Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second War ‘1944’ D.F.C., ‘1940’ D.F.M. group of six awarded to Wellington and Lancaster navigator, Flight Lieutenant A. H. Bird, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in at least 50 operational sorties, mostly with 149 (East India) and 101 Squadrons, and including the first Thousand Bomber Raids to Cologne and Essen whilst attached to No. 15 O.T.U.

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1944’; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R.; (520519. A/Sgt. A. H. Bird. R.A.F.) 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear, generally very fine (6) £3,600-£4,000

D.F.C. London Gazette 14 November 1944.
The original Recommendation states: ‘Flight Lieutenant Bird has won the admiration of his Squadron by his resolute determination and cheerful courage throughout his second operational tour of duty. Undismayed by the strongest enemy opposition, he has, at all times, continued to display outstanding navigational skill and ability. He has also rendered valuable assistance to younger and less experienced navigators.’

D.F.M. London Gazette 22 October 1940.
The original Recommendation states: ‘Sergeant Bird’s work as an Observer in this squadron has been exemplary and deserves special recognition. He has been employed continuously on night operations since April 1940 and has now completed 26 operational flights. In every one of these operations, his navigation and bomb aiming have been excellent. Many of the recent operations in which he has participated were made in unfavourable weather conditions, often necessitating flying in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. Under such conditions, Sergeant Bird’s conduct and bearing have been excellent. In spite of very heavy anti-aircraft fire, he has on many occasions accurately directed his pilot onto the target and has often asked the pilot to make a second and even a third bombing run in order to make a more accurate sight on the target. By such devotion to duty in the face of severe opposition and by the industry that he always displays in his navigational and bombing duties, Sergeant Bird has been largely responsible for making his crew the most efficient in ‘A’ Flight.

Remarks by Station Commander: An exceptionally capable Air Observer. On the night of 1st/2nd August 1940, in extremely poor weather conditions, he navigated his aircraft to the target, the oil plant at Kamen. He did excellent work in locating the target. Bombs were dropped very accurately and large fires started which acted as a beacon for following aircraft. Very strongly recommended.’

Alfred Herbert Bird enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer reserve in 1939, and carried out his initial training at Air Navigation School, Cheltenham from May 1939. After further postings, including 11 F.T.S. Shawbury, Bird spent November 1939 - February 1940, briefly at 148, 75, 215 and 214 Squadrons.

Bird was posted for operational flying as a Navigator to 149 (East India) Squadron (Wellingtons) at Mildenhall in April 1940. A night-bomber unit, Bird was crewed with Flying Officer R. A. Cruickshank (later D.F.C. and Bar, and killed in action) as his pilot, and flew in at least 28 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Stavanger; Aachen; Namur; Dinant, 25 May 1940 ‘Road Bridge Destroyed. Convoy Hit’ (Log Book refers); Dunkirk, Heavy Gun Positions, 2 June 1940; Dusseldorf; Abbeville; Soissons; Les Andeleys; Milan, 16 June 1940, ‘Caproni Aircraft Works Hit. Thunderstorm Over Target’ (Ibid); Hann Marshalling Yards; Bremen; Delenhorst; Duisberg; Bremen; Dortmund, 25 July 1940, ‘Flak Splinters Through Bombing Panel’ (Ibid); Kamen Synthetic Oil Plant, 1/2 August 1940, ‘Target Destroyed’ (Ibid); Homberg; Soest; Frankfurt, Deschaffen Aerodrome; Mannheim; Kiel; and Baden-Baden.

Having completed his first tour of operations, Bird was posted as an instructor to No. 15 O.T.U. at Harwell in September 1940. Whilst stationed with the latter, Bird took part in the Thousand Bomber Raid to Cologne, 30 May 1942, and the 2nd such raid to Essen, 1 June 1942. He was posted to 1667 Conversion Unit in December 1943, and briefly to 550 Squadron, prior to returning to operational flying with 101 Squadron (Lancasters) at Ludford Magna in January 1944.

Bird was primarily crewed with Squadron Leader C. B. Morton (’C’ Flight Commander) as his pilot, but also flew on a number of operations with the Squadron C/O Wing Commander R. I. Alexander as his pilot. Bird flew in at least 20 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Berlin (6), including 30 January 1944, ‘3 Combats On Bombing Run, 2 Ju. 88’s. 1 Me. 110. Strikes On All 3 Aircraft’ (Log Book refers); Stuttgart; Frankfurt (2); Nuremburg; Aachen; Freidrichshaven; Maintenon (Group Captain King being his pilot for this raid); Rennes; Orleans; Duisberg; Dortmund; Bourg-Leopold; Les Hayons and Dom Leger.

After completing his 2nd tour of operations, Bird was posted to 21 O.T.U. at Moreton-in-Marsh in July 1944. He advanced to Flight Lieutenant, served in the Training Branch, and relinquished his commission in June 1966.

Sold with recipient’s Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (31 May 1939 - 2 August 1945); MOD Letter addressed to recipient on the occasion of relinquishing his commission, dated 20 May 1966; named Buckingham Palace enclosure for D.F.C., enclosure slip for campaign award and three group photographs.