Beschreibung:

A Second War 1942 ‘immediate’ Malta Spitfire Ace’s D.F.M. group of eight awarded to Pilot Officer L. G. C. De Lara, 249 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (740876. F/Sgt. L. G. C. De Lara R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Plt. Off. L. G. C. De Lara R.A.F.V.R.) mounted for display, good very fine (8) £3,000-£4,000 Footnote D.F.M. London Gazette 3 November 1942: ‘One day in October, 1942, this airman was the pilot of one of a section of aircraft engaged on a sorties over Malta. Within a short time, 2 large formations of enemy bombers were intercepted. Despite heavy odds, Flight Sergeant De Lara so skilfully led his section in attack that they caused the enemy to jettison their bombs into the sea on each occasion. Throughout, this airman displayed brilliant leadership and high courage. He has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft.’ The original recommendation states: ‘At dusk on 19/10 in extremely bad weather conditions he [De Lara] took off with 3 other pilots. His Section Leader returned to base when his windscreen oiled-up and Flight Sergeant De Lara immediately took over as Leader. In a short space of time he intercepted 2 separate formations of enemy bombers totalling approximately 40 aircraft causing them to jettison their bombs in the sea and dive into the clouds. In the last interception he destroyed 1 enemy bomber and as a result of the engagement only 3 of the enemy crossed the coast. Flight Sergeant De Lara’s leadership on this occasion was magnificent and one of the features of the recent intensive fighting over Malta. His courage, determination and resolution inspired his fellow pilots to such an extent that 3 Spitfires dispersed 40 enemy bombers. During the present battle he has always exhibited the greatest desire to meet the enemy and on 19/10 when faced with overwhelming odds he took his chance and proved himself to be an outstanding fighter. This airman pilot arrived at Malta 9/6/42 and his score to date is 5 enemy aircraft destroyed and 5 damaged. During the week ending 19/10 he destroyed 4 enemy bombers and 1 fighter and damaged 3 bombers.’ Louis George Charles De Lara was born in Pune, India, in July 1914. The De Lara family were originally from Palermo, Italy, and moved to the south coast of England. De Lara’s father was George Louis Joseph De Lara, who was a Colour Sergeant in the British Army. De Lara served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second War, and having carried out his initial training was posted as a pilot to 65 Squadron (Spitfires), Debden, at the start of 1942. The Squadron were primarily engaged on low-level attacks on enemy transport and shipping reconnaissance. Malta 1942 De Lara volunteered for service overseas and was posted to Malta in June 1942. He was amongst the Spitfires that flew off H.M.S. Eagle, arriving at Malta, 9 June 1942. De Lara was initially posted as a pilot to 185 Squadron, however, he transferred to 249 Squadron (Spitfires) at Ta Kali by the end of the month. Engaged in the island’s defence, De Lara was quickly off the mark when he damaged an Italian fighter, 4 July 1942. The latter had been part of an bomber escort of 30 aircraft which was successfully intercepted by 8 Spitfires of 249 Squadron. De Lara was on the receiving end, 11 July 1942: ‘It was not until 1845 that ten Ju88s, 16 MC2002s and two dozen Bf109s of I/JG 77 approached the coast, the bombers heading for Ta Kali. The attack was fairly accurate and one Spitfire was destroyed in its pen, another two sustaining damage. The defenders reported engagements with Messerschmitts only, three being claimed shot down... The badly damaged Spitfire which [Pilot Officer] Yarra reported escorting was Flt. Sgt. de L’Ara’s [Sic] BR347, which crash-landed at Ta Kali, slightly injuring the pilot.’ (Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942, C. Shores, B. Cull and N. Malizia refers) After