Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘1943’ North Africa D.F.C. group of eight awarded to Blenheim and Boston pilot, Wing Commander D. C. Sandeman, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in at least 29 operational sorties, and commanded 18 (Burma) Squadron over North Africa, Sicily and Italy

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1943’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Wg. Cdr. D. C. Sandeman. R.A.F.); Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Flt. Lt. D. C. Sandeman. R.A.F.V.R.) light contact marks, very fine (8) £1,800-£2,200

D.F.C. London Gazette 28 September 1943:

‘Wing Commander Sandeman has taken part in the air operations over Tunisia since November, 1942 flying Bisley aircraft both by day and by night and later taking part in the massed light bomber day attacks using Boston aircraft. During one daylight attack when leading a formation of three Bisleys against Bizerta under cover of cloud, which dispersed rapidly after the target had been successfully bombed, Wing Commander Sandeman was attacked by enemy fighter aircraft. His machine was badly damaged so that he lost almost all his instruments including his blind flying panel and the control surfaces were so affected as to make the machine very difficult to handle. He nevertheless succeeded in reaching cloud and continued to use it’s cover for 20 minutes eventually making good his escape only to have to force-land owing to petrol shortage resulting from the damage.

Since this time he has added a further twenty sorties to his total of attacks and has led his Squadron with considerable skill and determination against the German and Italian front line positions and aerodromes often in the face of violent opposition. He is recommended for the award of the D.F.C. for courage and devotion to duty shown during a considerable number of attacks made in the North African Campaign.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 14 June 1945.

Denis Crosbie Sandeman was born in May 1913, and served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second War. He was commissioned in May 1940, and after training at No. 42 O.T.U. was posted as Flying Officer to 13 Squadron (Blenheims) at Odiham in July 1942. Sandeman was posted with the Squadron for service in North Africa in November 1942, and took part in 13 Squadron’s first operational sortie during the campaign - an attack on Bizerta Docks, 19/20 November 1942. He followed this up by leading a formation of Blenheims during an attack on Bizerta Aerodrome, 30 November 1942. During the latter he was attacked by a FW 190 and forced to crash- land near Bone.

Sandeman transferred to 18 (Burma) Squadron in December 1942. Having advanced to Flight Lieutenant, Sandeman flew with the Squadron out of Blida, Algeria, shortly after the Squadron’s commanding officer (Wing Commander H. G. Malcolm) had been posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry on 4 December 1942. Due to the casualties suffered by the Squadron on the latter date Sandeman was appointed a Flight Commander with the Acting Rank of Squadron Leader. He flew in at least 24 operational sorties with the Squadron between January - September 1943, including over targets in North Africa, Sicily and Southern Italy, and took over command of the Squadron in April of that year.

Sandeman was awarded his Air Efficiency Award in 1945, advanced to Wing Commander in July 1947, and retired in July 1960.