Beschreibung:

A very rare and well-documented Berlin Airlift O.B.E., Second World War Martin B-26 Marauder operations D.F.C., “V.I.P. Flight” A.F.C. group of ten awarded to Wing Commander H. S. Grimsey, Royal Air Force, late Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve: a pilot with an ‘exceptional’ rating, a veteran of well over 50 operational sorties and a member of the Caterpillar Club, his “V.I.P. Flight” appointments included command of the 11 aircraft assigned to the famous Yalta Conference The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1944’; Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1947’; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Coronation 1953, together with related Caterpillar Club membership badge, gold, with “ruby” eyes, the reverse engraved ‘Sgt. H. Grimsey’, and Czech Pilot’s Flying Badge, by Spink & Son , London, silver, silver-gilt, in its fitted case of issue, generally good very fine (12) £3800-4200 Footnote O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1949. D.F.C. London Gazette 7 April 1944. The original recommendation states: ‘Wing Commander Grimsey has recently assumed command of No. 52 Squadron after a long tour of duty with No. 14 Squadron. He began his tour from England against shipping off Zeebrugge. He was then posted to the Middle East where he made 16 bombing sorties in close support of the Eighth Army. After the Squadron had converted to Coastal Reconnaissance in November 1942, this officer carried out many reconnaissances in the Aegean Sea, and laid mines in the Bay of Tunis with accuracy and determination, his mines being dropped at night into the channel at a height of less than 200 feet. On 31 January 1943, this officer was the leader of two reconnaissance aircraft on offensive patrol. He sighted a 4000 ton merchant vessel escorted by two destroyers and five Ju. 88s. Despite this opposition he made his attack with determination. The results of the torpedo attack were not observed for he was chased away by a Ju. 88 which he probably destroyed. On 5 April and 19 August 1943, while engaged on long range reconnaissances, this pilot sighted valuable enemy convoys. In each case, all the vessels were reported accurately and expeditiously by wireless to his base. On 31 January 1943, this officer was the leader of two reconnaissance aircraft on offensive patrol. He sighted a 4000 ton merchant vessel escorted by two destroyers and five Ju. 88s. Despite this opposition he made his attack with determination. The results of the torpedo attack were not observed for he was chased away by a Ju. 88 which he probably destroyed. On 5 April and 19 August 1943, while engaged on long range reconnaissances, this pilot sighted valuable enemy convoys. In each case, all the vessels were reported accurately and expeditiously by wireless to his base. From 25 August 1943 to 2 February 1944, this officer was in command of a detached flight of No. 14 Squadron at Taranto. The closing of the Adriatic to the enemy and the successful strikes against enemy shipping in that sea and down to Corfu are in large measure due to the work of this flight in which Wing Commander Grimsey played an important part. I strongly recommend this officer for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.’ A.F.C. London Gazette 12 June 1947. The original recommendation states: ‘Squadron Leader Grimsey is a Flight Commander and Deputy Squadron Commander. He has been employed as a V.I.P. Flight pilot with his present unit for three years. During this period he has flown many important missions in all weathers with outstanding skill. In particular he led eleven aircraft in “Operation Argonaut” for the Yalta Conference in February 1945. In April 1946, he made a most urgent special flight, in exceptionally poor weather conditions, to bring the Governor of Gibraltar to t