INCREDIBLE AND RARE CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY MEDAL (FLYING) COMES TO AUCTION

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 bail 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.

In the ‘At Sea, On Land & In the Air’ auction at Baldwin’s Auction house on 24 September, the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal will be sold with a 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, 1939-45 War Medal, all unnamed ad issued, mounted for war, very fine. In addition, Sergeant Derrick John Allen’s 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.

A most comprehensive, poignant and incredible group, the extraordinary lot also comprises over 140 original photographs, 467 Squadron reunion material, original photograph outside Buckingham Palace, letters, cards and post cards, and together is estimated at £10,000 – 14,000.

SERGEANT DERRICK JOHN ALLEN’S ASTOUNDING STORY 

On the night of Thursday 2^nd – 3^rd 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.

Sergeant Derrick John Allen was the mid-upper gunner in the Lancaster DV396 aircraft detailed to attack Dusseldorf.  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 height 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.

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 Logbook, 467 Squadron:

27^th September 1944 Ops Kaiserslautern

5^th October 1944 Ops Wilhelmshacen

6^th October 1944 Ops Bremen

9^th October 1944 Ops Walcheren

11^th October 1944 Ops Walcheren

20^th October 1944 Ops Walcheren

1^st November 1944 Ops Homberg No Bombs Dropped

2^nd 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.

7^th February 1945 Ops Ladbergen – Dortmund Ems Canal

8^th February 1945 Ops Politz, Accurate FLAK Fighters present

13^th February 1945 Ops Dresden, Corkscrew Left to avoid fighters

14^th February 1945 Ops Chemnitz

3^rd March 1945 Ops Dortmund Ems Canal accurate FLAK

6^th March 1945 Ops Sassnitz

7^th March 1945 Ops Hamburg

11^th March 1945 Ops Essen

18^th of April 1945 Ops Komotau

19^th Final operational flight 

25^th April 1945 Ops Tonsberg, Norway, caught in search light took evasive action.

8^th May 1945 NO MORE WAR!

Auction Notes

Baldwins are excited to present another Medal Auction in the series "At Sea, On Land and In the Air", in this auction you will find a Waterloo Medal awarded to a man twice wounded in the Peninsula and once at Waterloo, a lovely group with original paperwork to the sinking of the Q Ship Bergamot, a rare 1^st Class 1870 Iron Cross and the iconic Military Cross awarded on the 1^st of July 1916 for the attack on Montauban. Also a Royal Flying Corps Log Book to a Fighter Pilot who, in 1917, records in his Log Book an encounter with non other than the Red Baron! Comprising 248 lots of rare, unique and highly collectible pieces, the sale has been curated by miliaria expert Mark Smith, and includes items starting from £10 to £10,000, appealing to all levels of collector.