Orders, Decorations & Medals - British Groups

Lot 2351    SESSION 14 (2.30PM THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - British Groups

Estimate $17,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au

DSO AND DFC GROUP OF EIGHT: Distinguished Service Order (GVIR with GRI first cipher); Distinguished Flying Cross (GVIR with GRI cipher); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, - clasp - Air Crew Europe; Italy Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; USA Distinguished Flying Cross. All medals unnamed and second medal with 1944 engraved on reverse of lower arm of the cross. Display court mounted, some contact marks, otherwise very fine.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 76 (lot 3813) 27-29/7/2004 and Ross Sutton Collection.
Together with,
1) RAF WWII Pathfinder Force Badge with pin-back.
2) Certificate for award of the Path Finder Force Badge to Acting Flight Lieutenant B.H.Botha, D.S.O., D.F.C. 155785, dated 19 December 1944.
3) Document for Investiture at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday 9th July 1946 that lists under The Distinguished Service Order - Flight Lieutenant Bernhost Botha, Bomber Command (also to receive the Distinguihed Flying Cross).
4) A large number of b&w photos, air force related including aircraft, bomb sites and some featuring Botha. Some photos with signatures on reverse.
DSO: Fourth Supplement to LG 22/9/1944, p4442 - to Flight Lieutenant Bernhorst Hermanus Botha, D.F.C. (155758), R.A.F.V.R., 50 Sqn.
Citation: Flight Lieutenant Botha has a notable record of operations. He has completed a very large number of sorties, both as an air gunner and pilot, against many heavily defended targets in Germany. He has at all times displayed great determination and courage in pressing home his attacks and has undoubtedly assisted in maintaining the high standard of morale in his squadron.
Recommendation: Flight Lieutenant Botha has now carried out a total of 105 operational sorties, 75 as an Air Gunner and 30 as a Pilot. From 20th April, 1940 to 18th November, 1940 he completed 30 sorties on Ansons and Beauforts with Coastal Command, from 18th November 1940 to 9th August, 1941, 45 sorties on Wellingtons with Bomber Command, all as an Air Gunner, and subsequently 30 sorties as Pilot and Captain of Aircraft with No. 50 Squadron. Not content with this magnificent record he has now volunteered for a fourth tour of operational duty with P.F.F.
Flight Lieutenant Botha has operated against many of the most heavily defended targets in Germany, and has always shown the utmost determination and courage in pressing home his attacks. His outstanding record of achievement has been a wonderful example to other members of his Squadron and has undoubtedly assisted in maintaining their high standard of morale.
Apart from many instances of gallantry and exceptional ability, Flight Lieutenant Botha has established a record of long continued offensive action against the enemy, both as an Air Gunner and Captain of Aircraft which must be almost unparalleled, for few can have so fearlessly and untiringly done so much to attack and destroy the enemy. For this outstanding devotion to duty I strongly recommend Flight Lieutenant Botha for the award of the Distinguished Service Order.
DFC: Supplement to LG 27/6/1944, p3042 - to Flying Officer Bernhorst Hermanus Botha (155758), R.A.F.V.R., 50 Sqn.
Citation: This officer has completed many sorties on his third tour of operations during which he has attacked a wide range of targets, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Stuttgart and other well-defended targets in Germany. He has at all times displayed outstanding keenness and his determination to press home his attacks has earned him many successes. Flying Officer Botha has rendered loyal and devoted service and his example has been most inspiring.
Recommendation (by Group Captain J.N.Jefferson, Commanding RAF Station, Skellingthorpe): Flying Officer Botha, who has done two previous tours of operations as an Air Gunner, has now completed 18 successful sorties as pilot and has attacked such targets as Berlin (twice), Stuttgart (3 times), Frankfurt (twice), Leipzig and Schweinfurt. On the night of 22/23rd March, 1944, Flying Officer Botha was detailed for an attack on Frankfurt. Shortly after take-off his port inner engine became unserviceable due to a leak in the pipe line between the master fuel cock and the engine. The aircraft was at a height of 15,000 feet when the incident occurred. Finding that he was unable to maintain height on three engines with the full bomb load, Flying Officer Botha gave instructions to jettison 4 cans on incendiary bombs. In spite of this set-back and, although his aircraft had not yet crossed enemy territory, he decided to continue and attack the target. When he found that by sticking to the original route he would be unable to maintain the planned time at the turning point, he directed the navigator to give him a course which would take him straight to the target; this involved flying across the Ruhr. The aircraft arrived over the target some ten minutes after the last time of bombing and at a height of only 10,000 feet. Nevertheless, Flying Officer Botha pressed home his attack and obtained a photograph of the target conditions. His cool determination in spite of enemy opposition has always been noteworthy and his enthusiasm for attacking the enemy has been a splendid example. For his outstanding devotion to duty he is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Remarks by Base Commander (Air Commodore A.Heskell, No. 53 Base, Waddington): In my experience the case of F/Lt. Botha is unique as being the first Air Gunner to complete two operational tours and then return for a third tour as Captain of a heavy Bomber. I can confirm all that the Station Commander writes of him and consider that the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross would be suitable recognition for outstanding service. Very strongly recommended. It is regretted that more details of this officer's earlier tours are not available.
Remarks by Air or other Officer commanding (AVM R.A.Cochrane, No.5 Group): This officer has a magnificent operational record. He served in Coastal Command between April and November 1940, completing 30 trips on Ansons and Beauforts. From November 1940 until August 1941 he completed 45 trips on Wellington aircraft in Bomber Command, all the sorties being undertaken as an Air Gunner. He has now completed 18 sorties as pilot and captain of aircraft.
USA DFC: Supplement to LG 17/4/1945, p2029 - to Acting Flight Lieutenant Bernhorst Hermanus Botha, D.S.O., D.F.C. (155758), R.A.F.V.R. in recognition of distinguished services in connection with the war.
With research.