About the product

DFM 97 SQN 1944

Distinguished Flying Medal, GVI, 1415475 Sergeant George Alfred Leonard, Path Finder Force, 97th Straits Settlements Squadron, Royal Air Force

Out of stock

Origin: United Kingdom
Nearly Extremely Fine

Description

Distinguished Flying Medal, GVI, 1415475 Sergeant George Alfred Leonard, 97th Straits Settlements Squadron, Royal Air Force

 

George Alfred Leonard earned his D.F.M. as a Sergeant Air Gunner with Path Finder Force, 8 Group Unit, 97 Straits Settlements Squadron.
He had completed 253 hours 25 mins time flown on operations over 35 1/3 sorties, 9 1/3 of which had been with the Path Finder Force and 8 1/3 as a Marker.

 

His Recommendation reads:

 

“This N.C.O. has carried out 35 1/3 operational sorties, 9 1/3 of which have been in Path Finder Force, 8 1/3 as Marker.

 

Sergeant Leonard has at all times shown every enthusiasm for operations. His skill as a gunner has frequently enabled his Captain to evade enemy aircraft and successfully press home their attacks over heavily defended targets. His infectious enthusiasm and alertness have done a great deal to sustain the high morale of his crew.

 

It is recommended that he be awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, Signed Wing Commander, Commanding No 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron, R.A.F. Bourne, 15th April 1944.”

 

His Station Commander added: “A very keen Air Gunner with considerable operational experience. Recommended.”

 

He had seen a significant amount of operations before he started his tour with 97 Squadron, the Operational Record Book shows that he joined the Aircrew of 97th Squadron from 8th February 1944 as Air Gunner.

 

His recommendation adds the following Brief Details of Sorties carried out with 97 Squadron:

 

Date-Time-Target-Details

 

29.12.43 – 6.35 – Berlin – Successful
02.01.44 – 6.55 – Berlin – Successful
14.01.44 – 5.20 – Brunswick – Successful
20.01.44 – 6.45 – Berlin – Successful
21.01.44 – 7.15 – Magdeburg – Successful
30.01.44 – 6.00 – Berlin – Successful
25.02.44 – 7.10 – Augsburg – Successful
01.03.44 – 7.00 – Stuttgart – Successful
31.03.44 – 6.40 – Nuremberg – Successful
09.04.44 – 3.05 – Lille – Successful

 

Brief Details of Sorties Carried Out Prior to Joining 97 Squadron:

 

10.11.42 – 4.20 – Mine Laying Op – Successful
16.11.42 – 8.05 – Mine Laying Op – Successful
22.11.42 – 8.30 – Stuttgart – Successful
28.11.42 – 8.45 – Turin – Successful
06.12.42 – 7.00 – Mannheim – Successful
08.12.42 – 10.05 – Mine Laying Op – Successful
17.12.42 – 7.50 – Mine Laying Op – Successful
20.12.42 – 4.25 – Duisberg – Successful
23.01.43 – 5.15 – Lorient – Successful
03.02.43 – 6.25 – Hamburg – Successful
04.02.43 – 8.15 – Turin – Successful
07.02.43 – 5.10 – Lorient – Successful
16.02.43 – 5.10 – Lorient – Successful
19.02.43 – 3.05 – Wilhelmshaven – Successful
25.02.43 – 7.30 – Nuremberg – Successful
26.02.43 – 4.15 – Cologne – Successful
28.02.43 – 5.10 – St Nazaire – Successful
01.03.43 – 7.35 – Berlin – Successful
09.03.43 – 7.25 – Munich – Successful
11.03.43 – 6.10 – Stuttgart – Successful
12.03.43 – 4.05 – Essen – Successful
27.03.43 – 7.35 – Berlin – Successful
29.03.43 – 8.20 – Berlin – Successful
04.04.43 – 5.35 – Keil – Successful
10.04.43 – 5.40 – Frankfurt – Successful
16.04.43 – 5.30 – Mannheim – Successful