Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Pilot Officer (Air Gunner) A. E. Gale, 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action when his Halifax was shot down by a night fighter and crashed over Duisburg, whilst on a bombing raid to Essen, on 25-26 July 1943

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Air Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘G. H. Gale Esq., 10, Park Way, Southwick, Sussex’, extremely fine (3) £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Royal Air Force Casualties.

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Alex Edward Gale was commissioned Pilot Officer on 20 March 1943, and served during the Second World War as an Air Gunner with 78 Squadron. He flew his first operational sortie as 2nd Pilot in a raid on Aachen on 13-14 July 1943, and then as the Rear Gunner on the raid on Hamburg, Operation Gomorrah, on 24-25 July.

Gale was killed in action when Halifax JD330, piloted by Pilot Officer E. R. Carrington, was shot down by a night-fighter whilst on a bombing raid to Essen, on 25-26 July 1943, and crashed over Dusiburg. Four of the crew were killed, with three of the crew, including the pilot, surviving and being taken Prisoner of War. By amazing coincidence the Luftwaffe Officer in whose charge the survivors had been put recognised the pilot, Pilot Officer Carrington, as they had been at school together.

Gale is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. His medals were sent to his father, George Henry Gale.

Sold with copied research.