Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A most unusual Second World War immediate D.F.M. group of six awarded to Flight Lieutenant W. R. Youens, Royal Air Force, who piloted Wellingtons of No. 38 Squadron on torpedo strikes in the Mediterranean

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1376216 Sgt. W. R. Youens, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine or better (6) £3500-4000

D.F.M. London Gazette 30 June 1942. The original joint recommendation states:

‘One night in May 1942, Sergeant Youens and Sergeant Carington were the pilot and observer respectively of an aircraft which made a daring attack on a convoy in the Mediterranean. A hit with a torpedo was scored on an 8,000 ton motor vessel. Intense heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered from which the aircraft sustained damage but, by displaying skilful flying and navigation these airmen brought the aircraft to an advance base safely after an operation lasting 8 hours.’

William Robert Youens commenced his pilot training at No. 16 E.F.T.S. at Derby in March 1941, attended No. 15 O.T.U. at Harwell that August and was embarked for the Middle East, via Gibraltar and Malta, at the end of the year. Posted to No. 38 Squadron, a Wellington unit, which he joined on Christmas Day 1941, he flew his first mission as a 2nd Pilot on the 28th. Three more sorties followed in January 1942, a mine-laying trip in February, and two runs to Benghazi in March, by which stage he was operating as 1st Pilot.

It was at this juncture that No. 38’s aircraft and aircrew were hastily transformed into a torpedo-bomber role, under the auspices of No. 201 Naval Co-operation Group, Youens flying a practice mission over Suez Bay in late April, following two more visits to Benghazi earlier in the month. Having experienced just half a dozen more “Dummy” torpedo trips over the Bay in the first half of May, he ran into a real enemy convoy on the 25th, while flying in co-operation with an A.S.V.-equipped Wellington of No. 221 Squadron. No. 38’s O.R.B. takes up the story:

‘At 0130 hours Sergeant Youens received a revised position for the convoy from the A.S.V. aircraft. He set course for the estimated position, repeatedly checking by bearings on the A.S.V. aircraft. At 0215 hours Sergeant Youens sighted the convoy consisting of two destroyers and two M.Vs, one large of about 8-10,000 tons and the other 2-3,000 tons. The convoy was in echelon 1,200 yards apart with the destroyers on the flanks. He attacked the large M.V., approaching to the stern of the starboard destroyer. The destroyer opened fire with 12-14 Bofors-type guns, hitting the aircraft and causing damage. As the aircraft came round to the north-east of the convoy, Sergeant Youens saw a smoke screen beginning centering on the target ship. He could not see whether there was smoke coming from the stack or whether it was the result of a hit. The A.S.V. aircraft reported that clouds of smoke were pouring from the ship and the next day a reconnaissance aircraft reported a large M.V. beached some 30 miles north of Benghazi with a gaping hole in the side. It is therefore claimed that Sergeant Youens hit the ship. The aircraft was damaged considerably, hits being registered on the flaps, main surface and aileron of the starboard wing, starboard side of the fuselage, port engine cowling and port engine wheel covers. The aircraft succeeded in reaching LG05.’

Youens, who was duly recommended for an immediate D.F.M., remained on active service in No. 38 Squadron until September 1942, latterly on attachment to No. 5 M.E.T.S., and flew several more torpedo-carrying operations in addition to participating in more regular bombing duties, including another ‘possible hit’ against a Motor Vessel (M.V.) in an enemy convoy located off Tobruk on 8 September. Earlier, on returning from a bombing mission to Tobruk on the night of 14 July, he was compelled to carry out a forced-landing, having gone as far as to warn his crew of a pending bale-out.

In October 1943, after 12 months on instructional duties, Youens joined No. 179 Squadron at Gibraltar for a second operational tour, flying Wellington bombers, and later Warwicks, on anti-submarine duties. He remained similarly employed until November 1945, by which time he had completed another 40 or so operational sweeps. Youens ended his flying career with an appointment at 19 Group Communications Flight in the summer of 1948.

Sold with the recipient’s original Flying Log Books (2), covering the periods March 1941 to August 1947, and August 1947 until June 1948; together with a short history of No. 38 Squadron, 1916-1963.