Lot 150
The Incredible and rare, Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)
At Sea, On Land & In The Air | M24003
Auction: 24 September 2024 at 18:30 BST
Description
The Incredible and rare, Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) awarded to Sergeant Derrick John Allen, Air Gunner of 467 Squadron, who, on the 2nd of November 1944 returning from an Operation to Dusseldorf as the Mid-Upper Gunner of Lancaster DV396 was attacked several times by a night fighter which left the Lancaster almost uncontrollable and with an engine on fire. As the Crew Prepared to leave the aircraft it was discovered that the rear gunner was trapped in his turret. Sgt Allen immediately went to his aid, knowing that the bomber could break up at any moment. He used an axe to chop open the doors of the turret, having done this he succeeded in freeing the rear gunner and they made their way forward to bale out but before being able to do so the Lancaster broke up. Sgt Allen found himself in mid air and pulled the parachute ripcord, landing in a tree after a very low descent, comprising, Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) (1880966 Sgt. D.J. Allen. R.A.F.), 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, 1939-45 War Medal, all unnamed ad issued, mounted for war, very fine (4)
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) the London Gazette 6th of March 1945
Sergeant Derick John Allen (1880966) RAF(VR) No. 467 Squadron (Australian)
This airman was the mid-upper gunner in an aircraft detailed to attack Dusseldorf one night in November 1944. During the operation the aircraft was attacked by a fighter. Sergeant Allen opened fire but the enemy aircraft closed in and the bomber was struck by a burst of machine gun fire which caused much damage. A second attack followed and the aircraft was hit. The outer port engine was hit and caught fire. All efforts to extinguish the fire were unavailing. Later the aircraft lost hight and later dived out of control. The position became hopeless and the Captain ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft. The rear gunner was unable to open the turret doors and was trapped. With complete disregard for his own safety Sergeant Allen promptly went to the assistance of his comrade. The aircraft was now on fire and falling rapidly. Nevertheless, this gallant airman hacked away at the turret doors with an axe and finally succeeded in freeing his comrade. Just as Sgt Allen was ready to jump the aircraft broke in two. He fell clear, however, pulled the ripcord of his parachute and descended safely. In the face of extreme danger this airman displayed conduct in keeping with the best traditions of the Royal Air Force.
The Rear Gunner Flight Sergeant William John Lemin was killed when he hit the ground.
A fuller account is included
On the night of Thursday the 2.3rd November 1944 a force of 992 aircraft, 561 Lancaster, 400 Halifax’s and 31 Mosquito aircraft were briefed to attack Dusseldorf. Resulting from the nights operations 27 aircraft failed to return, 93 airman were killed, 5 injured and 29 became Prisoners of War.
Lancaster DV396 took off at 16.31Hrs from RAF Station Waddington in Lincolnshire. The crew were F/O L.K. Landridge RAAF Pilot, Sgt J Halstead RAF(VR) Flight Engineer, Flight Sergeant D.G Beverley RAAF, Navigator, Flight Sergeant K.C. Woollam, Bomb Aimer, Flight Sergeant W.C. Denny, RAAF Wireless Operator, Sergeant D.J. Allen Mid Upper Gunner, Flight Sergeant W.J. Lemin Rear Gunner.
After successfully bombing Dusseldorf Lancaster DV396 was attacked by an enemy fighter, despite evasive action and continuous defensive fire from its gunners. The fighter made two sweeping attacks; both times the bomber was raked with machine gun fire causing much damage to the aircraft. The second attack setting=g fire to the port outer engine. The crew desperately tried to save the crippled bomber and the attempts to extinguish the flaming engine failed. Loosing height rapidly the crippled bomber spiralling out of control the Captain ordered to abandon. The rear gunner F/S Lemin could not open his turret doors to make his escape. Screaming for help, Sgt. Allen went to his assistance informing the Captain of the rear gunners predicament. The Captain, F/O Landridge , who was about to abandon the aircraft , promptly climbed back into his seat and took control to try to stay the aircrafts descent. By this time the aircraft was completely ablaze and falling rapidly, never the less The Captain remined at the controls and Sgt Allen hacked away with the fire axe until his comrade was free/ With only seconds to spare all three airman made their exit as the aircraft broke up. With little altitude left all three parachutes only partially deployed with catastrophic effect. The Captain and rear gunner being killed instantly . The Lancaster crashing into the ground in allied held territory. Luckily Sgt Allen’s partially deployed parachute caught on the last reaming tree in a clearing in a forest. The Captain F/Off Landridge for staying at his post was recommended for the Victoria Cross, but this was not granted.
Sgt Allen was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Flying and this was presented by His Majesty the King, King George Vi at Buckingham Palace on the 12th of March 1946.
From Sgt Allen Flying Log Book
467 Squadron
27th September 1944 Ops Kaiserslautern
5th October 1944 Ops Wilhelmshacen
6th October 1944 Ops Bremen
9th October 1944 Ops Walcheren
11th October 1944 Ops Walcheren
20th October 1944 Ops Walcheren
1st November 1944 Ops Homberg No Bombs Dropped
2nd November 1944 Ops Dusseldorf Bombed successfully. Attacked by FW190 Abandoned aircraft landed safely 7 mls S/W of Spa. Belgium, Pilot and Rear Gunner Killed.
7th February 1945 Ops Ladbergen – Dortmund Ems Canal
8th February 1945 Ops Politz, Accurate FLAK Fighters present
13th February 1945 Ops Dresden, Corkscrew Left to avoid fighters
14th February 1945 Ops Chemnitz
3rd March 1945 Ops Dortmund Ems Canal accurate FLAK
6th March 1945 Ops Sassnitz
7th March 1945 Ops Hamburg
11th March 1945 Ops Essen
18th of April 1945 Ops Komotau
19th and final operational flight
25th April 1945 Ops Tonsberg, Norway, caught in search light took evasive action.
8th May 1945 NO MORE WAR!
Sold with Flying Log Book for Navigators, Air Bombers Air Gunners and Flight Engineers, MK4 Flying Goggles, Impellor of DV396 engine. Perspex from mid upper turret, Ball race from mid-upper turret, Perspex inspection hatch and landing light all recovered from the crash site of Lancaster DV396.
Over 140 original photographs, Photographs of the crash site, crash reports, details of his visits to the crash site and to see the graves of Landridge and Lemin in Hotton War Cemetery, 467 Squadron reunion material, original photograph outside Buckingham Palace. Letters, cards, post cards.
4 Printed Books in which Sgt Allen appears
467-463 Squadrons RAAF by H.M. (Nobby) Blundell
Looking into Hell by Mel Rolfe
Hell on Earth by Mel Rolfe
Flying for Freedom by Tony Redding
All signed by the authors to Sgt Allen.
A most comprehensive, poignant and incredible group that contains parts of the aircraft the rare Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) was awarded.
