A particularly fine and unusual Second War ‘1942’ D.S.O., ‘immediate’ 1942 D.F.C. group of seven awarded to Whitley, Halifax and Wellington pilot Squadron Leader A. S. R. E. Ennis, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in at least 85 operational sorties with his Log Book annotated to suggest that he flew in over 100 operational sorties.

Amongst his extensive number of sorties over occupied Europe and the jungles of Burma, his aircraft was hit on countless occasions and he proved himself a pilot of exceptional ability. Ennis took part in the first raid on Berlin, 25 August 1940; and was part of Operation Colossus, 10 February 1941, the first British airborne operation of the Second World War. He also flew in the First Thousand Bomber Raid on Cologne, 30/31 May 1942, after which he crawled home flying at 150 feet having suffered severe flak damage - including the loss of an engine.

Having flown with 10, 78 and 158 Squadrons - Ennis volunteered for service overseas with 99 (Madras Presidency) Squadron in India. He almost completed a third tour of operations with them, before being killed in action whilst flying a sortie during the Battle of Imphal, 17 June 1944, for which he was posthumously mentioned in despatches

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated ‘1942’, with integral top riband bar, in Garrard & Co. Ltd case of issue; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1942’, in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Act. Sqn. Ldr. A. S. R. E. Ennis. R.A.F.V.R.) campaign awards mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (7) £3,000-£4,000

D.S.O. London Gazette 6 November 1942.

The original recommendation states: ‘Since August, 1940, Squadron Leader Ennis has carried out a total of 51 operational sorties against the enemy. There are very few targets in Germany which have not suffered as a result of this officer’s remarkable spirit of determination to achieve his objective. On four occasions he has bombed Berlin, Essen and Hamburg. In February, 1941, he was employed on a special mission to Malta, which he accomplished with complete success. In May this year he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a particularly courageous and daring low-level attack on Warnemunde. Throughout this fine record of action against the enemy can be found a story of outstanding bravery and devotion to duty second to none. The example he set is an inspiration to all ranks in his Squadron. It is recommended that this officer’s splendid record be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Service Order.

Remarks by Station Commander: This officer has now completed two operational tours. There is no doubt that he was instrumental in maintaining the morale of his Squadron when losses were high by the magnificent personal example of courage and devotion to duty which he always set. Had he been allowed to he would have operated every time his Squadron operated. His long operational record is well worthy of recognition by the award of the Distinguished Service Order.

Remarks by Air Officer Commanding: This Officer has now completed his second tour against enemy objectives and has shown to a marked degree courage, skill and a strong fighting spirit. Strongly recommend for the award of a Distinguished Service Order.’

D.F.C. London Gazette 29 May 1942 (jointly listed with Pilot Officer A. H. Hanson):
‘One night in May, 1942, Flight Lieutenant Ennis and Pilot Officer Hanson, as pilot and rear gunner respectively of an aircraft, were detailed to carry out a low level attack on Warnemunde. The target was heavily defended both with searchlights and anti-aircraft fire which made a low level attack very hazardous. Flight Lieutenant Ennis, displaying great courage, flew the aircraft at a very low level, but found that he could not penetrate the heavy defences. In all, three attempts were made, before the target was reached and attacked successfully. Throughout this time Pilot Officer Hanson continued firing at the searchlights and other defences and destroyed at least 2 searchlights. The skill and courage displayed by him contributed largely to the safe return of the aircraft.’

The original recommendation states: ‘On the night of 8th/9th May, 1942, F/Lt. Ennis was captain of a Wellington II aircraft detailed to carry out a low level attack on Warnemunde. Searchlight and Flak activity was extremely intense when the target was reached so that it was obvious that a low level attack would be very hazardous indeed. In spite of this and showing great courage and daring, F/Lt. Ennis took his aircraft into the target area at a very low level. He found, however, that he could not penetrate the heavy defences, being coned in the searchlights. The second attempt was also unavailing but on the third attack the aircraft reached the target and dropped its bomb load successfully. F/Lt. Ennis showed great tactical skill in carrying out this attack and no praise is too high for his courage and devotion to duty. It is recommended that this outstanding action, which is the peak of a very fine operational record, be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Remarks by Station Commander: I support the above recommendation very strongly. There is no doubt that F/Lt. Ennis showed the highest courage, skill and determination in this attack. The fact that only three out of the seven aircraft of 158 Squadron detailed for low level attack returned proves that the opposition was very heavy.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 24 September 1941 and 1 January 1945.

Anthony Stewart Reginald Edmund Ennis was born in Canterbury in 1917, and was the son of Wing Commander W. E. Ennis. He resided in Edgware, London and was educated at the Salvatorian College, Harrow and Wimbledon College. Ennis enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1937, and carried out his initial training as a pilot at No. 5. E. & R. F.T.S., Hanworth. Having advanced to Sergeant, he was posted to A.T.S. Sealand in March 1940, and to No. 19 O.T.U. to convert to Whitleys in June of the same year.

Ennis was posted for operational flying with 78 Squadron (Whitleys) at Dishforth in August 1940. He flew in at least 33 operational sorties August 1940 - April 1941, including: Leipzig; Berlin (4) including the first raid on Berlin, 25 August 1940; Milan; Antwerp; Ostende, 18 September 1940 ‘Docks at Ostende. Target Bombed. Heavy A/A Fire. Hit 5 Times’ (Log Book refers); Boulogne; Dusseldorf (2); Politz; Magdesburg, 25 October 1940 ‘Bombed Schipoll. Heavy A/A Fire. 17 Hits. Target Hit’ (Ibid); Harburg; Hague, 29 October 1940 ‘Docks Hits Obtained on Both Sides. Attacked By Fighter For 1 Hour. Crashed On Landing’ (Ibid); Bordeaux; Wilhelmshaven (2), including 15 January 1941 ‘Blitz On Wilhelmshaven. Bombed From 8,000ft. 4 250lbs, 2,500lbs 120 Incends. Large Fires Developed. Machine Gunned Aerodrome From 4,000ft. Put A Searchlight Out Of Action.. A/A Fire 2 Hits’ (Ibid); Stettin and Gelsenkirchen.

Operation Colossus - 6 Whitleys Over Italy - The First British Airborne Operation of the Second World War
Ennis was the pilot of one of 6 Whitleys detached to take part in Operation Colossus - the first airborne operation undertaken by the British during the Second World War. The target was the aqueduct at Calitri, Southern Italy, and 38 members of ‘X’ Troop were to be parachuted in to attack the target, 10 February 1941.

On 7 February ‘X’ Troop boarded the six converted Whitley bombers and were transported 1,600 miles to Malta without incident, despite a significant portion of the journey being over occupied France. Ennis’s Log Book records ‘Mildenhall - Marseilles - Tunis - Luqa (Malta). 6 Army Pass. Weather Good. No Incidents.’

Upon arrival at Malta the troop were briefed with aerial reconnaissance photographs of the objective that were provided by the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, which showed that there were actually two aqueducts in the area, one larger than the other; after a brief discussion it was decided that the larger of the two would be targeted. At 18:30 on 10 February, the six Whitleys took off from Malta, each carrying one officer and five other ranks of ‘X’ Troop; the flight to the target area was uneventful, with clear weather and perfect visibility. The lead Whitley reached the drop zone, which was approximately 500 metres from the aqueduct, at 21:42. All six men and their equipment containers landed within 250 metres of the drop zone, as did the men from the next four aircraft; however two of the bombers failed to drop their containers due to the icing up of the release mechanisms, and the sixth aircraft failed to locate the drop zone and eventually dropped its six men and containers two hours later in a valley two miles from the aqueduct. These six men were the Royal Engineer sappers who were supposed to rig the aqueduct for demolition, and their Whitley had been carrying most of the explosives.

Ennis successfully carried out his run, as one of two aircraft additionally employed to fly a diversionary raid on Foggia, with his Log Book recording, 10 February 1941 ‘Raid. Foggia. Diversion For Parachute Troops. Bombs Dropped Singly. Hit Petrol Train Large Fires. 6 Direct Hits On Station. 4,000 Rounds Fired On Pass. Trains In Station And Around Fire. All Bombs Dropped From 1,000ft.’

Damage was done to the aqueduct, however at the cost of the entire troop being taken prisoner of war. Ennis returned to his operational tour with 78 Squadron, with trips to Dusseldorf, 25 February 1941 ‘2 Sticks 10,000ft. 1 Photo Taken. Fires Started. 24 Hits By A/A Fire. No Hydraulics Or Wireless. Landed Church Fenton’; Cologne; Hamburg; Gelsenkirchen; Kiel (2), including 8 April 1941 ‘Bombs Dropped From 9,000ft & 10,000ft. Fires All Over The Town. Heavy A/A Fire 18 Hits On Aircraft. Weather Perfect’ (Ibid); Brest and Bremen.

After completing his first tour of operations, Ennis was posted as an instructor to No. 2 B.A.T., Driffield in April 1941. He subsequently served with No.1502 B.A.T. Flight prior to returning to operational flying with 158 Squadron (Wellingtons) at Driffield in February 1942. He flew in at least 11 operational sorties with the squadron between February - May 1942, including: Ostende; Essen (3), including 26 March 1942, when both his rear turret and port wing were hit by flak; Hamburg; Rostock (2) including being attack by a night fighter; Keil; Stuttgart (2) and Warnemunde, 8 May 1942 (See D.F.C. Recommendation above).

Ennis was posted to 10 Squadron (Halifaxes) at Leeming in May 1942. He flew in at least 5 operational sorties with the squadron, including: Gnome and Rhone Factory; Cologne, 30/31 May 1942, the first Thousand Bomber Raid ‘9 x 1000, 12 x Containers. Bombed From 4,000ft. Hit By Flak. P. Engine Hit & Stopped. Came Home 150 feet. R.G. Badly Wounded. Weather Good. Landed Manston’ (Log Book refers); Bremen and Essen (2).

Ennis returned to 158 Squadron - now equipped with Halifaxes and operating from Eastmoor - in June 1942. He flew in at least another 7 operational sorties with the squadron, including: Bremen; Wilhelmshaven; Vegesack; Hamburg; Dusseldorf; Duisburg and Mainz. Ennis was posted to No. 26 O.T.U. in October 1942, and received an A.O.C. Commendation for his skill in ‘effecting a successful forced landing [in an Anson] with one engine, and without damage to his aircraft, in very difficult circumstances’, 11 January 1943.

99 (Madras Presidency) Squadron - Taking On The Japanese
Ennis volunteered for service overseas, and having advanced to Acting Squadron Leader travelled to India. Ennis was appointed to command ‘A’ Flight, 99 (Madras Presidency) Squadron (Wellingtons) at Jessore in June 1943. The Squadron was tasked with combating the Japanese in Burma, attacking enemy airfields, supply dumps, and railway communications. Ennis flew in at least 28 operational sorties with the squadron from July 1943 - May 1944. The latter included 4 ‘Combined Operations - Army Close Support’ with Spitfire Escorts in the Maungdaw Area, 10-13 February 1944. The Squadron was also heavily engaged during the Battle of Imphal, March - July 1944, and Ennis led formations of aircraft varying from 15 to 21 in strength in May 1944.

During the Siege of Imphal 99 Squadron also undertook an emergency transport task - with its Wellingtons ferrying 250lb bombs to the Hurribomber squadrons operating against the Tiddim-Imphal road from airfields on the Imphal Plain. Squadron Leader Ennis was killed in action whilst ferrying these bombs in Wellington J.A. 467, 17 June 1944, and he is buried along with the rest of his crew in the Imphal War Cemetery, India.

Sold with the following related documents: Bestowal Document for D.S.O., dated 6 November 1942; 2 M.I.D. Certificates, dated 24 September 1941 and 1 January 1945 respectively; 3 Royal Air Force Pilot’s Flying Log Books (covering the period 9 October 1937 - 11 May 1944) all stamped ‘Death Presumed’ and ‘Central Depository 12 Oct 1949 Royal Air Force’; Air Ministry Letter addressed to recipient’s father informing him of his son’s death, dated 8 July 1945; Air Ministry Transmittal letter for recipient’s Air Efficiency Award, addressed to his father and dated 17 October 1949; Portrait photograph of recipient in uniform and a number of old photocopies taken from family scrapbook.