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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 226

'We were coned over the target, hit (no casualties). Only Richie could, and did get us away. Minutes later a night fighter hit us. Don Crofts and Bob Munn was [sic] badly wounded. He never complained not even when we later pulled his chute and dropped him. We had nothing to give us positions, nor courses. For hours Richie guided the twice damaged defenceless plane from one danger area to the next until at last we were lost over sea and clouds, with nothing to guide us we came very low under cloud base. It was not England. Petrol gone Richie bailed us out. In vain we took Bob with us. Cheerily Richie greeted us goodbye and slapped us on the back as we went down to jump. No man ever died more bravely. He died that I & we might be certain to live. I can still feel that last gentle pat, still hear that quiet kindly "Cheerio. Good show old boy". 3 minutes later he was dead. The plane did not burn. The 3 were buried together. Our captors were very kind. I regret I did not ask for pictures. Haven't seen the 4 N.C.O.'s since 4-3-43. None of us in least injured.'

(The remarkable testimony of Pilot Officer Taylor, written in Stalag Luft III to inform Mrs W. Richman of the heroic death of her husband)

The 1940 D.F.M. awarded to Sergeant, later Flight Lieutenant R. E. Richman, No. 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, later No. 149 Squadron, who received a posthumous 'mention' as the story of his final flight was told

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (742977. Sgt. R. E. Richman. R.A.F.), minor official correction to number, good very fine

D.F.M. London Gazette 6 June 1941, the original citation states:

'Sergeant Richman has completed 27 operations against the enemy during the course of which he has completed 162 hours operational flying. He has always shown outstanding keenness and enthusiasm. He has on more than one occasion volunteered and carried out operations on successive nights. Amongst other notable operations which he has carried out as Captain of aircraft have been low-level attacks on the Power Station near Kassel in October, 1940, at a height of 1,000 feet. He alone out of a considerable number of aircraft found the target and obtained a direct hit. On an oil target near Cologne in December, 1940, under difficult weather conditions, he again made a low-level attack at 1500 feet in spite of severe opposition and scored direct hits. His operations have always been characterised by dash and determination, but he has in addition shown cool judgement, skill and good qualities of leadership as Captain of aircraft. Sergeant Richman's ability, courage and determination under adverse weather conditions in pressing home his attacks have set an excellent example to other pilots in his squadron.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1945.

Roland Edward Richman was born at Sculcoates, East Riding, Yorkshire in 1921, the son of John and Emily Richman. He joined the Civil Air Guard before the war and was mobilised with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Initially flying Hampden's with No. 49 Squadron out of Scampton, his first sortie was in September 1940 targeting barge positions.

Further bombing raids over Germany followed with five in October and two more in November, the second of which was targeting an A.A. concentration on 24 November. Further attacks on A.A. positions followed notably at Wilhelmshaven on the night of 1-2 December. One of his most important attacks was later that month over Cologne. He saw a raid on Berline on 9 April and just a few weeks later was posted to the 14th Operational Training Unit and commissioned 13 December 1941.

Richman began to fly again with No 149 Squadron, earning a promotion to Flying Officer on 1 October 1942. Flying out of Lakenheath to Berlin on the night of 1-2 March 1943 they were coned by a mass of searchlights over the target and hit by flak. At the controls Richman was able to pull them out immediate danger, however they were unlucky and found themselves under attack from a night fighter which landed a solid blow.

Not only was the Stirling bomber damaged but their navigator was mortally wounded and soon the crew found themselves lost and unable to navigate properly. Running low on fuel Richman made an incredibly difficult decision, he ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft and went down with it himself, ensuring that the crew survived. His body was recovered from the wreckage and buried at Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery, Richman was 'mentioned' at the end of the war, likely as the heroic story of his final acts came to light; sold together with copied research.

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Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1100