AN EXTREMELY FINE WW2 D.F.M. TO AN AIR GUNNER WHO COMPLETED 49 OPERATIONAL SORTIES 1942-44, HIS SECOND TOUR WITH LANCASTERS OF 97 (STRAITS SETTLEMENTS) SQUADRON, PATHFINDER FORCE FREQUENTLY AS A MARKER. IN MAY 1944, HIS PILOT WAS AWARDED AN IMMEDIATE D.S.O. FOR HIS ACTIONS DURING AN EPIC SORTIE, IN WHICH HIS AIRCRAFT WAS EXTREMELY HEAVILY DAMAGED BY FLAK OVER THE TARGET, THEN BY ENEMY FIGHTERS AND FINALLY BY HOME DEFENCES ON HIS RETURN HOME, THE LATTER HAPPENING AGAIN A MONTH LATER

DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL, GVI, ‘1415475. F/SGT. G. A. LEONARD. R.A.F.’

D.F.M. London Gazette of 27 June 1944, His Recommendation reads:

“This N.C.O. has carried out 35 1/3 operational sorties, 9 1/3 of which have been in Path Finder Force, 8 1/3 as Marker. Sergeant Leonard has at all times shown every enthusiasm for operations. His skill as a gunner has frequently enabled his Captain to evade enemy aircraft and successfully press home their attacks over heavily defended targets. His infectious enthusiasm and alertness have done a great deal to sustain the high morale of his crew. It is recommended that he be awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, Signed Wing Commander, Commanding No 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron, R.A.F. Bourne, 15th April 1944.”

His Station Commander added: “A very keen Air Gunner with considerable operational experience. Recommended.”

George Alfred Leonard was born in Hull, Yorkshire on 6 February 1923 and enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in Penarth after March 1941. Completed training as an Air Gunner and took part in his first Operational Sortie on 10 November 1942. He was recommended for the D.F.M. on 14 April 1944 whilst serving as a Sergeant Air Gunner with Path Finder Force, 8 Group Unit, 97 Straits Settlements Squadron. At the time of his D.F.M. recommendation………

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The following fine website gives a huge amount of detail on 97 Squadron:

http://www.97squadronassociation.co.uk/Awards.html

Condition NEF, attractive patina. Sold with copy D.F.M. recommendation and extracted 97 Squadron operational logs (digital), the latter will be emailed to buyer.

An extremely fine D.F.M. to an air gunner who saw a great deal of action during the War. His latter tour with Pathfinder Force and as a Marker.