Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 4338    SESSION 13 (2.30pm Thurs 29 July)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $5,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $7,150

GROUP OF SEVEN: Distinguished Flying Medal (GVIR) (Type 1 Ind Imp); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45, together with New Zealand Memorial Cross (GVIR). N.Z.40727. Sgt. I.Overheu. R.N.Z.A.F. on first medal, all other medals unnamed as issued, NZ40727 Sjt. 1.Overheu. D.F.M. on Memorial Cross. First medal engraved, the Memorial Cross impressed, note that number 1 used mistakenly instead of letter I for initial. Extremely fine - uncirculated.

DFM (Immediate Award jointly with 745760 Sergeant E.A.R.Leavers), LG 23/5/41, Air 2/8752 Recommendation (21st April 1941): 'Sergeant Leavers and Sergeant Overheu were the pilot and Observer respectively of the leading aircraft of a section detailed to attack a large enemy convoy on 18th April, 1941. Sergeant Leavers displayed great determination and good leadership in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire in giving his section a good tactical run-up to the target and his Observer, Sergeant Overheu, displayed considerable skill and coolness in scoring two direct hits on a large ship in the convoy. After delivering his attack, Sergeant Leavers saw the leader of No.2 Section shot down in flames. He immediately gathered together two of the other aircraft and brought his section on the formation leader. On 31st March, 1941, this crew successfully attacked an enemy destroyer escorting a convoy af 13 ships. Segeant Leavers pressed home his attack and whilst his Observer scored two direct hits on the destroyer with his bombs, the pilot raked the deck with his machine gun, many of the ship's crew being seen to fall. After bomb release, Segeant Leavers was so low that he had to lift his port wing to avoid collision with the mast of the destroyer. After the attack, the destroyer was observed to be slewed round and was listing badly to port with black smoke pouring from the stern. This crew has now completed 16 sorties involving 57 hours flying during which their teamwork as a crew has been of a very high standard. Their attacks have always been pressed home with great determination and they have always brought back the maximum information, supplemented whenever possible by good photographs. I recommend the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal to these two N.C.O.s because I notice that in sortie after sortie, they have set a magnificent example to the other members of the squadron and, indeed, the day bomber force, many of whom have only recently started operational flying, requiring a high standard of determination and morale.' Ian Overheu, commercial traveller, born 28Jul1917 Geraldton, Western Australia, ran away from home to study engineering at Sydney University before going to NZ; joined RNZAF Mar1940; served with RAF No 21 Blenheim Sqn; 21Apr1941 recommended for immediate award of DFM, approved; in an article in The Argus newspaper, Saturday May 24, 1941 p.5 under heading "Hope Dad's Pleased" / Perth Airman's Decoration, Sgt-Observer Overheu said, 'I hope father is pleased with the award. We had a family dispute and I left. I want to return to sheep farming after the war.'; KIA 16Jun1941 when his aircraft hit the mast of the vessel he was attacking and crashed into the sea off the Frisian Islands. Up until then this aircraft, Blenheim V6034, and its crew had earned a reputation for showing outstanding courage in low-level attacks on enemy shipping; no known grave, commemorated on Runnymeade Memorial. Together with Memorial Scroll; telegram dated 17Jun1941 to Mrs Overheu re death of husband; letter dated 18Jun1941 from RAF Record Office confirming details in telegram; letter from Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood dated 27Feb1942 requesting Mrs Overheu's attendance at Buckingham Palace to receive her husband's DFM from the King; large b&w photo of Sgt Overheu wearing DFM ribbon and with his wife, written on the back 'Taken on a visit to London / during Ian's last leave in / May 1941. / Reported Missing June 17th 1941 / (signed) Margaret Overheu'; case for Memorial Cross; plus some research.