Bosleys Military Auctioneers
Lot 405
WW2 RAF Pilot's Immediate Distinguished Flying Medal Awarded to Sergeant James Eric Williams who's gallantry over Bremen resulted in the award of the DFM, he would later loose his life on a training flight. Comprising: Distinguished Flying Medal "1255892 SGT J.E. WILLIAMS RAF". Retaining original ribbon and pin fitting ... Accompanied by a small quantity of original ephemera including Buckingham Palace Letter ... Letter giving details of his death at RAF Kinloss in October 1942. The citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal appeared in the London Gazette on the 24th July 1942. An Immediate Award"Sergeant Williams was the Captain of Wellington aircraft X.3351 which was detailed to attack Bremen on the night of the 2nd/3rd July 1942. After he had bombed his objective and whilst still in the target area, the aircraft was struck by what appeared to be flak but which subsequently has been found to be incendiary bombs from another aircraft and the port engine, hydraulics and flaps were put out of action. The remains of one incendiary bomb were found in the carburettor of the port engine on return. Height was lost from 10,000 feet to 4,000 feet before Sergeant Williams was able to regain control and the chances of reaching this country with the damage occasioned by the incendiary bomb seemed extremely remote. Despite all efforts. height was slowly but steadily lost and Sergeant Williams gave orders to his crew to prepare to abandon the aircraft. Shortly afterwards the aircraft was subjected to intense flak and avoiding action had to be taken, causing the aircraft to loose height to 1,000 feet. Sergeant Williams then informed the crew that he intended to try and get back to this country. Shortly before leaving the enemy coast, he had to open up fully his one good engine in order to maintain height and get as near to the English coast as possible in case of a forced alighting at sea, giving strict instructions that no SOS was to be sent owing to possible interception by hostile fighters. By superb skill in the handling of his aircraft and the one engine, he succeeded in making the crossing of the North Sea and regained his base, reaching the latter at only 100 feet. Here he calmly carried out the correct R/T procedure, requesting permission to land, which fact had a material bearing on the safe landing of other aircraft which were circling at the time. By use of emergency gear, he had managed to lock the undercarriage and then carried out a perfect single-engined landing without flaps on his own aerodrome. By his grim determination in the face of what appeared impossible odds, this NCO effected the safe return of his crew and aircraft to this country. This act is, however, but the culmination of an operational tour of outstanding success achieved by Sergeant Williams in all his 34 sorties. This NCO has been a shinning example to his fellow Captains in the Squadron, both by courage and intense devotion to duty."Sergeant Williams was screened from operations and on the 29th October 1942 he was Captain of a Whitley Bomber of 19 OTU based at RAF Kinloss. He had been briefed for a night training flight and all appears to have gone well, his aircraft had radioed it was preparing to land, whoever the Whitley was flying through an electrical storm and whilst on approach appears to have been struck and caught fire, both Sgt Williams and his Co-pilot Flying Officer Charteris of the RNZAF stayed at the controls to allow two other crewman to bail out.
