**ORIGINAL- RARE!! WWII S.A.A.F Medal & Wing Insignia Group for 2 Wing Heavy Bomber Squadron.**
This Lot is in a GOOD CONDITION - All Medals are named & numbered to the same recipient.
RECIPIENT NAME : R.J.L ALCOCK
RECIPIENT NUMBER : 210 374
MEDALS : THE 1939-1945 STAR & THE ITALY STAR
INSIGNIA :
SAAF 2 WING HEAVY BOMBER METAL WINGS & CHROME SAAF SHOULDER TITLE.
An excellent Second World War (1939-1945) Medal & Insignia Group for the South African Air Force 2 Wing Heavy Bomber Squadron is on offer. This formation was seconded to the Royal Air Force in 1944 - and commanded by the famous Lieutenant-Colonel James Thom "Jimmy" Durrant.
Attached is the Account of S.A.A.F 2 Wing's Achievements (A copy of which will be printed and supplied to the winning Bidder.)
"Durrant was the mastermind of the mining operations on the River Danube in 1944. At the time, Germany's oil resources were being transported from Ploesti in Romania along the riverto Vienna in trains of barges towed by tugs. All attempts to bomb Ploesti had met with heavy losses. Durrant devised a scheme to drop magnetic mines into the Danube on moonlit nights from exactly 30 feet (9,14 metres) above the water and embed them into the banks. This mission was undertaken by Consolidated B-29 Liberator aircraft of 2 Wing, including 31 and 34 Squadrons, SAAF. It was so successful that it cut off the flow of oil and, in retrospect, is seen as one of the most effective air operations ever conducted in southern Europe. Durrant also played a role in the relief flights that were flown by the Liberator squadrons of 2 Wing from Italy to Warsaw to supply the beleaguered Polish Home Army in September and October 1944 After receiving his orders, Durrant confronted Winston Churchill regarding the dangers inherent in such a low-level operation. Although the British statesman agreed with him, he nevertheless ordered the operation to go ahead, for 'propaganda value'. The Liberators flew 181 sorties to Warsaw with a loss of 31 aircraft."(sic) - The South African Military History Journal Vol 15 , No 1 - 2010.
A Superb and Historically valuable assortment of World War II Campaign Medals- awarded to a South African Air Force member , who participated in one of the Seminal Operations that brought Nazi Germany closer to defeat. An ideal addition to any private collection or display - for the enthusiast seeking that hidden gem !
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