Beschreibung:

An outstanding Malaya 1950-52 operations D.F.C. group of four awarded to Wing Commander A. P. Norman, Royal Air Force, who, having gained his laurels in Typhoon rocket strikes over Aden in 1948-49, amassed a tally of 229 operational sorties during the course of Operation “Firedog”, carrying out bombing and cannon attacks on Malayan jungle targets in Brigands of No. 45 and No. 84 Squadrons, the majority of them as Squadron C.O. and Strike Leader Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R. 2nd issue, the reverse officially dated ‘1952’; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (Act. Sqn. Ldr. A. P. Norman, R.A.F.), mounted court-style as worn, minor contact wear and a little polished, otherwise generally very fine (4) £5000-6000 Footnote D.F.C. London Gazette 29 August 1952: ‘In recognition of distinguished service in Malaya.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Squadron Leader Norman has been continuously engaged on anti-communist operations in Malaya since January 1950, first as a Flight Commander and, since September 1951, as Officer Commanding No. 84 Squadron. During this time, this officer has shown the highest powers of leadership and devotion to duty and has been an inspiration to his squadron. This was particularly noticeable at a time when a series of technical defects in Brigand aircraft and equipment resulted in a number of serious accidents and losses on operations, the cause of which remained for a time undiscovered. It was largely due to the example and leadership of Squadron Leader Norman that the morale of his squadron did not seriously deteriorate. In addition to the large number of operational sorties that this officer has carried out over what is probably the most dangerous jungle country in the world, Squadron Leader Norman has been untiring in his efforts to suggest ways and means by which air operations in support of the Army in Malaya could be made more effective. Squadron Leader Norman has played a leading part, as Flight Commander and Squadron Commander, in maintaining the very high morale of his squadron through some very difficult periods.’ Ayshford Peter Norman was born in May 1924 and educated at Hurstpierpoint, prior to enlisting in the Royal Air Force in London in August 1942. Embarked in the Queen Mary for New York in June 1943, he journeyed north to commence his pilot training in Canada, where he gained his Pilot’s Flying Badge at Yorkton, Saskatchewan, in December of the same year, and was commissioned as Pilot Officer. Back in the U.K. by May 1944, where he was advanced to Flying Officer, Norman served at assorted O.T.Us and A.F.Us for the remainder of the War. Operations - Aden Post-war, he served in Mosquitos out in Aden, namely in No. 114 Squadron from May to August 1946, and No. 8 Squadron from September 1946 to March 1947, prior to returning to the U.K. to attend the Central Gunnery School. He then returned to No. 8 Squadron in Aden at the end of the year, this time piloting Tempests and acting as air cover for negotiations on the ground, in addition to carrying out at least 20 rocket strikes - his C.O., Squadron Leader F. W. M. Jensen was awarded the D.F.C. in the same period. For his own part, Norman returned to an appointment at R.A.F. Finningley in early 1949, followed by a conversion course to Brigand aircraft at Leeming, whence he was posted to No. 1 Ferry Unit in the Far East. The Brigand - Malaya - D.F.C. The first unit to convert to the Brigand was No. 45 Squadron, then based at R.A.F. Station Tengah, Singapore, flying operations in support of British forces against the communist guerrillas then engaged in an insurgency in Malaya - the first combat operation was conducted by a single Brigand of No. 45 Squadron against guerilla targets in jungle west of Kluang, Malaya, on 19 December 1949. On this flight, the Brigand carried three rockets, one 500lb and two 1,000lb bombs. The operation was successful, and No. 45 Squadron soon completed its transition to the