A Second World War D.F.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant W. D. Burchett, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who survived the daylight raids on Le Creusot and Milan in October 1942, in addition to two close encounters with enemy night fighters

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1380910 Sgt. W. D. Burchett, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals, extremely fine (5) £800-1000

D.F.M. London Gazette 13 July 1943. The recommendation states:

‘Sergeant Burchett has completed 32 successful operational sorties as a Bomb Aimer, including the daylight sorties to Le Creusot and Milan. Throughout his operational career he has consistently shown great skill and determination, both in attacking the target and assisting in the navigation by accurate pinpoints and map reading. On one occasion, when returning from Nuremburg, Sergeant Burchett’s aircraft was heavily attacked by flak over the French coast and the forward escape hatch became dislodged. He lost most of his maps and equipment and only saved himself by clinging to the bomb sight mounting brackets. On another occasion, his aircraft was struck on the nose by an incendiary bomb from another aircraft which exploded between the pilot’s and Bomb Aimer’s positions. Sergeant Burchett’s intercommunication wires were cut and much of his equipment damaged but he continued to assist the Navigator by passing back written messages. In both of the above situations he showed coolness and devotion to duty, and throughout the tour he has, by his determination and skill, contributed in no small extent to the success of his crew’s efforts. I most strongly recommend the Distinguished Flying Medal.’

William Dennis Burchett commenced his operational career as a Bomb Aimer with No. 49 Squadron, a Lancaster unit based at Scampton, on the night of 14-15 February 1942, with a sortie to Mannheim. Thus ensued an eventful tour of operations with a mixture of French, Italian and German targets, some of them of the more notable kind, such as the 1000 Bomber Raid against Cologne on the night of 30-31 May 1942 and the daylight raid on Le Creusot on 17 October of the same year. On the latter occasion the attacking force of 88 aircraft was led by Wing Commander Slee of No. 49, its 300 mile approach to the target over mainland France being carried out at tree-top level, followed by a low-level attack carried out at between 2,500 and 7,500 feet. And it is clear from official records that Burchett and his crew attracted the attention of enemy aircraft on more than one occasion, the raid on Wilhelmshaven on the night of 14-15 September 1942 being a case in point:

‘Approximately four miles East of target at 6,000 feet, a J.U. 88 was sighted on the port quarter 200 feet below at a range of 500 yards. The enemy aircraft was climbing to attack when the Rear-Gunner gave him a burst of 50 rounds from each gun. The pilot then took evasive action on the Rear-Gunner’s commentary and made a diving turn to port and contact was lost with the fighter.’

Then little over a month later, in the daylight raid on Milan on 25 October, they ran into a more determined Italian fighter pilot who holed both of the their Lancaster’s wings:

‘Lancaster was climbing at 160 m.p.h., above cloud level, when a C.R. 42 attacked from down sun on starboard quarter up at 1000 yards. Enemy closed in and opened fire at about 600 yards, and both the Mid-Upper and Rear-Gunners returned fire. At about 500 yards the enemy aircraft broke away to starboard quarter and up. This attack was repeated five times, and on the last attack the pilot took evasive action by making climbing turns to starboard. The enemy aircraft broke off at 350 yards and dived down through clouds emitting smoke. Damage to Lancaster: one bullet hole in each wing. Enemy aircraft claimed as damaged.’

Burchett ended his tour of operations with two visits to Berlin in late March 1943, having already visited Dusseldorf on three occasions, and Essen and Wismar twice. Awarded the D.F.M., he was transferred to No. 14 Operational Training Unit and does not appear to have flown on operations again.