Other Properties - Australian Groups

Lot 4102    SESSION 10 (9.30AM FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER)    Other Properties - Australian Groups

Estimate $6,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $9,000

DFC GROUP OF SIX: Distinguished Flying Cross (GVIR type 1); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. The first medal has 1945 on bottom arm, 426875 Hassler H. on all other medals. All medals engraved. Mounted on card, the first medal toned nearly extremely fine, the last five medals are late official issues (see note below) and nearly uncirculated.

Note: With correspondence to the Department of Defence dated 16 May 1988 in which Hans Hassler makes application for his WWII service medals. The medals were finally issued in April 1989. Hassler has made a hand-written note to the affect that he thought that he should receive the Pacific Star but he never proceeded to request same. His Flying Log Book seems to verify his assertion. Further, in his Service File is an advice dated 31 May 1946 of his medal entitlement on demobilisation at 7 March 1946 and this includes the Pacific Star but no Defence Medal. However, the printed and hand-completed medal advice supplied with his late issued medals only has the above five medals in his group listed. If further investigation reveals that he is in fact entitled to the Pacific Star then the problem can be rectified easily.

Together with H.Hassler's Flying Log Book Nov1942-Nov1945; a set of swing mounted miniatures includes 1939-45 Star; Aircrew Europe Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45 (not correct awards but possibly thought to be correct by Hassler at the time of wearing them); RAAF uniform embroidered shoulder eagle; RAAF Pilot's wings (KC), modern issue; RAAF enamel and gilt brooch (23mm), pin-back but retaining loop bent down.

DFC: LG 16/2/1945, p934; CAG 1/3/1945, p553 to 426875 Flying Officer Hans Hassler, 100Sqn RAAF, forwarded by mail to recipient's address at Toowoomba, Qld.

Citation: Flying Officer Hassler has completed numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.

Hans Hassler, geologist, age 29, born at Fremantle, WA; Enl.15Aug1942 at No.3 RAAF Recruiting Centre, Brisbane, Qld as Air Crew; LAC 06Nov1942; training at 3 I.T.S. Kingaroy, 5 E.F.T.S. Narromine and 2 E.D. Bradfield Park; Emb.08Feb1943 for additional flying training in Canada; Flying badge awarded 08Jul1943; Sgt (T) and then Pilot Officer 09Jul1943; Flying Officer 09Jan1944; T/Flight Lieutenant 09Jul1945; noted attachments to R.C.A.F. 08Feb-02Aug1943, R.A.F. 03Aug1943-15Apr1945 including 1531 Flight 13-26Oct1943; from 07May-13Nov1945 was flying a Dakota with 243 Sqn operating between Australia and various locations in the South West Pacific including Leyte, Morotai, Milne Bay, Port Moresby and others; other aircraft types flown include Avro Anson, Oxford, Wellington, Lancaster; Appt terminated 07Mar1946.