Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War Flying Fortress air gunner’s campaign group of three awarded to Flight Sergeant G. A. Mercer, Royal Air Force, who flew operationally with 214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron, including a radio countermeasure operation over Misburg, Germany, 15/16 March 1945, during which his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter, forcing the crew to bale out and earning Mercer his Caterpillar Club Badge

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, with Caterpillar Club badge, in gilt metal with enamel eyes, reverse engraved ‘F/S/ G. A. Mercer.’, generally very fine or better (lot) £400-£500

G. A. Mercer served as a Flight Sergeant with 214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron (Flying Fortresses) during 1945. The Squadron was employed as part of No. 100 (Bomber) Support Group, and primarily flew radio countermeasure operations, detecting and jamming enemy radio and radar equipment. Mercer flew in Fortress III HB803 BU-L, piloted by Flying Officer P. J. Anderson, 15/16 March 1945, ‘T/O 1745 Oulton for Jostle operations in the Misburg region. Severely damaged in a Schräge Musik attack from a Ju.88 (5030N 0740E) which started fires in the fuselage and port wing. The rear gunner managed to drive off the enemy fighter and course was set for the Allied lines. On crossing the battle lines, American AA guns opened up, believing they were firing at a Me262 jet propelled fighter! Abandoned and came down 6km south of Kruft, a town west of the Rhine and some 20km west-north-west from Koblenz.’ (Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War by W. R. Chorley refers)

Two of the crew of ten were killed, and are buried in the Choloy War Cemetery, France.

Sold with Caterpillar Club Membership Card; Air Gunner’s Brevet and other cloth insignia.