Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 90
A Second War Halifax and Lancaster Mid Upper and Rear Gunner’s D.F.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant G. H. Sims, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in at least 31 operational sorties with 10 and 166 Squadrons, sharing in the destruction of a Ju. 88, before being killed in action on a raid to Stuttgart, 24/25 July 1944
Distinguished Flying Medal,
G.VI.R. (1810802. Sgt. G. H. Sims. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany, this loose on riband; War Medal 1939-45, with named condolence slip, and two newspaper cuttings, die flaw to crown of ACE, otherwise generally good very fine (4)
£1,800-£2,200 D.F.M. London Gazette 15 February 1944:
‘Sergeant Sims was posted to No. 10 Squadron in May, 1943, and after completing 23 sorties comprising 141 operational hours has now been recommended for screening and posting for instructional duties.
This N.C.O. has been one of the most efficient Mid Upper Gunners in an outstanding crew of this Squadron, and although his aircraft has on many occasions been badly damaged by flak, also night fighters, he has continued to operate with undiminished ardour and enthusiasm.
He was Mid Upper Gunner of a Halifax detailed to attack Aachen on the night of 13th July, 1943, when in the vicinity of the target area, the port inner engine ‘cut’. His Captain continued the operational flight and the target was successfully bombed. During a sortie on Leverkusen on 22nd August, 1943, his aircraft was attacked by a Ju. 88 which was engaged by Sergeant Sims and the rear gunner and, after a short combat, was claimed as destroyed. On the night of 27th August, 1943, during a raid on Nuremburg, the Halifax was attacked by three enemy night fighters, all these attacks were evaded by the Captain on evasive instructions from the two gunners.
Sergeant Sims, throughout his operational tour, has displayed a high morale and possesses the ideal temperament for operations - keen, watchful and eager to get at grips with the enemy. His unusual qualities of cheerful confidence have often proved invaluable in times of stress over the target and has at all times displayed an outstanding devotion to duty. I strongly recommend that his fine operational record be now recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.
Remarks by Station Commander:
This N.C.O. possesses fine fighting qualities. His courage and skill have set a most praiseworthy example to the air gunners of the Squadron. I do not hesitate in endorsing his Squadron Commander’s recommendation of the award of the D.F.M.’
George Henry Sims was the son of Henry Sims of Teddington, Middlesex and was educated at St. Mark’s (South Teddington) School. He served during the Second War with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and carried out his initial training as an Air Gunner at No. 1 A.G.S., No. 10 O.T.U. and 1663 Conversion Unit. Sims was posted for operational flying with 10 Squadron (Halifaxes) at Melbourne, Yorkshire in June 1943. He flew in at least 23 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Krefeld; Mulheim; Gelsenkirchen (2); Cologne (2); Aachen; Montebeliard; Hamburg (4); Essen; Leverkusen; Berlin (2); Nuremburg; Munchen Gladbach; Munich; Montlucon; Mondane; Hanover; Kassel (2) and Frankfurt.
The Combat Report for Sims’ aircraft during the raid to Leverkusen, 22/23 August 1943, gives the following:
‘... approaching Leverkusen. Time 23.45 hours. Position 50.38 N. 06.23 E. Heading 128 Magnetic. T.A.S. 200mph. Height 19,000 feet. Visibility moderate, 8/10 cloud.
An enemy aircraft, heard on Monica, was first seen by Rear Gunner [Sims] on starboard quarter, range 800 yards, with a light in its nose, and was identified as a Ju. 88. Enemy aircraft opened fire with a short inaccurate burst, which did not hit our aircraft, and closed in to attack. The captain of our aircraft was instructed to make a diving turn to starboard, and as he did so both gunners opened fire with long bursts. Strikes were observed on enemy aircraft by both gunners, and enemy aircraft broke away, to port beam with its port engine on fire. Our aircraft then resumed course, the enemy aircraft fell away on fire, and was last seen to explode on hitting the ground. This Ju. 88 is jointly claimed as destroyed. A Lancaster was observed in the vicinity during the combat, the crew of which could possibly confirm the claim. Approximately 500 rounds were fired from each turret.’
Sims was screened at the end of this tour, and was posted as an instructor to No. 1658 C.U. He returned for operational flying with 166 Squadron (Lancasters) at Kirmington in July 1944. Sims flew in at least 8 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Dijon; Foret de Croc; Revigny sur Ornain (2); Sanneville; Scholven Buer; Kiel and Stuttgart, 24/25 July 1944. On the latter date, with Flying Officer W. G. Shearer USAAF as his pilot, Sims’ Lancaster is believed to have been shot down near Olbronn, Germany. The entire crew of seven were killed in action, and are all buried in Dürnbach War Cemetery, Germany.
Sergeant Sims’ D.F.M. was presented to his mother at Buckingham Palace, 9 April 1946.
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