Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second War Immediate D.F.C. group of five awarded to Warrant Officer A. W. Simpson, No. 158 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1943’, in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp Air Crew Europe; Defence and War Medals, together with his Navigator’s, Air Bomber’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book, for the period February 1943 to April 1944, including participation in the famous Peenemunde Raid, nearly extremely fine (5)

D.F.C. London Gazette 23 November 1943. ‘As airgunner Warrant Officer Simpson has participated in many sorties and has displayed outstanding efficiency, determination and devotion to duty. On several occasions his cool and skilful directions have enabled his pilot to evade fighter attacks, thus playing a good part in the successes obtained. Warrant Officer Simpson has rendered fine service.’

Warrant Officer Arthur Simpson was shot down during a reconnaissance flight over North Africa in a London II by the Vichy French in 1940, and posted missing presumed killed, but was in fact a prisoner of war. Released after the Torch landings, he retrained at 7 A.G.S. on Whitleys, and in June 1943 joined 158 Squadron (Halifaxes) flying operations against Berlin, Cologne and other major German targets. On the night of 17/18 August 1943 he took part in the raid against the rocket research and production establishment at Peenemunde, as Mid Upper Gunner of Halifax ‘M’ for Mother. On completion of 25 operations in October 1943 he was strongly recommended for the immediate award of the D.F.C. with reference to the Peenemunde Operation: ‘On nearing the target his aircraft was attacked by an ME-110. Warrant Officer Simpson promptly gave his Captain the correct avoiding action and the enemy was successfully evaded.’