Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Pilot Officer (Pilot) J. G. Mitchell, 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who was killed in action when his Hampden was shot down by heavy flak near Jollenbeck whilst on a bombing sortie over Schwerte, on 21-22 June 1940

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Air Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘A. J. Mitchell, Esq., 3 The Priory, Tunbridge Wells, Kent’, extremely fine (3) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Royal Air Force Casualties.

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Jeffrey Guy Mitchell was commissioned Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1940, and joined 61 Squadron shortly afterwards. He carried out his first sortie on 12 April 1940 in a sweep for a German Battleship and her escort destroyers off Stavanger. The ship was not found. Mitchell did not participate in any of May’s sorties but joined the action from 3 June 1940 as Co-Pilot to Flight Lieutenant D. M. Barrett, and participated in covering the Dunkirk evacuation.

Mitchell was killed in action when Hampden P4346, piloted by Flight Lieutenant D. M. Barrett, was hit by flak which destroyed the aircraft’s tail and sent it down to crash at Jollenbeck, whilst on a bombing raid on Schwerte. Barrett survived the crash, was taken prisoner of war, and eventually ended up as a Squadron Leader, whereas the rest of the crew were killed.

Mitchell is buried alongside the rest of the casualties from his crew in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. His medals were sent to his father, A. J. Mitchell.

Sold with copied research.