Beschreibung:

A well-documented post-War ‘Air Observation Post’ D.S.O group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. H. Hailes, Royal Artillery, who specialised in the hazardous task of flying light, slow, cramped and unarmed Auster spotter planes over hostile territory in Palestine, Malaya, and Korea in the face of determined opposition and dangerous circumstances but nonetheless always attempted to engage enemy targets, efforts that also saw him twice Mentioned in Despatches; in Korea he identified and fixed Chinese artillery positions for counter-bombardments by 1 Commonwealth Division or by US heavy guns Distinguished Service Order, E.II.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse undated, with integral top riband bar; 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 3 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Malaya, Cyprus, additional clasps unofficially attached, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. J. M. H. Hailes. R.A.); Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Major J. M. H. Haines [sic]. D.S.O. R.A.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, generally very fine and better (6) £6,000-£8,000 A well-documented post-War ‘Air Observation Post’ D.S.O group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. H. Hailes, Royal Artillery, who specialised in the hazardous task of flying light, slow, cramped and unarmed Auster spotter planes over hostile territory in Palestine, Malaya, and Korea in the face of determined opposition and dangerous circumstances but nonetheless always attempted to engage enemy targets, efforts that also saw him twice Mentioned in Despatches; in Korea he identified and fixed Chinese artillery positions for counter-bombardments by 1 Commonwealth Division or by US heavy guns Distinguished Service Order, E.II.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse undated, with integral top riband bar; 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 3 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Malaya, Cyprus, additional clasps unofficially attached, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. J. M. H. Hailes. R.A.); Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Major J. M. H. Haines [sic]. D.S.O. R.A.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, generally very fine and better (6) £6,000-£8,000 D.S.O. London Gazette 24 April 1953: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished flying services in Korea’. The original recommendation states: ‘Major Hailes has been in command of 1903 Air OP Flight RAF since July 1952. He joined the Flight at a time when two pilots had been shot down and two others had changed. There was therefore concern at the possibility of the operational efficiency of the Flight dropping considerably. In the event this did not happen and, in fact, the reverse was the case as the Flight went from strength to strength. The credit for this rests entirely with Major Hailes. From the very outset he was complete master of the situation and displayed leadership of the highest order in all spheres but most particularly from the operational aspect. He himself did far more flying than his duties as Flight Commander called for and it was characteristic of his him that he would always use the most doubtful aircraft leaving the others for the remaining pilots. His magnificent example, efficiency and courage during this difficult period was a great inspiration to the more experienced pilots and filled the younger ones with unshakeable confidence. While going to great pains to train his younger pilots he carried, at the same time, an even greater share of the operational sorties than would have been his in a normal situation. He has personally flown 125 sorties and conducted 166 shoots with guns of the Divisional and Corps artillery. In doing this he has been responsible for inflicting many casualties of both men and equipment on the enemy. The whole Division has the greatest respect and admiration for the Air OP Flight and this is a direct result of the magnificent leadership, courage and conscientiousness consistently displayed by Major Hailes throughout the period. His work in all spheres has been far above what one would