Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria including the collection to Naval Artificers formed by JH Deacon

A Second World War Path Finder’s D.F.M. group of five awarded to Flight Lieutenant C. Hogg, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, the survivor of an operational tour of 32 sorties, including the Hamburg ‘firestorm’ raids and the Peenemunde raid

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1341935 Sgt. C. Hogg, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals, in named card box of issue with forwarding slip, extremely fine (5) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Awards to the Men of Bomber Command 1939-45.

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D.F.M. London Gazette 15 February 1944. The recommendation states:

‘This Air Bomber has participated in numerous operational sorties against some of the enemy’s most heavily defended targets. His reliability and accuracy is worthy of the highest praise and his keenness and enthusiasm sets a fine example to the rest of the Squadron. In recognition of his outstanding record of service, this N.C.O. is recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.’

Flight Lieutenant Charles Hogg, D.F.M., who was from Lothian, commenced training as a Bomb Aimer in July 1942, gaining nearly 80% in his AB Initio Bombing Course at R.A.F. Picton. Subsequently posted to No. 35 Squadron, a Path Finder unit then operating with Halifaxes, in April 1943, he flew his first mission, against Essen, on the 30th of that month. Other German targets hit over the next eight weeks included Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf (twice) and Krefeld.

On the night of 15-16 July, Hogg’s aircraft was detailed to attack the Peugot factory at Montbeliard, a raid that typified the difficulties confronted by the Path Finder Force in trying to mark smaller targets. No. 35’s markers were just 700 yards off centre, but the final result in terms of French civilian casualties was devastating. A few nights later, on the 24th, Hogg and his crew flew the first of three successive sorties against Hamburg, raids that culminated in terrible ‘firestorms’ and some 40,000 casualties. Then on the night of 17-18 August, they participated in the famous attack on the rocket research establishment at Peenemunde. According to one newspaper feature included with the Lot, Hogg received a ‘special certificate for accurate bombing and photography after the raid on Peenemunde’.

The remainder of Hogg’s operational tour, which finally ended in February 1944, included no less than three trips to Berlin, and another three to Mannheim. Awarded the D.F.M., and commissioned, he was employed on instructional duties until the end of the War.

Sold with the recipient’s original Flying Log Book, covering the period July 1942 to July 1945; Buckingham Palace investiture letter for the D.F.M., and related admittance tickets; his Path Finder Force’s Badge, with related forwarding letter from Air-Vice Marshal Don Bennett; a good selection of wartime photographs, including Officer Cadet graduation group, signed by many of those present; several related newspaper cuttings, including a feature regarding the dedication of a stained-glass window to the recipient’s memory at Tranent Parish Church in 1985; and his I.D. disc and Flight Lieutenant’s shoulder insignia.