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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 238

A Second World War D.F.M. group of five to Warrant Officer R. V. Pooley, Royal Air Force, a member of No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1267844 FS. R. V. Pooley. RAFVR.), officially impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, all later issues, good very fine or better (5)

D.F.M. London Gazette 11 February 1944, the citation states:

'Flight Sergeant Pooley is one of the best Air Gunners in his squadron. He has completed 19 operational sorties, principally against German targets. During these sorties, he has on no fewer than seven occasions opened fire on enemy aircraft and on 23rd/24th August, 1943, during an attack on Berlin, he fired at a Ju.88 which closed in on his aircraft. This enemy machine was seen falling in flames. His thorough search from his turret has prevented his aircraft from suprise attacks and on most occasions he has opened the combat with the enemy. This determination to engage the enemy at every opportunity is a fine example to the Air Gunners on the squadron. For his determination, skill and courage in the face of the enemy, he is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.'

Ronald Victor Pooley was born on 12 November 1920 and was a driver before he enlisted into the Royal Air Force on 30 September 1940. He began training as an Air Gunner on 12 December 1942 and joined No. 50 Squadron in July 1943. He carried out his first Op as a Rear Gunner on Hamburg on 27 July 1943 but then changed his position in the Lancaster to Mid Upper Gunner and followed this with an Op on Hamburg on 2 August, Milan on 7 August, Berlin on 23 August - where he shot down a Ju.88 - and an Op on Munchen Gladbach on 30 August 1943.
He had a futher Op to Berlin on 3 September, to Munich on 6 September, Manheim on 23 September, followed by an Op to Hanover where he shot down another Ju.88 and additionally noted 'Flak Heavy, Very Liveley' and that he landed at Binbrook. On 29 September his Op was to Bochum and his log book noted 'Target Hit Well'. He had a busy October with Ops on Kassel, Frankfurt, Hannover and then Kassel again. This same month Pooley was promoted to Flight Sergeant on 22 October. He had two Ops for November: Dusseldorf and Berlin, with three Ops for December - all to Berlin. He had one on 23December but the aircraft had to return due to two engines failing. He had two Ops in January 1944; the first to Brunswick and then to Berlin, with one engine failing and with 'Heavy Flak'. Pooley's final Op with 50 Squadron was on 15 February 1944, again to Berlin.

He joined No. 617 Squadron in late February and his first Op was 'Abortive' on 15 March, the following night was more successful this time to Clarmont Fernant. His Ops continue in March with Angouleme and Lyons - this target was repeated on 25 and 29 March. His log book was now being signed by Squadron Leader D. Shannon. Pooley had a further Op to Toulouse on 4 April and the Lancaster landed at Westcott. His log book notes 'First Tour Completed' and was signed by both Squadron Leader D. Shannon and Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire.

Pooley was then transferred to No. 48 Maintenance Unit, based at Hawarden, and then was transferred to No. 46 M.U. at Lossiemouth and was promoted to Warrant Officer on 22 October 1944. He served as part of S.E.A.C. from 22 January 1945 and was attached to the Heavy Conversion Unit at Kolar as part of the S.E.A.A.F., serving as a Mid Upper Gunner on Liberators with his final flight on 28 May 1945. He had completed over 500 flying hours by that time. He served overseas until 1 March 1946 and was finally released from the Royal Air Force on 10 June 1946.

The lot comes with the following archive:

i)
Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book.

ii)
Royal Air Force Service and Release Book.


iii)
Air Gunner Brevets (2).

iv)
Warrant for promotion to Warrant Officer dated 22.10.1944.


v)
Programme for the world premiere of the Dam Busters film.


vi)
An album containing both wartime and modern photographs to include invitations and photographs from the dedication of the 617 Squadron Memorial held at Woodhall Spa on 17 May 1987, to include photographs of Leonard Cheshire and William Reid.

vii)
Wooden shield on stand for No.355 Squadron.

viii)
Pewter model of a Lancaster.

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Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1400