THE EXCEPTIONAL IMMEDIATE SINKING OF THE TIRPITZ D.F.C. GROUP TO A NAVIGATOR WHO WOULD TAKE PART IN 26 OPERATIONAL SORTIES WITH 617 SQUADRON DURING 1944. THESE INCLUDING ‘OPERATION TAXABLE’ ON D-DAY, SAUMAR TUNNEL; THE FIRST TALLBOY ATTACK, OPERATION CROSSBOW; THE ATTACKS ON GERMAN V1 AND V2 ROCKET INSTALLATIONS AND A COUPLE OF SORTIES AS WING COMMANDER WILLIE TAIT’S NAVIGATOR BEFORE BEING CREWED WITH F/L BOBBY KNIGHTS FOR ALL THREE TIRPITZ ATTACKS. DURING THE LAST OF WHICH, THEIR TALLBOY FELL TEN YARDS OFF PORT QUARTER AND AFTERWARDS THEIR LANCASTER REMAINED OVER THE TARGET UNTIL THE END OF THE ATTACK. BOTH PILOT AND NAVIGATOR BEING AWARDED IMMEDIATE AWARDS A WEEK LATER; DSO AND DFC RESPECTIVELY. HE HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN PART IN 30 OPERATIONAL SORTIES WITH LANCASTER’S OF 619 SQUADRON, INCLUDING NO LESS THAN 9 ATTACKS ON BERLIN BEFORE VOLUNTEERING FOR SPECIAL DUTIES SERVICE WITH 617 SQUADRON. IN LATER LIFE, HE WAS INTERVIEWED IN THE 1973 BBC TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY "TARGET TIRPITZ"

DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, G.VI.R., THE REVERSE OFFICIALLY DATED 1945, WITH CASE OF ISSUE, 1939-1945 STAR, AIR CREW EUROPE STAR, CLASP FRANCE AND GERMANY, DEFENCE MEDAL.

D.F.C. London Gazette 12 January 1945. The original recommendation for an immediate award, dated 19 November 1944:

“Flying Officer Playford has now completed fifty-two operational sorties which have included eight attacks against Berlin during the winter offensive of 1943/44. After completing his first tour, he volunteered for employment with a Special Duties Squadron. His Captain then withdrew from operational flying after a few months, but this officer again elected to remain with his Squadron. Over the past four months he has taken part in precision bombing attacks carried out by a small force of aircraft both day and night and the targets have frequently been defended by strong concentration of heavy anti-aircraft guns. He has proved himself to be an outstanding navigator and for this reason, he has frequently been selected to navigate the leading aircraft of the formation. In September 1944, this officer acted as Navigator in one of the aircraft which operated against the German Battleship “Tirpitz” from an advanced base in Russia. In spite of lack of navigational aids and up to date maps, he navigated his Captain with great accuracy to this base without incident. Only about half the force which took off actually landed at the correct airfield. The complete operation involved the flight to the Advanced Base, the sortie against the “Tirpitz” in Alten Fiord, and the return to this country, which was a round trip of some 4,500 miles.

Flying Officer Playford also operated on the further two attacks against “Tirpitz” from a base in Scotland. His accurate navigation undoubtably played an important part in the final destruction of the Battleship.

This officer has proved himself to be an exceptionally keen and efficient navigator, and he has always shown the greatest enthusiasm to operate against the enemy. I recommend him for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.”

Signed by Group Captain Philpott

Playford’s pilot, Flt Lt Knights, was awarded an Immediate DSO for the Tirpitz raid at the same time as Playford, this a week after the last Tirpitz raid……….

SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITE-UP

SOLD WITH THE FOLLOWING ORIGINAL ITEMS:

1) Playford’s Observer’s and Air Gunners Logbook, giving all flights 26.7.42 - 23.10.46
2) Named Buckingham Palace D.F.C. forwarding letter
3) D.F.C. case of issue
4) 2 x medal ribbon bars, all medals, both worn
5) DFC ribbon bar
6) Set of miniature medals, mounted as worn
7) Bomber Command clasp in named case of issue
8) British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) bullion navigator wing

Included with the digital research is a copy of the original DFC recommendation, shortened published LG recommendation, a newspaper article from 1978, 619 Squadron Operational logs, various other research and a PDF copy of ‘617 Squadron, The Operational Record Book 1943-1945’ by Tobin Jones, is included with the research. This details each operation by the squadron, aircraft that took part, their crew and individual notes made by each aircraft commander after each sortie. This can be used in conjunction with Playford’s own logbook to add further notes.

Additionally, all of Playford’s 56 operational sorties have been extracted from the operational logs into their own 6 page PDF. A print out of this is also supplied.