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Lot 787
An extremely well-documented Second War Luftwaffe Pilot’s group of three awarded to Oberleutnant Konrad Paul Schloßarzyk, an HE 111 bomber pilot of KG1 during ‘The Blitz’, who bombed London at least a dozen times and also took part in Operation Moonlight Serenade, the devastating raid on Coventry in November 1940. Retraining as a fighter pilot, Schloßarzyk flew ME109s with JG3 and JG5 on the Finnish Russian Front in Finland, racking up some 128 combat missions by 12 March 1943, and was killed whilst serving as a flying instructor during the American bombing on Halberstadt Airfield on 30 May 1944, his entire combat history recorded in his original Luftwaffe Flying Log Books included with the lot Germany, Third Reich, Iron Cross 1939 (2), First Class breast badge, silver with iron centre, with screwback suspension, the reverse stamped ‘L/13’ for Paul Meybauer, Berlin; Second Class breast badge, silver with iron centre, unmarked; War Merit Cross 1939, Second Class, with swords, bronze; together with the recipient’s Pilot’s Badge, this in relic condition, with the Swastika detached from the Eagle; and the Eagle detached from the wreath; and Wound Badge in black, this also in relic condition lacking retaining pin; the two Iron Crosses and War Merit Cross good very fine £1,000-£1,400 --- Konrad Paul Schloßarzyk was born in Leipzig on 30 October 1918 and joined the Luftwaffe as an Oberfahnrich in early 1939, making his first training flight (FW44) on 3 April. His first solo flight followed on 8 May - this being his 61st flight (HE72) - and after that he continued training on several aircraft types, with his first flight as pilot of a HE 111 bomber on 23 February 1940. He soon after qualified for his Pilot’s badge on 8 March 1940. He was promoted Leutnant on 1 April 1940, gaining his night flying certificate on 1 June 1940. Continuing his training and familiarisation flights throughout 1940, he crash-landed his HE 111 in France during a flight from Rosières to Gutersloh on 9 August 1940. Service as a Heinkel HE 111 Pilot during the Blitz Schloßarzyk became operational when posted to Stab1/KG1 (Kampfgeschwader “Hindenberg”) based at Montdidier, in France in September 1940. Piloting Heinkel HE 111h series medium bombers during the early stages of the ‘The Blitz’, he was awarded both the Iron Cross Second and First Classes for his service. During the Blitz, he took part in night attacks on London on 29 September 1940 (his 1st combat mission), and subsequently further night attacks on 11, 13, 14, 15, 26, and 28 October, and on 1, 5, 6, 15 and 16 November. He also took part in daylight attacks on London on 7 and 10 November 1940, and night attacks on Coventry on 14 and 19 November, the latter being his 16th combat mission. Service as a Messerschmitt BF 109 Fighter Pilot Schloßarzyk was subsequently posted back to Germany for training on fighter aircraft, taking his first fight in a Messerschmitt BF 109d on 28 January 1941. By October 1941 he had transferred to Luftwaffe Northern (Arctic) detachment and was based at Stavanger, Sola, in Norway, with Luftflotte 5 - probably Luftgaukdo Norwegen Stab 13/JG 77 flying a Messerschmitt BF 109 day fighter. He then moved to Alakurtti, Finland, on the Verman Defence Line, as part of Luftflotte 5, just north of the Arctic Circle. Schloßarzyk took part 60th combat mission on 4 March 1942 (qualifying for his Silver Day Fighter clasp) and was promoted Oberleutnant on 1 April 1942. Posted to Petsamo, a port on the Northern Lapland coast on the Arctic Ocean, and just 40 miles from Russian Murmansk, he then moved between Kirkenes, Norway and Petsamo, Finland, where on the 11 September he made his 100th combat mission. Flying from various airfields in Norway and Finland over the following months, on 23 February 1943 he flew his 110th combat mission (qualifying for his Gold Day Fighter clasp). On 1 March 1943, flying a BF 109F-4 with II/JG-5, he suffered a post-operational landing crash at Alakurtti airfield, but was back flying two days later and on 12 March he completed his 128th and final combat mission. Flying Instructor, and killed at Halberstadt Schloßarzyk was back in Germany by the beginning of May 1943, based at Halberstadt, Sachsen-Anhalt, where he became a flying instructor at the Luftkriegsschule III Oschatz, making a further 477 instructional flights. On 30 May 1944, U.S. 8th Airforce bombed the Junkers Aircraft Plant and Airfield at Halberstadt. During the U.S. bombing, a direct hit on an air-raid shelter killed the complete staff of 2 Inspektion Luftkriegsschule III, comprising five Luftwaffe officers, plus two soldiers and the wife of one of the airfield’s senior officers. Schloßarzyk was one of the officers in the shelter at this time and was killed. At the time of his death, he had recorded 1597 flights. Sold with the following documentary archive: i) The recipient’s two original Luftwaffe Flying Log Books, detailing his entire flying service from training until death ii) Original certificate for the recipient’s Pilots badge, dated 8 March 1940; Iron Cross Second Class, dated 24 October 1940; Iron Cross First Class dated 13 November 1940; Fighter operational flying clasp in Silver, dated 8 March 1942; Fighter operational flying clasp in Gold, dated 1 January 1943; and Ostmedaille, dated 15 November 1942 iii) Commission documents for Leutnant and Oberleutnant iv) Two identity documents with his photographs v) A U.S.A.F. leaflet dropped circa 1944, offering German soldiers safe conduct if they surrender vi) Approximately 30 original photographs, including portraits of Schloßarzyk and his aircraft,including those he crashed and others.
Lot 788
An unattributed German Third Reich NSDAP group of four Faithful Service Medal, Second Class, for 25 years’ service, silver and enamel; NSDAP Faithful Service Decoration, Second Class, for 15 years’ service, silver and enamel; NSDAP Faithful Service Decoration, Third Class, for 10 years’ service, bronze; the Entry into Austria Medal 13 March 1938, 2nd issue, silver, mounted as worn but the riband bar now lacking attachment pin, nearly extremely fine (4) £500-£700
Lot 789
An unattributed German Third Reich Customs group of three Armed Forces Long Service Medal, Third Class, for 12 years’ service, bronze, with gold Third Reich eagle and swastika device on riband; Armed Forces Long Service Medal, Fourth Class, for 4 years’ service, silvered, with silver Third Reich eagle and swastika device on riband; Customs Service Cross, bronze, with miniature award attached to the riband, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240
Lot 79
Three: Leading Seaman S. Higgs, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Lion at the Battle of Jutland 1914-15 Star (J.31136, S. Higgs, Ord., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.31136 S. Higgs. A.B., R.N.) mounted for display with traces of adhesive to reverse of VM; together with a gold prize medal (9ct, 7.36g), the reverse engraved ‘H.M.S. Resolution Winners Kings Cup 1922-1923 S. Higgs’; and a bronze prize medal, the reverse engraved ‘Runners-Up 1st B.S. 2nd Div. Ships Football Compt. 1922-23. Resolution’, generally very fine or better (5) £300-£400 --- Sydney Higgs was born in Stone, Staffordshire in May 1897. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in May 1914, and advanced to Leading Seaman in January 1919. Higgs served with H.M.S. Lion (battle cruiser) from January 1915, and served with her at the Battle of Jutland where she was Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty’s fleet flagship of the Battle Cruiser Fleet. The Lion was hit a total of 14 times during the battle, including sustaining near-catastrophic damage to Q-turret, and suffered 99 dead and 51 wounded. Although mortally wounded, Major Francis Harvey, Royal Marines, the Q-turret gun commander, ordered the magazine and turret to be flooded, which although costing him his life saved the magazine from exploding, which would undoubtedly have sunk the ship; for his bravery and self sacrifice he was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Higgs was discharged by purchase in August 1923.
Lot 795
A Korean War Dutch group of four attributed to J. J. M. De Haan, De Jagers (The Hunters) Regiment, later Dutch Navy Netherlands, Kingdom, Cross for Order and Peace, bronze, with clasps for 1948 and 1949; Cross for Justice and Freedom, silver, with clasp for Korea 1950; Navy Long Service Medal, bronze; U.N. Korea Medal, Dutch issue, mounted as worn; together with the riband bar for the first, second, and fourth, generally very fine (5) £100-£140 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Johannes Jacobus Maria De Haan served with the De Jagers (The Hunters) Regiment during the Indonesian campaign, and with the Dutch Navy in Destroyers during the Korean War. Sold with a Dutch Mobilisation War Cross 1914; a commemorative medallion; and a photograph album showing scenes from the Indonesia Campaign.
Lot 8
Alexander Davison’s Medal for The Nile 1798, bronze (John Fynne. Ordy. Alexander 74) naming engraved in small capitals in reverse field, fitted with ring and straight bar suspension, nearly very fine £400-£500 --- Provenance: Ron Wright Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, November 2021. H.M.S. Alexander was in the thick of the action, engaging the French 120-gun flagship L’Orient, which caught fire and exploded.
Lot 802
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Medal for the Defence of Leningrad, bronze; Medal for the Defence of Moscow, bronze; Medal for the Defence of the Caucasus, bronze; Medal for the Capture of Koenigsburg, bronze; Medal for the Capture of Berlin, bronze; Medal for the Liberation of Prague, bronze; Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw, bronze, generally very fine and better (7) £70-£90
Lot 803
A United States of America Second War D.F.C. group of five awarded to J. White United States of America, Distinguished Flying Cross, bronze; Bronze Star, bronze; Air Medal, bronze; Army Commendation Medal, bronze; Army Good Conduct Medal, bronze, with five knot bar, all unofficially engraved ‘J. White’; together with a ‘sterling’ silver pilot’s wings, good very fine (6) £60-£80
Lot 804
A United States of America Bronze Star and Purple Heart pair awarded to Lieutenant E. A. Scott Bronze Star (Edward A Scott 01594027 6 Oct. 1945) unofficially engraved, in case of issue; Purple Heart, gilt and enamel, unnamed, in case of issue, central Washington emblem detached from latter but present, very fine (2) £60-£80 --- Sold with the recipient’s aluminium identity tags; medal riband bar; and a photograph of the recipient.
Lot 805
A United States of America Bronze Star and Purple Heart group of three awarded to Private First Class K. N. McConnell, 258th Infantry Regiment United States of America, Bronze Star, bronze (Kenneth N. McConnell) engraved; Purple Heart, gilt and enamel (Kenneth N. McConnell) engraved; Army Good Conduct Medal, bronze (Kenneth N. McConnell) engraved, nearly extremely fine (3) £80-£100 --- Kenneth N. McConnell, Company K, 358th Infantry Regiment, was born in Kalkaska County, Michigan on 28 January 1928 and enlisted in December 1942. He served in the Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns, his Purple Heart being awarded for service on 21 March 1945: ‘On 20 March the entire Battalion crossed the Nahe, moving forward behind the 1st and 2nd Battalions. At 1410, I and K Companies relieved Task Force Speiss about 750m short of Bretzenheim. It was here that an enemy raiding patrol of 50 men destroyed one of our tanks and generally raised all kinds of hell until T/5 Garret of the Battalion AT platoon hopped on a jeep and turned loose with a .50 cal. Machine gun, effectively dispersing the patrol. The attack against Bretzenheim was launched at 0550 on 21 March with I and K Companies in the assault. Enemy resistance was very determined and included heavy artillery, mortar and 20 mm AA gun fire. The town was finally secured by 1800 but only after the Battalion had suffered 36 casualties (including McConnell) and fought for almost every house. Mines and booby traps were also something to guard against. A total of 165 prisoners were taken on this day. From here the Battalion attacked Mainz at 0600 the next morning. By noon K and L companies had cleared 60 square blocks, taken 240 prisoners and once again reached the Rhine river. The city of Mainz was mostly rubble due to repeated air attacks and there was hardly a single building left intact. Numerous road blocks, mines and debris created a big problem as almost all the streets were so filled with rubble that vehicles could not pass. Following a final mop-up of the city on the morning of 23 March, the 1st Battalion relieved us and the Companies assembled in Bretzenheim as Regimental reserve.’ (90th Division History refers). McConnell died at Fife Lake, Michigan, on 21 June 1984. Sold with the recipient’s identity tags; riband bar; a religious medallion said to have been carried by the recipient during the war; and several wartime army documents.
Lot 806
A United States of America ‘Korean War’ Bronze Star and Purple Heart group of six awarded to Corporal G. C. Salay United States of America, Bronze Star, bronze, unnamed, with ‘V’ and oakleaf cluster emblems on riband; Purple Heart, gilt and enamel (Gene Salay) engraved naming, in case of issue; Army Good Conduct Medal, bronze; Korea Service Medal, bronze, with two bronze stars on riband; National Defense Service Medal, bronze; U.N. Korea Medal 1950-54, unnamed as issued; together with the recipient’s Combat Infantryman Badge, good very fine (6) £100-£140 --- Gene Salay was wounded in Korea on 13 July 1953. Sold with award certificate for the Purple Heart (this laminated); an image believed to be of the recipient; and the recipient’s riband bar. Note: The ‘V’ device on the recipient’s Bronze Star is worn solely to denote ‘participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.’
Lot 807
A United States of America ‘Vietnam War’ Bronze Star and Purple Heart group of four awarded to J. R. Daniels United States of America, Bronze Star, bronze (Johnny R. Daniels) engraved naming; Purple Heart, gilt and enamel (Johnny R. Daniels) engraved naming; Vietnam Service Medal, bronze; National Defense Service Medal, bronze; together with the recipient’s damaged Combat Infantryman Badge, nearly extremely fine (4) £80-£100
Lot 808
United States of America, Bronze Star (Richard Kelly) engraved naming, in case of issue; Purple Heart, gilt and enamel (John N. Horning) engraved naming, in case of issue; Philippine Insurrection Medal 1899, bronze, officially numbered ‘M. No. 6173’, good very fine (3) £70-£90 --- Richard Kelly was awarded his Bronze Star for service in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 7th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division, between 7 and 17 January 1967. Sold with framed award document, citation, and a photograph of soldiers in Vietnam. John Noel Horning was awarded his Purple Heart for service in Vietnam, and died in Maryland Heights, Mo, on 29 June 2006.
Lot 809
A United States of America Second War Purple Heart pair awarded to R. F. Foss United States of America, Purple Heart, gilt and enamel, unnamed, in case of issue; Army Good Conduct Medal (Ray F. Foss) engraved naming; together with the recipient’s unit and rank insignia, good very fine A United States of America Second War Purple Heart pair awarded to A. Bella United States of America, Purple Heart, gilt and enamel (Aldo Bella) engraved naming, in case of issue; Army Good Conduct Medal, bronze, unnamed; together with the recipient’s Combat Infantryman badge, this missing attachment clips, good very fine United States of America, Purple Heart, gilt and enamel (2) (Rensey Perry; Robert J Giles) both with engraved, the second in case of issue, nearly extremely fine (6) £100-£140 --- Aldo Bella served as a Private in the 313th Infantry Regiment was wounded in action (two gunshot wounds) in Normandy in July 1944. He was entitled to the Victory Medal 1945, American Campaign Medal 1941-45, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and Combat Infantryman badge. Sold with copy discharge papers. Rensey Perry served as a Private in the 254th Infantry regiment, 63rd Division, and was killed in action at Orlach, Germany on 16 April 1945. Sold with copy detailed Individual Deceased Personnel File, which included documents relating to the handling and reburial of his body at East Bank, West Virginia.
Lot 810
A United States of America Second War Navy group of four awarded to G. L. Long United States of America, Navy Good Conduct Medal (Guy Leroy Long 1943); American Campaign Medal 1941-45, bronze; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, bronze; Navy Occupation Service Medal, bronze, mounted as worn together with the riband for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal 1941-45, extremely fine A United States of America Second War Navy group of six awarded to R. E. Miller United States of America, American Campaign Medal 1941-45, bronze; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, bronze; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, bronze; American Defense Service Medal, bronze, with Base clasp; Victory Medal 1945, bronze; Navy Good Conduct Medal (Raymond Earl Miller 1945) the first four all in card boxes of issue, extremely fine United States of America, Navy Good Conduct Medal (Frank Albert Gilmore 1938) engraved naming; together with the recipient’s rank badge and pre-Second War Navy continuous service certificates giving full details of his naval service between 1934 and 1946; Army Good Conduct Medal (David T Parker) engraved naming, good very fine (12) £70-£90
Lot 82
An unusual Great War D.S.M. pair awarded to Junior Reserve Attendant S. Rothwell, Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve, attached Royal Naval Air Service Seaplane Base, Dunkerque Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (M. 15814 S. Rothwell, Jun. Res. Att., R.N.A.S. Dunkerque, 27 June 1917); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, with bronze leaf riband fitment, the first with minor official correction to unit, edge nicks and contact marks, nearly very fine or better (2) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 11 August 1917. The original recommendation states: ‘M. 15814 Stanley Rothwell, Sick Berth Attendant, was injured in the foot which was badly bruised, blistered and swollen, and must have been extremely painful. He, however, limped about his duty and although the first aid gear was scattered and broken by the explosion, attended to all the casualties before he had himself attended to. This occurred after a 15-inch shell exploded outside the Seaplane Base, Dunkerque, as a result of which three men were killed and 13 wounded. There was apparently no doctor present’ (TNA AIR/74 refers). French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 19 December 1919. Stanley Rothwell, who was born in Warrington, Lancashire in March 1894, entered the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve in October 1915, and served at the R.N. Hospital Haslar until being attached to the Royal Naval Air Service’s Seaplane Base at Dunkirk in March 1916. His subsequent deeds in the attack of 27 June 1917 also won him his Croix de Guerre (TNA ADM 116/1576 refers), while his rate of Junior Reserve Attendant on his D.S.M. may well be unique. Rothwell was demobilised in April 1919.
Lot 838
Miscellaneous Royal Navy Insignia. Comprising two Royal Navy belt buckles; various Royal Navy and Royal Marines cap badges; and a selection of buttons; together with an unnamed Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue; a U.N.E.F. Medal; a N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Kosovo, in case of issue; a Kuwaiti Medal for the Liberation of Kuwait 1991, 4th Grade, bronze, in case of issue; a Saudi Arabia Combat Medal for the War against Iraq, in case of issue; and a copy Canal Zone clasp, generally good condition (lot) £60-£80
Lot 85
A Great War D.S.C. group of eight awarded to Commander H. Forrester, Royal Navy, for services whilst commanding torpedo boat destroyers in the Dover Patrol Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1915, and attractively engraved ‘Lieut,. Henry Forrester, R.N. Presented by King George V. Oct. 4th 1916. “Carried out dangerous patrol duties with marked ability”; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. H. Forrester. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Commr H. Forrester. R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, reverse dated 1914-1917, with bronze palm on riband; Portugal, Republic, Military Order of Avis, Officer’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with rosette and riband bar, enamel chips to the last, otherwise good very fine (8) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.S.C. London Gazette 25 July 1916: ‘Carried out dangerous patrol duties with marked ability.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 25 July 1916 and 26 April 1918. French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 17 May 1918: ‘Awarded for mine laying operations.’ Portuguese Order of Avis London Gazette 4 February 1921: ‘Officer escorting Portuguese Expeditionary Force to France.’ Henry Forrester was born at Colinton, Midlothian, on 11 October 1887, and passed out of Britannia on 15 May 1904; Midshipman, 30 July 1904; Lieutenant, 1 April 1910; Lieutenant-Commander, 1 April 1918; Commander (Retired), 11 October 1927. In January 1915 Forrester was given command of the torpedo boat destroyer H.M.S. Kangaroo, part of the Sixth Flotilla in the Dover Patrol. He was appointed to the command of the torpedo boat destroyer H.M.S. Leven on 2 December 1915, and was awarded the D.S.C. for his work with the Dover Patrol in offensive operations on the Belgian Coast during the winter months of 1915-16. In June 1917 he transferred his command to the torpedo boat destroyer H.M.S. Meteor, again with the Dover Patrol, and did good work in mine laying operations as related in Keeping the Seas, by E. R. G. R. Evans [’of the Broke’ fame]: ‘We had a very bright sample of officer attached to our patrol in the person of Lieut.-Commander Henry Forrester, D.S.C., who commanded the mine-laying destroyer Meteor. He was absolutely without fear, and I personally had more to do with with Forrester than with many of the other junior officers commanding ships of the Dover Patrol. In 1917 particularly, I used to escort him to a position near the Thornton Ridge, where he had established a zero mark buoy, from which he worked to lay his lines of forty mines or so. A description of one night will do for all. The barrage patrol would withdraw at dusk; the vessels would anchor in Dunkirk Roads, or to the northward of the bank which protects the roads, according to the state of tide for that night. A couple of hours before high water, the Meteor would take station abeam of the commanding flotilla leader and a little procession would form up to accompany her to the zero point from which she worked to get into position for laying. The flotilla leader, with her following of modern destroyers, would screen the Meteor up to the Thornton Ridge, or to whatever zero point had been decided on, and then, if no enemy vessels were met with, “g” would be flashed from Forrester’s ship, and he would proceed independently over to the prescribed position where his mines would be deposited. Personally, I loved these night mine-laying stunts; I had grown tired of seeing the enemy on the horizon and never being able to close him, on account of our mine barrage, but night time brought such boundless possibilities. A new division of destroyers might come from Wilhelmshaven to join the Flanders flotilla; a destroyer might be met with, intent on bombarding Lowestoft, Aldburgh, or some other fishermen’s home; small “A” class T.B.D,’s might be met with, or even enemy trawlers: a chance of a scrap we always looked forward to, and our personnel was splendid. I frankly admit that German gunnery was pretty advanced but they never profited sufficiently by it, and they were not out to fight. Our fellows certainly were intent on fighting, and if I have any criticism to make in this little volume on our own sailors, it is that they treated the war as a football match, rather than a contest of brains. Whenever I accompanied Forrester and his Meteor I felt a thrill of pride run through me, for this little red-faced man must have crossed and re-crossed the German minefields on almost every occasion when he took his Meteor up the coast. His work was splendid, and I shall never forget the feeling of apprehension which crept over me when I saw the little Meteor disappearing into the darkness. The impression left on my mind was a cloud of black smoke, a phosphorescent wake and a tin kettle full of men who were keen as mustard; then the period of suspense - an hour, possibly two. We knew her speed; we knew the position in which the mines were to be laid and we therefore anticipated to within five minutes the instant of her re-appearance. It all comes back to me so vividly. The bow wave reported by the look-out, the quickly-flashed challenge and acknowledgement, the feeling of relief and the signal, “Speed 20 knots,” flashed by the lamp which only showed in the direction decided on; the dark shape of the Meteor as she took station abeam of the Broke, and we swirled away homeward to our anchorage off Dunkirk. We always hoped to meet the enemy, but that privilege was denied us, and I feel that privilege will for ever be denied us now that Peace terms specify a reduction of German armaments. We can hardly hope ever to meet them again. Little Forrester was awarded the D.S.C. for his services; I think he also got the Croix de Guerre, and I hope he will receive some other recognition; he certainly deserves the best that can be given.’ Commander Forrester was re-employed in 1940 and appointed to H.M.S. Skirmisher, Milford Haven parent ship. He afterwards served in the Plans Division and as Chief Staff Officer (Admin.) to Commodore (D). He was placed on the Retired List in 1946. Sold with copied record of service, London Gazette entries and other research.
Lot 869
German Second World War Army Wehrpasses. A 2nd pattern Wehrpass issued 16 January 1942 to Richard Duterolin, enlisted May 1942, serving with 6th Grenadier Battalion 99 List, 2 Days later was killed in Russia, also served in the Atlantic Coast in 1942; and a 2nd pattern Wehrpass, issued February 1940 to Paul Scholz, service started May 1940, he was killed in Russia on the day of the invasion 22 July 1941, no promotions but awarded the Infantry Combat Badge in bronze. Each pass has a fully written out description of the pass in English, good condition (2) £80-£100
Lot 887
A German Second World War Armed Forces Close Combat Bar in Bronze. An extremely nice condition JFS produced Armed Force Combat Bar in bronze. Some rubbing to the high spots, the majority of the finish toned to a grey but original bronze can be seen in the lower areas of the leaves, with its blued back plate. Marked ‘JFS’ on the reverse side with the original Berlin designer’s name, with its original pin, hook and hinge, very good condition £240-£280
Lot 92
Three: Able Seaman H. J. Beck, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when H.M.S. Acasta was sunk in the Norwegian Sea by the German Battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, during Operation Alphabet- the evacuation of Norway, 8 June 1940 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Admiralty enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. K. H. Rhodes, 17 York Road, Erdington, Birmingham 23’; together with the recipient’s Memorial Scroll (Able Seaman H. J. Beck Royal Navy), in envelope of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. K. H. Rhodes, 28 Cliveden Avenue, Perry Barr, Birmingham’; named Buckingham Palace enclosure, in envelope addressed to ‘Mrs. Kathleen Beck’; and a H.M.S. Cardiff 3rd Cruiser Squadron Prize Medal, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘Cruiser Arbuthnot Winners 1927 Ord: Beck’, nearly extremely fine (4) £300-£400 --- Harry John Beck was born in Aston, Birmingham, on 4 September 1908, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 8 January 1924. Advanced Ordinary Seaman on 4 September 1926, and Able Seaman on 4 March 1928, he served during the Second World War as an Able Seaman in the destroyer H.M.S. Acasta from 23 August 1939, and was killed in action during Operation Alphabet on 8 June 1940. On 31 May 1940 H.M.S. Glorious sailed from the Clyde to the Norwegian coast to carry out air operations in support of the evacuation of allied forces from Norway in Operation Alphabet. On 8 June she returned to Scapa Flow, escorted by the destroyers H.M.S. Ardent and Acasta. On the way through the Norwegian Sea the funnel smoke from Glorious and her two escorting destroyers was spotted by the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau at about 3:46 p.m. The German ships were not spotted until shortly after 4:00 and H.M.S. Ardent was dispatched to investigate. H.M.S. Ardent and H.M.S. Acasta laid a protective smokescreen to hide the British ships, and engaged the German ships with their 4.7 inch main armament, which proved to be ineffective. Despite coming under heavy fire from the much larger guns of the Germans, H.M.S. Ardent carried out a torpedo attack. She managed to score a single hit, but was struck repeatedly by enemy shells, and eventually capsized with the loss of 10 officers and 142 ratings. H.M.S. Acasta was finally sunk after roughly two hours of fighting; the battle flag of the Gneisenau was lowered to half-mast and her crew brought to attention to honour the brave fight of Acasta and her crew. Meanwhile, the Scharnhorst switched her fire to H.M.S. Glorious at 4:32 p.m. and scored her first hit six minutes later on her third salvo, at an approximate range of 24,000 metres (26,000 yd), when one 11.1 inch shell hit the forward flight deck and burst in the upper hangar, starting a large fire. This hit destroyed two Swordfish being prepared for flight and the hole in the flight deck prevented any other aircraft from taking off. Splinters penetrated a boiler casing and caused a temporary drop in steam pressure. At 4:58 p.m. a second shell hit the homing beacon above the bridge and killed or wounded the captain and most of the personnel stationed there. Glorious was hit again in the centre engine room around 5:20 p.m. and this caused her to lose speed and commence a slow circle to port. She also developed a list to starboard. The German ships closed to within 15,000 metres and continued to fire at her until about 5:40 p.m. Glorious finally sank at around 6:10 p.m. with the loss of 1,207 out of her crew of 1,250. The whole engagement lasted just short of three hours and cost the lives of 1,519 officers and ratings. From Acasta there was just one survivor. Beck was amongst those killed, aged 31. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. His medals were sent to his widow Kathleen Hilda Beck, who had subsequently remarried. Sold with the recipient’s Parchment Certificate of Service; a Vocational Training Certificate; various photographs, including one of the recipient on his wedding day, and a postcard photograph of him outside his shop; various newspaper cuttings; letter to the recipient’s widow from the British Red Cross Society; and a copy of the book ‘The Man who hit the Scharnhorst’, the Ordeal of Leading Seaman Nick Carter.
Lot 209
Railway collectables to include Irish railway tickets, Railtrack fabric badges, BR (W) Arts and Crafts Exhibition bronze medallion, framed Isle of Man railway tickets, American fabric patches, reproduction Great Northern Montana and Santa Fe railroad plates, Aluminium Polish railway plaque, brass repowered by Cummins rail plate, Birmingham Mint commemorative picture and a paperweight
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349674 item(s)/page