Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to coincide with the OMRS Convention

Three: Flight Lieutenant B. J. Lovett, No. 158 Squadron, Royal Air Force, killed in action on the first ‘Thousand Bomber’ raid in May 1942

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal, together with named Air Council condolence slip (Bernard James Lovett (Flt./Lieut)) this a little faded, otherwise good very fine (3) £150-200

Flight Lieutenant Bernard James Lovett, Air Gunner, No. 158 Squadron, was killed in action on the night of 30/31st May 1942, during the first ‘Thousand Bomber’ raid. He is buried at Flushing (Vlissingen) Northern Cemetery, Zeeland, Holland.

Wellington Z-8577, piloted by Squadron Leader J. Harkness, was the first plane to be shot down on the raid. Because of heavy icing encountered by all the Driffield aircraft, Harkness had been unable to climb his aircraft above 10,000 feet but had refused to turn back. Thus it was that as his plane crossed the Dutch coast south of Rotterdam, it was picked out by searchlights and was easily seen by two patrolling German fighters as it was crossing the Easter Scheldt and approaching the island of North Bevaland. The fighters pounced, and against them the Wellington, still struggling for height, had no chance. An eye witness on the Island saw the fighters attack, saw the Wellington plunge downwards then watched it disappear in the Eastern Scheldt at the point where it joins the North Sea. The crew, excluding Harkness, were washed ashore on North Bevaland in the ensuing few days. Hopes were held out by the Dutch that the pilot might have escaped, but the body of Harkness was finally recovered on the last day of 1942.