Beschreibung:

'Strewn across the Downs at the back of a South Coast town [Brighton] are bits and pieces of a German bomber. In the early hours of this morning [8 May 1942], the droning of heavy engines of the raider awakened the residents. Suddenly there came the sound of cannon fire - a night fighter had caught up with the intruder. The raider was seen to burst into flames. As it lost height it broke into pieces, followed by a terrific explosion. When I visited the scene this morning, writes an Evening Argus reporter, I saw the huge tail which had obviously been shot away by cannon fire. In a ploughed field I saw one of the engines. On a hill, a mile and a quarter away, pieces were being picked up. The crew of the machine, numbering five, were all killed. When the main debris of the plane, which was buried in a crater, was examined in daylight, the mangled bodies of four of the airmen, burned and charred beyond recognition, were recovered. One of the uniforms was decorated with the Iron Cross first class and another with the Iron Cross second class … ' Luftwaffe Leutnant R. Oepen and his crew pay the ultimate price, having been tracked and traced by 'Johnny' Topham and 'Wilbur' Berridge in their Beaufighter of No. 219 Squadron; the front page of the Evening Argus, 8 May 1942, refers. An exceptional Second World War night fighter's - and Battle of Britain veteran's - D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar group of six awarded to Flight Lieutenant H. W. W. 'Wilbur' Berridge, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve In one of the most successful partnerships of the war, as Observer / Navigator (Radio) to Wing Commander J. G. 'Johnny' Topham, D.S.O., D.F.C., he amassed a total of 13 confirmed victories, initially in Beaufighters of No. 219 Squadron and latterly in Mosquitos of No. 125 Squadron Such notable success was achieved on the back of some hair-raising point-blank combats, thus the occasion on which their Beaufighter was turned upside down by the force of an exploding enemy aircraft But whether their survival was attributable to Topham's lucky mascot - his German 'Mae West' removed from the wreckage of an earlier victim - remains open to debate. More likely it was down to Berridge's regular reminder to his pilot: "Remember, we don't want any ruddy damage to ourselves" Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamels, the reverse of the suspension bar officially dated '1945'; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar, the reverses of the Cross and the Bar both officially dated '1942'; 1939-45 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Flt. Lt. H. Berridge, R.A.F.V.R.), good very fine and better (6) D.S.O. London Gazette 17 August 1945. The original recommendation states: 'This officer has completed two tours of operational duty. Since the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, he has flown on a large number of operational sorties, in the course of which considerable damage has been inflicted on the enemy's mechanical transport. He has also destroyed four more enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to at least 12 enemy aircraft destroyed and other damaged. Throughout his long operational career, Flight Lieutenant Berridge has displayed a fine fighting spirit, outstanding skill and a great devotion to duty.' D.F.C. London Gazette 23 June 1942. The original recommendation states: 'This Observer has participated in many night fighting sorties against the enemy and has taken part in the destruction of 3 enemy aircraft. He has shown great skill and determination.' Bar to D.F.C. London Gazette 20 October 1942. The original recommendation states: 'Flying Officer Berridge is a highly efficient Observer. He has at all times displayed great devotion to duty and set an example worthy of attainment. Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross he has achieved much success.' Horace Walter William Berridge, who was born in 19