Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian - Groups

Lot 3694    Session 12 (11.30am Thursday)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian - Groups

Estimate $4,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $5,600

GROUP OF SEVEN: Distinguished Flying Cross GVI (GRI); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Burma Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. 1944 engraved on reverse lower arm of cross, second to fourth medals unnamed as issued, 22873 A.W.Lane on fifth to seventh medals. Named medals impressed. DFC in Royal Mint case of issue, the rest swing mounted on two bars, very fine - extremely fine.

Together with original citation; RAAF Certificate of Service and Discharge; Passport under signature of Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Governor General of Commonwealth of Australia, issued at Brisbane, 23 January 1946 and with aircrew type visa suitable for leaving without an Exit Permit from the USA, Islands of the Pacific and all countries of the Far East outside the British Empire (with photo of Lane in RAAF uniform); Birth Certificate extract dated 8 February 1940; copy of pages featuring Flying Officer Lane from Australia in the War of 1939-45; part copy of Times Weekly Edition March 1, 1944 (pocket size); newspaper cutting for when DFC awarded; photo in uniform; RAAF (QC) enamel and metal pilot wings lapel badge; Australian Legion lapel badge. DFC: LG 17/11/1944, p5282, posn 2; CAG 23/11/1944, p2609, posn 65. Lane, Aubrey William, FO (Aus22873) RAAF, 462 (RAAF) Sqn Citation: One day in August, 1944, Flying Officer Lane was detailed to attack a synthetic oil plant at Homberg. Before the coast was reached the port outer engine failed but although fully aware of the risks involved, he flew on towards his target. In the target area the bomber sustained damage and a second engine was hit. Unable to identify his primary target this officer made a successful attack on a secondary objective. Flying Officer Lane has displayed great determination to achieve success. Flying Officer Lane was presented with the DFC by the Governor of Queensland at Government House, Brisbane on 30 July 1947. Aubrey William (Chid) Lane, clerk, born 24Apr1919 at Toowoomba, Queensland; previous service with RAE 1939-1940; Enl.08Jul1940 at Brisbane; ACI 08Jul1940; LAC 01Oct1940; Corp (t) 01Dec1940; Sgt (T) 01Oct1941; AC 09Nov1941; LAC 28Feb1942; qualified for Flying Badge 14Oct1942; Sgt (T) 14Jan1943 (Pilot); Emb.05Mar1943 to UK; T/Sgt 14Jul1943 (A/Pilot); T/Sgt 31Dec1943 (Pilot); T/FSgt 16Jan1944 (Pilot); 16Jan1944 to Officer; served with 466, 462 Sqns RAAF and 96 Sqn RAF; Disch.21Dec1945 ex Air CSEA; Lane continued in service with the RAAF Interim Air Force post war. In the book, Australia in the War of 1939-1945, Series III, Air - Vol IV, Air Power over Europe 1944-1945 by John Herington, details of the raid for which Lane received the DFC are as follows. ’No.4 Group was out again on 27th August for a repeat attack against Homberg-Meerbeck. The force of 243 aircraft was the largest yet committed by Bomber Command against a single oil objective. The raid was made in daylight, a revolutionary move soon to become standard practice, and, in addition to a heavy fighter escort, the bombers were accompanied by one Mosquito detailed to make an immediate bomb damage survey. From an Australian viewpoint the attack was also memorable as the first operation over Germany of the newly re-formed No.462 Squadron. Indeed, perhaps the most outstanding display of determination and airmanship arising from the raid was given by Flying Officer Lane of that squadron. The port - outer engine of his Halifax failed in the early stages of the outward journey, before the enemy coast had been crossed. Lane decided to continue even though he would have to fly his aircraft at a much lower level than the main force. Over Homberg the Halifax not only received special attention from the gun defences but was also in danger from bombs cascading from aircraft at higher altitudes. A second engine was disabled by gunfire and, as the primary target was at that time obscured, Lane dropped his bombs on docks on the east bank of the Rhine.’