Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1945 ‘Path Finder Force’ D.F.M. group of four awarded to Sterling and Lancaster wireless operator, Pilot Officer N. W. Hill, 149 (East India) and 7 Squadrons, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 60 operational sorties, 39 of which were as part of Path Finder Force, and 24 as part of a marker crew

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1576849 F/Sgt. N. W. Hill. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, generally good very fine (4) £2000-2400

D.F.M. London Gazette 23 March 1945, the Recommendation states:

‘This N.C.O. has almost completed a double tour of operations and to date has carried out 56 sorties including 35 with this squadron. He has acted as Wireless Operator in a marker crew on 24 occasions. Flight Sergeant Hill, in spite of set-backs through ill health has always shown fearlessness and determination of a high order. His technical skill and devotion to duty have been an example to the squadron.’

Norman William Hill joined the Royal Air Force in November 1942. He carried out initial training as a wireless operator at No. 2 Radio School, before carrying out subsequent training at No. 7 A.G.S., Stormy Down, and No. 26 O.T.U., Little Horwood. Hill served at 1665 C. U. in November 1943, and was posted for operational flying to 149 (East India) Squadron (Stirlings), at Lakenheath later the same month. He flew in at least 21 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Mining operations (7); Special operations - supplying the French Maquis with arms and ammunition by parachute (7); Amiens Marshalling Yards (2); Laon Marshalling Yards; and Courtrai Marshalling Yards.

Hill was posted as a Flight Sergeant to Path Finder Force N.T.U. Warboys in April 1944, before returning to operational flying with 7 Squadron (Lancasters), Oakington the following month. The Squadron were employed as part of Path Finder Force. Hill flew in at least 39 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Mantes-Gassicourt; Courtrai; Louvain; Duisburg; Dortmund; Aachen; Heavy Gun Battery Calais, 3 June 1944; Coastal Battery Longues, 5 June 1944; Fougeres Marshalling Yards, 8 June 1944; Rennes Airfield, 9 June 1944; Oisemont (2); Wizernes; Caen; Vaires Marshalling Yards; Chalons-sur-Marne; Aulnoye Marshalling Yard; Kiel (3); Stuttgart (4); La Pallice; Falaise; Brest; Stettin; Frankfurt; Saarbrücken; Hannover; Essen (2); Koblenz (2); Karlsruhe; Soest; Leuna Oil Refinery; Cologne; and Magdeburg.

Hill was commissioned Pilot Officer in 1945, and was posted to undertake a Staff Wireless Operator (Air) Instructors Course at Jurby, Isle of Man, in April 1945. Having qualified, he continued to serve as an instructor until July 1946.

Sold with the following related original items and documents: Path Finder Force Badge, with named certificate, dated 8 April 1945; named card box of issue for D.F.M.; Royal Air Force Navigator’s, Air Bomber’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (4 April 1943 - 15 July 1946); and a group photograph of recipient’s crew, annotated ‘Hitler’s Dilemma, our bomber crew, England 1943’.