(x) 'Squadron Leader W. P. Sutcliffe, D.F.C., with three other pilots and their crews, returned from

(x) 'Squadron Leader W. P. Sutcliffe, D.F.C., with three other pilots and their crews, returned from their flight to France the previous day, when they escorted and navigated fighters. Charlie Breese, Attie Atkinson, Joe Hunt and Philip Sutcliffe stood before Paddy Bandon as he said, "We're now 82 Squadron. Yes, just us."Philip Sutcliffe recalls:When I returned to our base airfield, I was sent for by the Squadron Commander, Wing Commander the Earl of Bandon, who told me that of twelve Blenheims of 'B' Flight led by Mike Delap, no fewer than eleven had been shot down by A.A. and fighters over Belgium. Only one returned to Watton and it was very badly shot up. Squadron Leader Delap survived and I received a letter from him whilst he was in a Belgian hospital. The squadron commander had the squadron up to full strength in aircraft and crews within the next three days.'Valiant Wings, by Norman Franks, refers.A fine post-war C.B., early Second World War operations D.F.C. group of ten awarded to Air Commodore W. P. Sutcliffe, Royal Air Force, a lucky survivor of the massacre of Blenheim aircrews over the Low Countries and France in May-June 1940Pre-war he became something of a star during a protracted period of attachment to the Senior Service, surviving several close calls and in excess of 300 deck landingsBut it was for his gallant part in a low-level and hotly contested recce of Sylt Island, the morning after a much hyped strike on Hornum aerodrome in March 1940, that he won his D.F.C. His part in that trail-blazing operation was a success, unlike the cover-up of the results of his photographic work on the same occasion - for those photographs later came to light and revealed that Hornum aerodrome had escaped unscathedSubsequently plunged into the relentless - and costly - Blenheim operations of May-June 1940, he led formations of No. 82 Squadron on numerous occasions, a period of active service reflecting admirable courage in the face of heavy opposition: small wonder he was invited in the summer of 1940 to assist in the production of an episode of Time Inc.'s 'March of Time' short film seriesThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.), Military Division, Companion's neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1940'; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, Air Crew Europe; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1953; United States of America, Legion of Merit, Officer's breast badge, gilt and enamel, the reverse machine engraved, 'Walter P. Sutcliffe', with its case of issue, together with the recipient's embroidered uniform 'Wings', mounted as worn where applicable, generally very fine and better (10). Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.