British Groups

Lot 4055    The J.J.Atkinson Collection    British Groups

Estimate $4,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $7,200

GROUP OF SIX TO SERGEANT FREDERICK CLOUDESLEY JENKINS ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE. Distinguished Flying Medal (GVIR) (59301. Sgt. F.C.Jenkins. R.e A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star; Defence Medal; British War Medal 1939-45. Distinguished Flying Medal named, engraved others unnamed. Extremely fine.

DFM: London Gazette 4 November 1941. 'For gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations. This airman of 148 Squadron has participated in 57 operational missions, of which 28 were carried out over Germany and enemy-occupied territory. Sergeant Jenkins was specially chosen for the first raids on Italy from England. In one raid on Milan, he scored a direct hit on the Pirelli factory. On another occasion, with the oil refinery at Port Marghere, Venice as the objective, he displayed superb navigation as, owing to adverse weather conditions, he was compelled to rely entirely on astro-navigation. On his last operational flight from England, Sergeant Jenkins scored a great success when attacking the Focke Wulf factory at Bremen. He dropped two sticks of bombs, scoring a direct hit with every bomb. In addition, he secured two photographs which recorded each stick bursting on the target. As a result of this raid, intelligence information stated that one third of the factory output ceased. In the Middle East scene of operations, Sergeant Jenkins has performed excellent work, including successful raids on targets in Libya, Greece, Rhodes and Crete. On one occasion, during an attack on Tripoli harbour, he obtained a direct hit on a ship which was set on fire, while in another attack at Messina he obtained a hit on the power station and assisted in the attack on the marshalling yard whereby the entire objective was set on fire. Throughout, he has shown great courage, skill and determination.'

Together with relevant London Gazette entry.