Campaign Groups and Pairs x333 Three: Warrant Officer Air Gunner E. W. Samson, Royal Air Force


1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with Air Council enclosure, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mr. E. W. Samson, Cranfield, Buckingham.’, nearly extremely fine (3)


£200-£240


Ellis Warren Samson was born in Muswell Hill, London, on 16 November 1909, and joined the Royal Air Force on 15 February 1943. He served during the Second World War as both a Rear Gunner and an Air Gunner overseas from 20 December 1943, initially with the British North African Forces in Egypt, before getting his first Squadron posting, to 70 Squadron, based at Tortorella, in March 1944. Flying Wellingtons, his first operational sortie was on 24 March 1944, on a raid to Sofia; further targets over the next five months included Milan, Budapest, and Bucharest, as well as raids on various docks, oil refineries, and marshalling yards in Italy, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia. He completed his tour on 19 August 1944, with a dual fighter and bomber attack on the Ploesti Oil Refinery in Romania. Returning to the U.K. on 6 January 1945, he was released on 2 April 1946.


Sold with the recipient’s Royal Air Force Navigator’s, Air Bomber’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book, covering the period 5 June 1943 to 19 August 1944; the recipient’s Service and Release Book; three driving licences; a portrait photograph of the recipient; and cloth Air Gunner’s brevet.


334


Six: Flight Sergeant R. W. Barber, Royal Air Force


1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (651578 F. Sgt. R. W. Barber. R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (651578 F. Sgt. R. W. Barber. R.A.F.) very fine (6)


£220-£260


x335


Three: Sergeant Air Gunner P. D. Webb, Royal Air Force, who flew 11 operational sorties with 103 Squadron, and then a further 8 operational sorties with 156 Squadron, Path Finder Force, February to April 1943


1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with Air Council enclosure, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘P. D. Webb, Esq., Ravenfield, Rotherham, Yorks.’, extremely fine (3)


£380-£420


Philip David Webb was born on 27 June 1920, and attested for the Royal Air Force on 9 September 1942. Promoted Sergeant on 28 November 1942, he undertook a conversion course at 1656 Conversion Unit at R.A.F. Linholme in January 1943, before being posted as an Air Gunner to 103 Squadron, based at R.A.F. Elsham Wolds, in February 1943. Flying Lancasters, his first operational sortie was to Lorient on 7 February 1943; further operational sorties over the next 30 days included Wilhelmshaven, Bremen, Nuremberg (twice) Cologne, St Nazaire, Hamberg, Essen, Munich, and Berlin: ‘1 March 1943. Operation No. 7. Berlin. Air Opposition: Saw 3 fighters, 1 Ju.88 ands 2 Me.210s. Ground Opposition: Bags of searchlights and light and heavy flak over target. On way back ran into a terrific barrage at 4,000 feet over Emden. Bomb Aimer hit in face by piece of shrapnel. Bombed target which was a mass of flames.’ (the recipient’s Log Book refers).


At the end of March 1943 Webb transferred with his crew to 156 Squadron, Path Finder Force, based at R.A.F. Warboys, and throughout April, again flying Lancasters, carried out a further 8 operations sorties. His first three were to St. Nazaire, Essen, and Dusiberg, before his crew had their first operational sortie as Markers, to Stuttgart: ‘14 April 1943. Operation No. 15. Stuttgart. Chased by Ju.88. Successful E.A. taken and fighter lost. Moon very bright. Target burning well. First trip as markers.’ (ibid).


Webb carried out four further operational sorties in April 1943, to Pilsen, Spezia, Stettin, and Duisberg, enjoying the low level flying which he describes as ‘Wizard’. However, after 19 operational sorties, and less then two thirds of the way through his tour, he transferred to Airfield Control, for reasons unknown.


Sold with the recipient’s Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book, covering the period 28 October 1942 to 3 February 1944, in which each operational sortie is well written-up; the recipient’s Airman’s Service and Pay Book; and cloth Air Gunner’s brevet.


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