Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War C.B.E., ‘1940’ D.F.C. group of ten awarded to Hampden pilot, Group Captain H. P. Broad, 44 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who gallantly led his formation during an attack on the Tirpitz, 8/9 October 1940. Just over a week later his operational flying was bought to an end after suffering serious injuries during a crash landing returning from a raid. Subsequent postings included on the Air Planning Staff, HQ Combined Operations and on the Staff, Air Planning Section of the RAF Delegation to Washington, during which he was involved in the planning of the air operations for the invasion of Europe. Broad advanced to Group Captain in January 1951, and was appointed Officer Commanding RAF Kuala Lumpur in May 1954.

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, red enamel damage, in Garrard & Co. case of issue, this water-damaged; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1941’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. Oak Leaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (Gp. Cpt. H. P. Broad. R.A.F.); Coronation 1953; United States of America, Legion of Merit, Officer’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with emblem on ribbon, minor white enamel damage, last with case of issue, breast awards mounted as originally worn, generally very fine (10)
£2,000-£2,400

C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1946.

D.F.C. London Gazette 17 January 1941, the recommendation states:

Squadron Leader Broad has always shown a high standard of leadership. His keenness and devotion to duty and courage in operations against the enemy has set a fine example to the other members of the Squadron.

On the evening of 8/9th October [1940], he led his formation successfully in an attack against enemy warships and docks at Wilhelmshaven, and pressed home his attack in the face of heavy A.A. fire.

Up to the time of a flying accident which occurred in conditions of very bad visibility he had completed 11 operational flights involving 60 hours flying.’

United States of America, Legion of Merit, London Gazette 27 November 1945:

‘For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services from 24 January 1944 to 9 May 1945, as Assistant in the Air Plans Section, Allied Expeditionary Air Force and later as Chief of the Future and Post Hostilities Section of A-3 Section, Air Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. His skill, co-operation and ardent attention to duty materially contributed in the smooth functioning of the air operations in the invasion of the Continent. His intelligence and understanding of the Post Hostilities problems and his ability to assist in planning to meet each difficulty greatly aided this Headquarters in the strenuous period. His zeal, and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the Allied Forces.’


Harold Peter Broad MA (Oxon) was born in October 1909, and joined the Royal Air Force as a Cadet at Cranwell in 1929. Broad was commissioned Pilot Officer in December 1930, and was posted as a pilot to 26 Squadron at Catterick. He was posted to 31 Squadron in India, 5 January 1932, before returning to the UK and attending an Instructor’s Course at the Central Flying School two years later.

Broad served as an Instructor at No. 3 F.T.S. before being posted to the Air Staff, HQ RAF Mediterranean in January 1936. He advanced to Flight Lieutenant in April 1936, and was posted as Instructor to No. 4 F.T.S. in January 1938. Broad advanced to Squadron Leader in June 1939, and was posted as a Flight Commander to 44 Squadron (Hampdens) at Waddington. The Squadron became operational in June 1940, and was employed as part of No. 5 Group.

By November 1940 Broad had flown 11 operational sorties with the Squadron, including the sortie for which he was awarded the D.F.C. - 8/9 October 1940. On the latter date 17 Hampdens attacked the German battleship Tirpitz in Wilhelmshaven dry dock. Broad was seriously injured when his aircraft struck an old hangar on landing on his return from a raid, 16 October 1940. He was taken off operational flying, attended RAF Staff College, and advanced to Temporary Wing Commander in June 1941.

Broad was posted to the Air Planning Staff, HQ Combined Operations in July 1942. He was on the Staff, Air Planning Section of the RAF Delegation to Washington, and was subsequently involved in the planning of the air operations for the invasion of Europe. Broad advanced to Group Captain in January 1951, and was appointed Officer Commanding RAF Kuala Lumpur in May 1954.

Broad advanced to Acting Air Commodore, and was posted as SASO, HQ No. 61 (Southern) Group in May 1957. He retired in September 1957, and had a novel called Death on the Beach published by Cassel in 1959. Air Commodore Broad died in February 1988.

The recipient’s Log Books and several photograph albums are held by the Imperial War Museum.

Sold with a carbon copy of the citation for the U.S.A. Legion of Merit.