Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second War 1945 D.F.M. group of five awarded to Lancaster mid-upper gunner Flight Sergeant A. J. Bate, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 29 operational sorties with 12 Squadron, and was involved in multiple air combats - destroying 1 enemy aircraft, and damaging at least 1 other

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (2219060. F/Sgt. A. J. Bate. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with Air Gunner’s brevet, campaign medals all privately engraved ‘F/Sgt. A. J. Bate, D.F.M. 12. Sqdn, I Gp., Bmr. Cmmd.’, generally very fine (5) £1,400-£1,800

D.F.M. London Gazette 17 July 1945:

‘Flight Sergeant Bate is the mid-upper gunner of a Lancaster bomber and has flown 29 successful sorties against the enemy. Many of these attacks have been against deep penetration targets such as Munich, Nuremberg, Dresden and Chemnitz. This gunner’s air discipline has at all times been beyond reproach and his coolness and fighting spirit has inspired the highest standard of morale in his crew. On the night of the 2/3 January 1945, while returning from an attack on Nuremberg, our aircraft was illuminated by fighter flares and a Ju.88 was sighted by Flight Sergeant Bate attacking in the starboard quarter down. Flight Sergeant Bate immediately requested the correct evasive action to be taken and accurate fire, obtained numerous strikes on the enemy fighter which was last seen diving steeply away to starboard. Previously on the same night, this N.C.O. was concerned in a successful combat with an Me.109 when he materially assisted his rear gunner with the destruction of this aircraft. On several other occasions, Flight Sergeant Bate has, by his aggressive spirit, assisted in driving off impeding attacks by enemy fighters. The courage and skill of this N.C.O. is of the highest order and I have no hesitation in recommending him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Remarks by Station Commander:
Flight Sergeant Bate, as mid-upper gunner, has displayed a magnificent fighting spirit in action. His immediate recognition of danger, his superb handling of his guns and his good directions to his captain in combat have inspired his crew with the utmost confidence and made him an indispensable member. I strongly recommend that the fine fighting spirit and proved ability shown by this N.C.O. be rewarded by the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.’

Arthur James Bate served during the Second War as a Flight Sergeant with the Royal Air Force. He was posted for operational service as an Air Gunner to 12 Squadron (Lancasters) at Wickenby. Bate flew in at least 29 operational sorties with the Squadron between September 1944 - March 1945, including: Frankfurt, Calais (2), Neuss, West Kappelle Seawall, Wilhelmshaven, Stuttgart, Essen, Bonn (2), Cologne (3), Dusseldorf, Gelsenkirchen, Wanne Eickel, Schaffenburg, Dortmund (2), Nuremberg (2), Royan, Munich, Vattegort, Cleve, Dresden, Chemnitz, Duisberg, Pforzheim, Mannheim and Misburg.