Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A Second War Beaufighter and Mosquito Pilot’s D.F.C. group of six awarded to Wing Commander A. J. Picknett, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who from 1941 served with 25 Night Fighter Squadron, claiming 3 German aircraft and completing 118 Operational Patrols, before joining 681 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron in August 1943, making a further 33 operational flights over targets in Burma and Siam, the majority piloting Mosquitos

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1944’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £1,400-£1,800

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D.F.C. London Gazette 17 November 1944.

The original recommendation states: ‘During the past twelve months Squadron Leader Picknett has completed 29 long range photographic reconnaissance sorties involving 149 hours flying in daylight over enemy territory. The results obtained have always been of the highest order. His two most outstanding flights have been obtaining, for the first time, full cover of the Kra Istmus Railway (a round flight of 1,900 miles) and a complete survey of Car Nicobar Island. As a Flight Commander his enthusiasm in undertaking the longest sorties and the skill with which he has completed them has been an inspiration to the aircrews under his command. On the ground, his devotion to duty and leadership have made him a popular yet successful commander. Prior to joining the squadron Squadron Leader Picknett had flown 256 hours of night fighter operations and destroyed three enemy aircraft.’

Alan John Picknett was born in 1921 and had his first training flights with the University Air Squadron (London) on 28 March 1939. At the outbreak of the Second War, he joined the Royal Air Force and was commissioned Acting Pilot Officer on 14 February 1940. His logbooks show he started flight training in July 1940 and he was confirmed in the rank of Pilot Officer on 2 December 1940. After extensive training as a night fighter pilot, he was finally posted to 25 Squadron at R.A.F. Wittering in February 1941. Piloting Bristol Beaufighter Mk1’s, between then and 14 November 1942 he would complete an incredible 103 operational night patrols and was credited with 3 German aircraft destroyed (logbook notes one of these damaged): an FW Condor destroyed, 1 May 1941; a Dornier Do.217 destroyed in flames, 29 May 1942; and a Dornier Do. 217 damaged, 29 July 1942.

Converting to Mosquito Mk.IX’s on 29 October of that year, Picknett would complete a further 10 operational night patrols, before being attached to 3rd Ferry Training Flight, R.A.F. Lyneham, on 13 January 1943. Having been promoted Flight Lieutenant (War Substantive) on 2 December 1942, after several similar attachments, Picknett was briefly posted to 27 Squadron on 18 July 1943. Piloting Mosquito Mk.II’s from Agartala, India, he seems mainly to have been testing aircraft for the squadron and on 10 August following, he was posted to 681 Squadron.

681 Squadron had recently been formed as a photographic reconnaissance squadron, equipped Mosquito Mk VI and XI’s, and it seems likely that Picknett had been sent out as a highly experienced pilot in this type. Operating over targets in Burma and Siam, paying particular attention to Rangoon, Mandalay, and the Andaman Islands, 681 Squadron took part in a major photographic survey of Burma, producing valuable information for the campaigns of 1944 and 1945. Between joining this Squadron and ending his tour on 17 July 1944, Picknett would complete 33 operational photographic reconnaissance flights and was recommended to be awarded the D.F.C. two weeks later. Interestingly 681 Squadron seems to have switched to Spitfire XI’s in September 1943; however, Picknett’s log shows the vast majority of his flights were piloting Mosquito’s, 4 others being B-25 Mitchell’s.

Posted to 23 Group at Calcutta on 18 July 1944, Picknett was posted back to Britain in November of that year and promoted Acting Squadron Leader on 21 November 1944. He spent the rest of the war as a Flight Instructor. Post-war, he served with a large number of Squadrons, training schools, and at the Air Ministry. Advanced Wing Commander on 1 January 1956, he finally retired on 28 January 1968.

Sold with the recipient’s six R.A.F. Pilot’s Flying Log Books, covering Picknett’s entire service; and a copy of the original recommendation for the D.F.C.