A RARE & UNUSUAL "ME 109 KILL" & D-DAY,
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS & I.G.S.(Burma 1930-32) AIRCREW EUROPE GROUP OF SEVEN

To: 184716. P/O W.J. LEWIS. RAF(VR)
(Previously 6283192 Pte. W.J. LEWIS.THE BUFFS )

A HIGHLY UNUSUAL DFC & IGS COMBINATION GALLANTRY GROUP.
An excellent group to a man who had originally seen earlier boy service in the army with The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regt). Born in c, 1910 and having joined the army in about 1928, he was awarded the I.G.S.(Burma 1930-32) for this service. After completing his army service he was placed into the Army Reserve ( Army I.G.S. Medal Roll confirms ) He was a resident of Caterham on the Hill, Surrey.

At the outbreak of WW2, William Lewis , being about 30 years old was not immediately recalled for army service. In late 1942 he then volunteered, at about age 32, for RAF service and began aircrew training as an Air Gunner.
The enlistment of older men as aircrew was becoming a common event and situation by 1942/3 as the losses of operational crewmen were reaching major proportions.

Based on his obviously superior gunnery performance while with the RAF it can be safely assumed that he had been a well trained soldier in his younger days in the army. Indeed,he is seen in an air gunnery training role not long after joining No.10 squadron. He was only on his 6th operational sortie when from the rear turret of his Halifax he shot down and destroyed an ME109 near JUVISY, France on 7th June 1944, (The day after D-Day)

He was commissioned as Pilot Officer in August 1943 and after completing his pre-operational training he was posted to No.10 Squadron ( 4 Group ) at RAF MELBOURNE, Yorkshire.

THE GROUP COMES WITH A PHOTO COPY OF THE ORIGINAL DFC RECOMMENDATION, WHICH READS:

"Pilot Officer Lewis was posted to No.10 Squadron in May 1944 and after completing 38 sorties comprising 169 operational hours has been screened and posted. He has taken part in attacks on such heavily defended targets in Germany as STUTTGART, KEIL and BOTTROP, as well as other well defended targets in occupied territory.

This officer has consistently proved himself to be a very superior Air Gunner with a good sense of humour which had proved invaluable in times of stress over the target and in the face of heavy enemy opposition. He quickly acquired a reputation for his enthusiasm for operations and soon displayed great skill and courage, proving himself to be a most dependable member of an excellent operational crew. His vigilance and skilful handling of guns throughout his tour had played a good part in the safe return of his aircraft and crew.

On the ground he has been a most invaluable member of the gunnery section. His untiring work and his enthusiasm for instructing the new members of the squadron, have been worthy of the highest praise bad have been largely responsible for the high standard of efficiency of Air Gunners. He was the Gunner of a Halifax aircraft detailed to attack JUVISY on 7th June 1944. Shortly after leaving the target, which was successfully attacked, he sighted an ME109. He coolly and accurately passed evading directions to his pilot which we followed and as the enemy aircraft closed in, Pilot Officer Lewis got in a burst of fire. The enemy fighter burst into flames, was seen to crash to the ground and claimed as destroyed.

His vigilance gad coolness on this occasion was typical of that which he has shown throughout his tour. I consider Pilot Officer Lewis a fist class Air Gunner and strongly recommend that his fine offensive spirit,coolness and accurate handling of his guns in action and strong devotion to duty be now recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross "

COMES COMPLETE WITH OPS BOOK COPIES OF MANY OF HIS SORTIES INCLUDING THAT FOR D-DAY and the 7th JUNE 1944 when he shot down the ME109.















A REALLY SUPER & CLASSIC D-DAY BOMBER GROUP.

(SOLD)
with part exchanges very welcome.