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Auction: 8023 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 107

A Fine Second War Lancaster Air Gunner´s D.F.M. Group of Four to Flight Sergeant, Later Pilot Officer C.R.B. Everard, Royal Air Force, Who Flew in 45 Operational Sorties with 83 Squadron, 8 Pathfinder Force, The Vast Majority Over Heavily Defended German Targets, Including the Famous Peenemunde Raid, 17/18.8.1943, When the Squadron Provided 15 Lancasters and Group Captain J.H. Searby as the Master Bomber for the Raid a) Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1153353 F/Sgt. C.R.B. Everard. R.A.F.) b) 1939-1945 Star c) Air Crew Europe Star d) War Medal, good very fine (4) Estimate £ 1,800-2,200 D.F.M. London Gazette 6.6.1944 Everard, Charles Ralf Barford, 1153353 Flight Sergeant, No. 83 Sqn. The Recommendation, dated 20.3.1944, states: ´´This N.C.O. has now completed a tour of 45 operational sorties as an Air Gunner. Some of the formidable targets he has been detailed to attack include Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, Nuremburg and many flights during the battle of the Ruhr. In fulfilling his arduous duties as a gunner in a heavy bomber, F/Sgt. Everard has always maintained a high standard of vigilance and courage and has on more than one occasion gained victories over enemy fighters. One night in July when his aircraft was illuminated by numerous searchlights a German fighter attacked. By the quick and skilful directions that this N.C.O. gave to his captain his aircraft escaped with only slight damage whilst the enemy from F/Sgt. Everard´´s accurate return fire suffered seriously. For his consistent bravery and coolness in the face of the enemy F/Sgt. Everard is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal. Remarks By Station Commander: ´´Flight Sergeant Everard possess the ability and the courage which are essential to a successful operational air gunner. His calmness, endurance and aggressive spirit throughout his extended Pathfinder tour were potent factors for success and he is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.´´ Pilot Officer Charles Ralf Barford Everard, D.F.M., initially served during the Second World War as a Flight Sergeant (Air Gunner) Royal Air Force; he served with 83 (Pathfinder) Squadron (Lancasters), Wyton, Huntingtonshire; he flew in 45 operational sorties with the Squadron between January 1943-February 1944, including: Essen (3); Berlin (8); Dusseldorf (2); Hamburg (5); Turin (3); Stettin; Duisburg; Dortmund; Pilsen; Bochum; Cologne (2); Le Cresot; Krefeld; Milan (2); Peenemunde - when the Squadron provided 15 Lancasters (including Everard´´s) for the heavy raid against the German V-weapons experimental station, 17/18.8.1943, 83 Squadron also provided the Master Bomber for the raid, Captain J.H. Searby flying in Lancaster JA928 ´´W-William´´; Mannheim (2); Munich; Modane; Frankfurt; Magdeburg; Leipzig; Schweinfurt and Augsburg; during this period Everard´´s Squadron had been prominent in the Battle of the Ruhr and the Battle of Hamburg, July - August 1943, it was during one of his three trips over Hamburg in July as part of the latter battle that Everard came out on top after a tussle with a German fighter; Everard was commissioned Pilot Officer 13.6.1944.

Sold for
£2,400