Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Path Finder Force D.F.C. group of five awarded to Warrant Officer Herbert Smith, No. 156 (P.F.F.) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse dated 1945, with case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals, the group mounted for display, together with his original ‘Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book’ for the period November 1940 to February 1945, R.A.F. Service and Release Book, Path Finder Force Badge and Certificate, named transmission slip for D.F.C., and many other documents and photographs, extremely fine £800-1000

D.F.C. London Gazette 22 March 1945. The following details are taken from the original recommendation: ‘Warrant Officer Smith has now completed 55 operational sorties, 22 of which have been with the Path Finder Force. This Air Gunner received no recognition for his first tour, which was carried out against German targets. In this Squadron he has proved himself a tenacious and determined Gunner. He is always vigilant and capable and has been an asset to his crew.’

Herbert Smith commenced his initial training on 16 November 1940 at No. 2 E. & W.S. (Dominie I), and subsequently with No. 5 B. & G.S. (Blenheim I’s) and 25 OTU (Ansons and Hampdens), being certified Above Average in Air Gunnery. He commenced operations with No. 144 Squadron on 11 June 1941, completing 30 operations on Hampdens against targets in Germany. In November 1941 he went to 16 OTU as a Gunnery Instructor but also took part in the ‘Thousand Bomber’ raids against Essen and Bremenin June 1942, before transferring to the Central Gunnery School in December 1942. He joined No. 156 Path Finder Squadron in June 1944 as Rear Gunner on Lancaster III’s, completing 30 operational sorties, mostly as Marker and once as Master Bomber.