Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second World War D.F.C., American Silver Star group of six awarded to Squadron Leader G. Wood, Royal Air Force, who completed over 60 operational sorties, initially in No. 103 Squadron but latterly as Visual Bombing Leader in No. 35 (Path Finder Force) Squadron: his American decoration stemmed from a special mission in April 1945, when he brought his Lancaster down to an altitude of 150 feet despite the danger of flak

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1943; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals; U.S.A., Silver Star, this last with case of issue, together with companion set of miniature dress medals, both groups mounted as worn, good very fine (12) £1200-1500

D.F.C. London Gazette 14 September 1943. The original recommendation states:

‘Flying Officer Wood has now completed 25 operational sorties [with No. 103 Squadron], the targets including Berlin (twice), Kiel, Hamburg and most of the heavily defended Ruhr targets. Under a calm and quiet manner this officer possesses a fine offensive spirit in action and a staunch determination to press home his attacks with the greatest possible accuracy and effectiveness. His high sense of duty and the conscientious manner in which he carries out his work both in the air and on the ground have set a very fine example in the Squadron.’

U.S.A. Silver Star London Gazette 10 June 1946. The original recommendation states:

‘Since he was awarded the D.F.C. Squadron Leader Wood has completed 33 operational sorties as an Air Bomber in heavy bombers [with No. 35 Squadron]. Many of these attacks have been made in the Master Bomber aircraft and some have been in support of American ground forces. On the night of 24 May 1945, Squadron Leader Wood volunteered for a special mission which involved the dropping of much needed supplies into the hospital compound of the Prisoners of War Camp at Neubrandenburg. The mission was not granted safe conduct by the enemy and involved a long flight at very low altitude rarely in excess of 500 feet. The successful dropping of the containers into a very small area was completed by Squadron Leader Wood after a most accurate run up to the target at an altitude of 150 feet.’

Only 29 awards of the American Silver Star to the R.A.F. during the Second World War.

Gilbert Wood, who was born in December 1909 and enlisted as an A.C. 2 in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in October 1941, was discharged to an emergency commission as a Pilot Officer in August 1942. A Flying Officer by the time of joining his first operational posting, No. 103 Squadron, a Lancaster unit based at Elsham Wolds in Lincolnshire, in early 1943, he went on to complete a tour of operations as a Bomb Aimer before the year’s end, his first sortie being flown against Hamburg on the night of 3-4 March. Wood’s other targets included three trips to Essen, one of them the first OBOE raid of 5-6 March, when the Krupps factory was severely damaged; no less than five trips to Duisberg and a brace of strikes against Cologne, in addition to those against Berlin referred to in his D.F.C. recommendation.

At which point Wood returned to the fray with No. 35 Squadron requires further research, but he brought his tally of operational flights to over the 60 mark before completing this second tour. He is also known to have acted as the squadron’s Visual Bombing Leader, a position of great responsibility in such a well-known Path Finder Force unit. Undoubtedly much of this second tour comprised operations in close support of the Allied landings in Normandy, and, later, in the drive through North West Europe, and it was on one of these that he won his Silver Star. An American General Order issued by the A.P.O., 633 U.S. Army, in April 1946, takes up the story:

‘For gallantry in aerial flight against the enemy on 24 April 1945. Volunteering for a special mission which involved the dropping of much needed supplies into the hospital compound of the Prisoner of War Camp in the area of Neubrandenburg, Squadron Leader Wood distinguished himself by outstanding courage and aerial skill.

Despite danger from enemy anti-aircraft fire and the necessity of low altitude flying, he successfully completed his mission from an altitude of 150 feet. The determination and devotion to duty displayed by Squadron Leader Wood reflect great credit upon himself and the Royal Air Force.’

Wood was released from the Royal Air Force in February 1948. Later that year, however, he was recalled to the Active List, and was not finally placed back on the Retired List until November 1965. He died in December 1982.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including a copy of the recipient’s birth certificate issued on 3 January 1910; two wartime photographs of Wood in uniform with his wife and others; a letter from the Military Air Attaché, American Embassy, dated 31 October 1946, forwarding the Silver Star, together with General Orders describing the services for which it was awarded; Ministry of Defence letter of thanks on his retirement from the R.A.F., dated 20 November 1965; an official R.A.F. Record of Service, dated 21 September 1966; and an attractive illuminated certificate upon his stepping down, in April 1963, as R.A.F. Commander at R.A.F. Upper Heyford, where he served with Strategic Air Command, 3918th Combat Support Group.