A good Second War 1941 ‘immediate’ Coastal Command D.F.M. group of five awarded to Beaufort and Mosquito pilot Sergeant L. H. Morgan, 217 Squadron, Royal Air Force, a highly skilled pilot whose ability to press home an attack, regardless of enemy night fighter attack and a need for low level flying, was repeatedly illustrated in the attacks on the Oil Refineries at Donges, and the Kuhlmann Chemical Works at Nantes, in September 1941. During the course of both of these actions, Morgan had to descend his Beaufort to between 100-150 feet, in the face of searchlights, anti-aircraft fire, and enemy fighters. He was later commissioned, advanced to Flight Lieutenant, and served as a photo reconnaissance pilot with 684 Squadron, flying long-rang Mosquitos over Burma

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (916994. Sgt. L. H. Morgan. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, generally very fine or better (5) £1,600-£2,000

Spink, 1962. £32 10/-

D.F.M. London Gazette 21 October 1941. The official recommendation states:

‘Sergeant Morgan, the pilot of Beaufort aircraft "G" was ordered on 28th September, 1941, to carry out a night attack in company with four other aircraft on docks and shipping at St. Nazaire with the Oil Refineries at Donges as the alternative target. Because of haze and low cloud, the primary target could not be located. The pilot therefore continued along the coast and approached the secondary target from the North when the pilot obtained a clear view of several large storage tanks at Donges. The aircraft was then approached by an enemy fighter but Sergeant Morgan took evasive action by diving to 100 feet, enabling the rear gunner to fire a burst of 50 rounds at the enemy aircraft and to extinguish a challenging searchlight with 150 rounds. Proceeding across the target at 700 feet, the bombs, two 500lb. G.P., three 250lb. G.P., instantaneous fusing, and one 25lb. canister of incendiary bombs were released in a 30 foot stick directly among the tanks. All five were seen to burst and their explosion shook the aircraft. A large fire was also immediately observed which was still seen to be burning fiercely when the aircraft was 25 miles from the target.

On 30th September, 1941, Sergeant Morgan was the pilot of Beaufort aircraft "Z" detailed to carry out a night attack on the Kuhlmann Chemical Works at Nantes. When the target area was in sight, an enemy fighter was observed dead ahead which the pilot avoided by diving to 150 feet and proceeding out to sea. Returning landwards, the pilot approached the target along the River Loire but the shipyards were not seen until the aircraft was directly overhead because of ground haze. The pilot prepared to make another run from the North East and then encountered intense machine gun tracer fire and searchlights. After climbing, the haze still obscured the target and the pilot therefore made his run at 700 feet and the stick of bombs, two 500lb. G.P.s and three 250lb. G.P.s, instantaneous fusing, and one canister of incendiaries was aimed at rectangular buildings and chimneys in the target area. The bursts were observed by the crew and the explosion violently rocked the aircraft. The fire that was started could still be seen 20 miles away on the homeward journey. The persistence and skill with which Sergeant Morgan carried out theses attacks enabled the targets to be effectively bombed and ensured the safety of his aircraft. Since joining No. 217 Squadron, Sergeant Morgan has carried out 26 operational sorties and has always displayed skill and resolution of a high standard. 4th October, 1941.’

Lloyd Hollister Morgan was born in Croydon in January 1920, and was ‘educated at Maidstone Grammar School. He became a clerk with Kent county council before, in March 1940, enlisting in the RAF and training as a pilot.

He joined No 217 Squadron [Coastal Command, St. Eval and Thorney Island] in April 1941 and flew anti-shipping patrols in the North Sea and in the Bay of Biscay, as well as carrying out bombing raids near the French Biscay ports...

Morgan was the pilot of one of three Beauforts of No 217 Squadron which were sent to bomb docks and shipping at St Nazaire on the night of September 28 1941. Poor weather thwarted the attack, so Morgan and his crew headed for their alternative target, the oil refinery at nearby Donge. On the Beaufort’s approach, a night fighter attacked. As Morgan dived to 100ft, his gunner opened fire and the enemy fighter sheered off. The gunner then destroyed a threatening searchlight.

The Beaufort pressed on, and was able to obtain a direct hit with its bombs, causing an explosion that shook the low-flying bomber in the sky. A large fire could still be seen burning fiercely when the aircraft was fully 25 miles from the target.

Two nights later Morgan was detailed to carry out a night attack on a chemical works at Nantes. The observer fixed their position in hazy conditions and released the bombs from 700ft. Again, the explosion rocked the aircraft — the crew watched as a tall chimney collapsed, to be followed by another enormous fire. As they headed for the coast, they saw below them torch flashes from locals which signalled “dit-dit-dit-dah” (“V” – for “Victory”). The event received wide coverage in the British national press and Morgan’s DFM was announced three weeks later.... By the end of September he had completed 26 patrols....

After training as a flying instructor, Morgan was commissioned [Pilot Officer in March 1942] and spent a year teaching pilots to fly the Beaufort. In June 1943 he trained as a photographic reconnaissance pilot, leaving four months later for India, where he joined the newly formed No 684 Squadron, flying the long-range Mosquito from airfields near Calcutta [advanced to Flying Officer in October 1943, and to Flight Lieutenant in March 1944].

From an advanced base, the squadron photographed most of Burma and northern Thailand before detachments were sent to Ceylon to photograph northern Sumatra. After almost a year of continuous operations Morgan was rested and instructed at a flying school at Poona before returning to Britain. He was released from the Service in May 1946.

Morgan then joined BEA and flew the Dakota, Viscount and Vanguard. He continued flying when BOAC and BEA merged to form British Airways, converting to jets and becoming the senior training captain on the BAC-111 fleet. After retiring from BA he spent five years flying the BAC-111 with Air Malawi, finally retiring at the age of 60.’ (Telegraph Obituary refers)

Flight Lieutenant Morgan died in April 2013.

Sold with copied research.