Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second World War Naval Expeditionary Force ‘operation Royal Marine’ D.S.M. group of five awarded to Able Seaman H. G. Howes, Royal Navy, Coxswain of small boats carrying out special mine-laying operations in the river Rhine, part of a plan conceived by Winston Churchill which launched more than 2,300 specially developed ‘fluvial’ mines into the rivers Rhine, Moselle and Meuse during the battle of France, May to June 1940; as Churchill later remarked “the success of the device was, however, lost in the deluge of disaster”

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (J.85657 H. G. Howes. A.B. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals, the first with a couple of minor edge bruises, otherwise very fine (5) £1800-2200

D.S.M. London Gazette 5 July 1940: ‘For courage and devotion to duty when carrying out special mine-laying operations.’

The original recommendation states: ‘For good services in the Naval Expeditionary Force in Operation R.M... Able Seaman Howes. When action as coxswain of small boats carrying mines down the affluents of the Rhine this rating has shown remarkable daring in proceeding into the channel of the Rhine in order to ensure that his cargo reached the main stream. The fact that the laying party remained undetected is due to his skilful handling of the operations.’

One of nine D.S.M’s. awarded for Operation ‘Royal Marine’.

Extract from Report by Commanding Officer, Naval Expeditionary Force, 27 May 1940: ‘These disadvantages have forced me to make frequent use of laying positions on the banks of the Rhine. These positions involve the exposure of the laying sections to great danger night after night, as every position is commanded by at least three German casemates at short range. The fact that no casualties have been incurred shows the high standard of drill achieved by the personnel concerned.’

Sold with copied extracts from the operation report and other research.