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Auction: 4020 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 100

A Second War D.F.C., A.F.C. Group of Seven to Battle of Britain Pilot and Pioneer Night Fighter Squadron Leader E. S. Smith, Auxiliary Air Force, Late Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse dated '1945'; Air Force Cross, reverse dated '1943'; 1939-45 Star, Battle of Britain Bar; Air Crew Europe Star, France and Germany Bar; Defence and War Medals; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R. (Act. Sqn. Ldr. E.S. Smith A.A.F.), good very fine, with a portrait photograph, a 'liberated' Messerschmitt altimeter, a 12" B.B.C. recording, made by recipient, a quantity of collar studs including two 'escapers' compass studs, and two Squadron wall plaques (264 and 600 Squadrons) (7) Estimate £ 3,000-4,000 D.F.C. London Gazette 2.10.1945 Smith, Edwin Stanley A.F.C. A/WC (90093) A.A.F. 264Sqn. The Recommendation states: 'This officer has almost completed his second operational tour of Night Fighting. He started as one of the pioneers of night fighting with No.600 Squadron during the Battle of Britain in the days when night fighting was indeed a perilous occupation. There was no proper ground control, no navigational aids, only inefficient R/T and no form of airfield lightings. In spite of all these setbacks, this officer was always in those days in the forefront to engage the enemy. Although he destroyed no enemy aircraft on his first tour, it required great courage and determination to fly at all under the conditions that then prevailed. On his second tour with No.488 Squadron and subsequently as Commanding Officer of No.264 Squadron, he destroyed one enemy aircraft on the night of 30/31 March, 1945. This was his reward for a large amount of flying often in extremely bad weather and with no guarantee of open bases to return to. Throughout he has shown the same keenness and determination to engage the enemy, should he be found, as he did in the early days, and although his personal score is small, his example and leadership have been an inspiration to his Squadron and have resulted in the destruction of many enemy aircraft. In all he has completed 105 sorties against the enemy in defensive and offensive patrols over England, the beachhead and subsequent front line areas.' A.F.C. London Gazette2.6.1943 Squadron Leader Edward Stanley Smith (90093), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Air Fighting Development Unit. The Recommendation states: 'Squadron Leader Smith has served as officer commanding the Development Flight, since November, 1940. During this period he has been almost solely responsible for all the trials and reports on fighters up to December, 1942. In addition he has made affiliations with Bomber Command and has assisted with considerable flying on bomber types. In July, 1942, Squadron Leader Smith was selected for special duties with the Royal Air Force delegation in Washington. His flying ability and keenness have invariably been of the highest order.' Wing Commander Edward Stanley Smith D.F.C., A.F.C.; educated at Sherborne School and Clare College, Cambridge, learned to fly with the University Air Squadron. In 1936 he joined 600 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force, was commissioned Pilot Officer (Aux. A.F.) 1936 and Flying Officer (Aux. A.F.) 1938. He was called into service with the Royal Air Force as Flying Officer 25.8.1939 and served with 600 Squadron during the Battle of Britain; Squadron Leader 1943; Wing Commander and Officer Commanding No. 264 Squadron, April 1944-June 1945.

Sold for
£4,500