Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An original Royal Air Force Navigator’s, Air Bomber’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book appertaining to Warrant Officer C. F. Pretlove, Royal Air Force, a Flight Engineer on Lancasters with 103 and 156 Squadrons, who was awarded the D.F.M. after completing 50 operational sorties to heavily defended German targets, the majority as part of the Pathfinder Force, covering the period September 1943 to September 1946, cover and spine a little worn, generally good condition £160-£200

D.F.M. London Gazette 20 February 1945.
The original recommendation states: ‘Flight Sergeant Pretlove has now completed 50 operational sorties, 38 of which have been with the Pathfinder Force. The majority of these sorties have been on heavily defended German targets including 9 attacks on Berlin. This N.C.O. is a keen and efficient engineer in one of the squadron’s best blind marker crews and by his initiative and resourcefulness he has given valuable assistance to his Captain on many hazardous operations. His determination and devotion to duty and his operational zest have made him an asset to his crew. His loyalty and devotion to duty have been of a high order and I recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal. 17 November 1944’

Cyril Frederick Pretlove was born in 1923 at Brighton, East Sussex. Having joined the Royal Air Force, he qualified as a Flight Engineer on 23 September 1943 and six days later logged his first Lancaster flight piloted by Flying Officer R. F. Griffin. With very few exceptions, Griffin would go on to pilot all of Pretlove’s sorties and earned the D.S.O. and D.F.C. in doing so.
Pretlove’s first operational sortie was a trip to Berlin on 22 November 1943. It was the first of his nine sorties to the ‘Big City’ completed over the next two months. One such trip, piloted by Griffin in December 1943 proved particularly hazardous. The wireless failed, followed by the failure of a generator that powered the Lancaster’s mid-upper gun turret rendering it unserviceable. Before reaching the target, the rear turret also became unserviceable. With no power to the turrets and unable to receive instructions from the Master Bomber, Griffin pressed on and carried out a successful attack. Shortly after leaving the target more equipment failed but the plane’s crew successfully brought the plane home. Griffin was awarded an immediate D.F.C.

In March 1944 Pretlove transferred with Griffin and the rest of his crew to 156 Squadron, which was part of the Pathfinder Force and, continuing in his capacity as Flight Engineer, went on to complete a large number of raids: Pretlove’s logbook contains entries for 56 night operations: 51 to Germany and 5 to France. He also completed 9 day operations: 4 to Germany, 4 to France and 1 to Holland. and 56 night operations. Over 30 different destinations were attacked.

Pretlove’s final flight with Griffin (now Wing Commander) was to Hamburg on 8 March 1945. He flew on three further sorties in April 1945, and the final entry in his logbook is ‘local flying’ from Mildenhall in a Lancaster on 25 September 1946.

Sold together with the Royal Air Force Record Office forwarding letter accompanying Pretlove’s D.F.M.; the named Buckingham Palace enclosure accompanying Pretlove’s D.F.M.; Certificate for Pretlove’s Path Finder Force badge, dated 25 May 1945; Two formal group photographs of 156 Squadron, P.F.F., one dated October 1944; another group photograph of R.A.F. N.C.O.s and men; 33 photographs taken on raids piloted by F/L Griffin, each with target identified - varying degrees of clarity; a group photograph of R.A.F. officers - poor quality; a pennant flag; 12 rivets from a batch used to make up the centre unit of a Lancaster; fact sheet with important dates and facts relating to 156 Squadron; and other ephemera relating to 156 Squadron.