THE EMOTIVE 1941 D.F.M. TO A PILOT OF 49 AND 149 SQUADRONS R.A.F. WHO ON 1 MARCH 1943 TOOK PART IN A RAID ON BERLIN, DURING WHICH HIS STIRLING WAS HIT BY FLAK AND THEN ATTACKED BY A NIGHT FIGHTER WHICH BADLY DAMAGED THE AIRCRAFT, KILLING AND MORTALLY WOUNDING TWO OF THE CREW. UNWOUNDED, THIS PILOT SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET HIS AIRCRAFT AS FAR AS DIEPPE BEFORE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL AND IN A REMARKABLE ACT OF COURAGE, CALLED FOR HIS SURVIVING CREW TO BAIL OUT, KEEPING AT THE CONTROLS OF HIS AIRCRAFT SO THEY COULD PARACHUTE TO SAFETY, WHICH MEANT CERTAIN DEATH FOR HIMSELF. HIS LAST WORDS TO HIS W/OP WERE "CHEERIO. GOOD SHOW OLD BOY". HE WOULD RECEIVE A POSTHUMOUS M.I.D. IN 1945, ALMOST CERTAINLY AS THE STORY OF HIS FINAL FLIGHT CAME TO LIGHT

DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL, G.VI.R. ‘742977. SGT. R. E. RICHMAN. R.A.F.’

D.F.M. London Gazette 6 June 1941, the original recommendation states:

'Sergeant Richman has completed 27 operations against the enemy during the course of which he has completed 162 hours operational flying. He has always shown outstanding keenness and enthusiasm. He has on more than one occasion volunteered and carried out operations on successive nights. Amongst other notable operations which he has carried out as Captain of aircraft have been low-level attacks on the Power Station near Kassel in October, 1940, at a height of 1,000 feet. He alone out of a considerable number of aircraft found the target and obtained a direct hit. On an oil target near Cologne in December, 1940, under difficult weather conditions, he again made a low-level attack at 1500 feet in spite of severe opposition and scored direct hits. His operations have always been characterised by dash and determination, but he has in addition shown cool judgement, skill and good qualities of leadership as Captain of aircraft. Sergeant Richman's ability, courage and determination under adverse weather conditions in pressing home his attacks have set an excellent example to other pilots in his squadron.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1945.

Roland Edward Richman was born at Sculcoates, East Riding, Yorkshire in 1921, the son of John and Emily Richman. Having joined the Civil Air Guard, he learned to fly in March 1939 and was mobilised with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve when war broke out. Initially serving as a Flight Sergeant, piloting Hampden's with 49 Squadron out of Scampton, his first sortie was on 17 September 1940 targeting barge positions……….

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Condition GVF, mounted on its investiture pin. Sold with copied research, including LG’s, 49 Squadron operational reports, DFM recommendation, letter from P/O Taylor and his POW questionnaire etc. Also digital copies of 149 Squadron operational reports. Service papers for this pilot have been applied for and will be forwarded to the buyer when received.

A really quite outstanding D.F.M. to and extremely courageous young pilot who sacrificed his live to save his crewmates.