., Medicine Hat, Canada, from February 1942; posted for instructional duties in Bristol Bolingbrokes to No. 31 B.& G.S., July 1942; having returned to the UK he carried out further training in Mosquitoes at No. 36 O.T.U., from September 1943; after further training at No. 60 O.T.U. he was posted for operational flying to 21 Squadron (Mosquitoes), Hunsdon, Hertfordshire, March 1944; he flew in 70 operational sorties with the squadron, mainly over France, Holland and into Germany; having particular success in attacks on transport, Marshalling Yards, and over battle areas; whilst a large percentage of the squadron's work was carried out at night, he was also engaged in daylight operations, including as part of Operation Market Garden, 17.9.1944, 'Ops. Daylight Low Level On Barracks at Nijmegen In Support Of Airbourne Landings. Intense Heavy & Light Flak Experienced At Several Points. 1 A/C Missing' (Log Book refers); moved with the squadron to France in February 1945; continued operations in the same vein, including, 22.2.1945, 'Ops. "Clarion" Patrol-Meinburg-Schwarmstedt-Hanover-Wunsdorf. Leading Box of 4 A/C. Bombed & Strafed Two Engines & Trucks At Schwarmstedt Stn. Followed By P/O Bolton. Hits On Both Engines. Intense Light Flak From Train At Lemforde. Attacked Two Trucks On Road N. of Elspeet. Strikes. Flak Reported By P/O Bolton At Several Points. 8 A/C Missing' (Ibid); with his long tour completed he transferred to No. 1 Ferry Unit, April 1945; discharged July 1946.

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Sold for
£1,900