Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Flight Sergeant (Navigator) R. J. Paige, No. 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force
1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal; Defence and War Medals, these all named, together with cloth Navigator’s Brevet Wing and an interesting archive of original documentation, including named Buckingham Palace condolence letter; various condolence letters from the Air Ministry, B.R.C.S. etc.; Telegram from 102 Squadron posting him missing as a result of air operations; typscript three page report of an interview with Sergeant Gosling, the only survivor from the plane, dated 6 May 1945; original copy of the Evening Standard, dated 16 February 1944, headlined ‘2500 Tons of Bombs Blast Berlin’; several copy photographs of Paige and a quantity of additional research, nearly extremely fine (4)

Flight Sergeant R. J. ‘Dickie’ Paige completed seven operational missions before being posted missing following a raid on Berlin on the night of 15/16 February 1944, when his Halifax failed to return. In the absence of further news, he was posted presumed killed in action in December 1944. He is buried in Berlin War Cemetery.

The following extract is taken from Sergeant Eric Gosling’s report: ‘The bomber set out to bomb Berlin, with a full load of HE and fire bombs, and with the long distance extra fuel tank necessary for the operation. They flew on an easterly course over the North sea and Denmark to the Baltic, where they turned South, and crossed the Baltic coast of Germany not far from Rostock. As they approached the coast Bill (Pilot) asked Eric (Flight Engineer) for his ‘chute, which he fixed on Bill and also put on his own. Almost immediately afterwards Freddie (Rear Gunner) came through on the intercom saying he thought there were enemy fighters about. Bill told them all to keep a sharp look-out, and began ‘weaving’. Eric went up into the astrodome to have a look round, and immediately there was a terrific bump which seemed to lift the ship right up and made it shudder. There was no sign of fighters above, but tracer bullets were coming up thick and fast from under, and it was evident fighters had made a ‘belly’ attack. Bill said the ship was well ablaze and gave the order to bale out. Eric’s opinion is that Bill realised the danger with such a heavy load of fire bombs and the extra petrol they carried. Eric quickly made his way to the hatch and jumped, and as he did so saw someone’s boot, who was following him; he surmised this was Sgt. Deane (Upper Gunner). This was soon after 8 p.m.’