A particularly fine Second War 'North Africa' D.S.O., night fighter's D.F.C., '1954' A.F.C....

A particularly fine Second War ‘North Africa’ D.S.O., night fighter’s D.F.C., ‘1954’ A.F.C. group of thirteen awarded to Hurricane and Mustang ‘Ace’ Group Captain, late Sergeant Pilot, J. T. ‘Johnny’ Shaw, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who achieved rare success in Hurricanes by Day and Night and in May 1943 was recommended by Air Vice Marshal H. P. Lloyd as “probably the greatest expert on night intruding in single-engined aircraft in the Royal Air Force at the present time.” He was credited with at least 6 enemy aircraft destroyed, 1 shared destroyed, 2 probables and 2 damaged serving with 3 and 32 Squadrons, between April 1941 - April 1943. Having served with 3 Squadron over the night skies of London and beyond, he went on to command 32 Squadron in North Africa, before commanding 122 Squadron in France during the immediate aftermath of D-Day in June 1944. Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated ‘1943’, with integral top riband bar; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1942’; Air Force Cross, E.II.R., reverse officially dated ‘1954’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Flt. Lt. J. T. Shaw. R.A.F.V.R.); Coronation 1953; Belgium, Order of Leopold, Military Division, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamel, French motto, with silver palm emblem on riband; Croix de Guerre, L.III.R.,, bronze, with bronze palm emblem on riband, British awards mounted court-style (in this order), cleaned, generally very fine or better (lot) (13) (13) £14,000-£18,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.O. London Gazette 20 August 1943. The recommendation (taken from Air Ministry Bulletin 11184 of 20 August 1943) states: Squadron Leader Shaw, now on his second tour of operational duty, has led his squadron on a large number of operational sorties. These have included night intruder sorties, low-level machine gun attacks, convoy patrols and sweeps. A magnificent leader, he has invariably set an inspiring example to his subordinates.’ The following recommendation, dated 29 May 1943, also exists: ‘Squadron Leader Shaw has been on operational flying for the greater part of the war. On his first operational tour he completed 350 hours and 210 sorties on single-seater fighters, destroying six enemy aircraft and probably destroying two others. Of these, six were at night. In January, 1942, after destroying three and probably one enemy aircraft he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In September, 1942, he was given command of No. 32 Squadron and started his second operational tour, since when he has completed 186 hours operational flying and has led his Squadron on 100 sorties. These have included night intruding, ground strafing, fighter nights, anti-torpedo bomber reccos, convoy patrols and special sweeps at dawn and dusk. In April, 1943, he took an extra flight from his Squadron to Souk-El-Khemis for night intruder work in Tunisia. During the ten days they were there he destroyed two Ju 88’s and probably destroyed another over their aerodrome at night. He also made several successful attacks on enemy transport. He is probably the greatest expert on night intruding in single-engined aircraft in the Royal Air Force at the present time. He is a magnificent leader and inspires those under him to a remarkable degree. Strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Service Order.’ D.F.C. London Gazette 27 March 1942: ‘This officer has been engaged on operational flying since November, 1940. He has taken part in operations against enemy aircraft by night, in numerous daylight sorties over enemy occupied territory and in many attacks on shipping. Flight Lieutenant Shaw has led his detachment with exceptional skill and keenness and he has destroyed at least 3 enemy aircraft.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Acting Flight Lieutenant J. T. Shaw joined No. 3 Squadron on the 18th November, 1940, as a Sergeant Pilot and served with ‘A’ Flight, at Sumburgh, Shetlands, during the Winter of 1940/41. In April, 1941, the Squadron moved into No. 11 Group and was stationed at Martlesham Heath. During the Squadron’s stay at Martlesham Heath Flight Lieutenant Shaw, whilst acting as a Section Leader, assisted in the destruction of a Ju 88 off Ostend on the 24th April, 1941. During the period this Squadron was engaged on “Fighter Nights” over London, Flight Lieutenant Shaw attacked and probably destroyed a He. 111 on the night of the 10th/11th May, 1941. He has since destroyed one Dornier 17 off Dunkerque on the 8th July, 1941, one M.E. 109F on the 10th August, 1941, and one Dornier 215 whilst on “Intruder” operations with a Long Range Hurricane off the Belgian Coast on the 8th February, 1942. In addition to these successes he has taken part in a number of sweeps over enemy occupied territory and also in a number of shipping strikes in the Channel when the Squadron detached one Flight to Manston for that purpose. Flight Lieutenant Shaw was granted a Commission on the 7th October, 1941, and was given Command of ‘B’ Flight, No. 3 Squadron, on the 27th December, 1941, with the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant. When the Detachment of Long Rang Hurricanes of No. 3 Squadron was formed Flight Lieutenant Shaw was put in charge of these aircraft for “Intruder” operations and by his exceptional keenness and skill has done a great deal to make the use of these aircraft a success whilst they have been based at Manston. Altogether Flight Lieutenant Shaw has been on operational flying for 15 months and he has by his keenness and ability been an outstanding example to the rest of the Pilots in the Squadron.’ A.F.C. London Gazette 1 January 1954. Belgium, Order of Leopold, Knight London Gazette 27 June 1947. The original recommendation states: ‘Sorties 546; flying hours 990. On June 9th, 1944, Wing Commander Shaw as Officer Commanding, 122 Squadron proceeded from Ford to B.7 Bayeux and operated on the Continent after ‘D’ Day. 61 sorties were carried out from this advanced airfield which included bombing of various targets in France and armed reconnaissance's over Belgium. This officer carried out a total of 200 hours operational flying in the above sectors returning to the United Kingdom on 18th August, 1944.’ Belgium, Croix de Guerre London Gazette 27 June 1947. John Thornhill Shaw was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire in April 1916. He was educated at Nailsworth College, Adelaide, Australia, 1929-34 and was employed by R. D. C. Clowne (Surveyors), Derbyshire in January 1938. Shaw enlisted as an A.C.2 in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in May 1939, and served in the ranks as a pilot under training. Having advanced to Sergeant Pilot, and then being commissioned Pilot Officer (on probation) he was posted for operational flying with ‘A’ Flight, 3 Squadron (Hurricanes) at Sumburgh, Shetlands in November 1940. The Squadron, heavily involved during the defence of France in May, was tasked with the protection of Scapa Flow whilst it recuperated. Shaw and the Squadron moved south to Martlesham Heath in April 1941, when their role changed to flying fighter night patrols over London. The Hurricane was ill-equipped for night-fighting, and victor...