Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War ‘Spitfire Pilot’s’ D.F.C. group of six awarded to Wing Commander D. Secretan, Royal Air Force, a veteran of the Battle of Britain who served with 72 Squadron at Biggin Hill, took part in numerous offensive patrols, and claimed a ‘probable’ M.E.110 on 27 October 1940. He subsequently commanded 242 Squadron in North Africa 1942-43, where ‘he led his Squadron continuously in action during the fiercest fighting against heavy odds’

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1943; 1939-45 Star, 1 clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted court-style for wear, about extremely fine (6) £6,000-£8,000

Buckland Dix & Wood, April 1994.

D.F.C. London Gazette 26 February 1943:
‘In recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1941.

Dennis Secretan was born on 22 July 1920 and trained to become a pilot at Civil Flying School, Hamble between December 1938 and March 1939. Granted a short Service Commission as Acting Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force, he was posted to 3 Flying Training Unit on 20 March 1939. Graded Pilot Officer on 23 September, just over a week later he was posted to Army Operational Pool. On 6 January 1940, Secretan was posted to 81 Squadron, a communications squadron based at Mountjoie, near Amiens, France, flying Tiger Moths. With the imminent threat of German invasion, Secretan spent much of April and into May on Standby. However, the Squadron was forced back to the U.K. shortly after the invasion itself on 10 May 1940.

Spitfires and the Battle of Britain
On 17 June, Secretan was posted to 26 Squadron, an army co-operation squadron which had itself just been pulled back from France. Equipped with Westland Lysanders and based at R.A.F. West Malling, the squadron remained on active duty on the south coast and whilst the fighting continued in France it was used for a mix of reconnaissance, bombing and supply missions. After the fall of France the squadron flew coastal patrols, especially over the potential German invasion ports. Posted to 225 Squadron at R.A.F. Tilstead on 12 July, Secretan again piloted Lysanders, flying much the same type of operations, though generally flying patrols along the coast of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight - watching for the expected German invasion fleet.

With the Battle of Britain at its height and in great need of fighter pilots, Secretan was posted to 7 Operational Training Unit, Hawarden, on 24 August, where he converted to Spitfires. The conversion course was condensed and in just seven days he was at Hawarden. Secretan lists 20 flights in Spitfires, learning to fly this type, followed by formation flying, attacks and dog-fighting.

Posted to 54 (Fighter) Squadron on 5 September 1940, then based at Hornchurch, that day, the Squadron flew its Spitfire VAs to a new base at Catterick. Over the following 20 days, Secretan lists no less than 53 flights in Spitfires, the majority of short duration; formation, target attacks and such. He lists a ‘Local Dog Fight’ on 7 September, noting in bold ‘Disaster’ and ‘F.O. killed’ and also lists several Operation Patrols. On 18 September after a formation flight, he also notes having ‘turned machine on its nose in landing.’

Appointed Flying Officer on 23 September 1940, five days later, on 28 September, Secretan joined 72 (Fighter) Squadron, then based at the famed R.A.F. Biggin Hill in Kent, a station at the very front of the Luftwaffe offensive. Immediately in action, between 28 and 30 September, Secretan lists taking part in six Squadron Patrols, four of these on 30 September where he notes ‘being attacked by M.E.109s, I chased one with section leader’, ‘engaged M.E.109s’ in another and ‘met M.E.109s’ in the last of the day. Between 2 and 13 October, he took part in 11 Operation Patrols, including four on 5 October. On 16 October, 72 Squadron moved to R.A.F. Leaconfield, Yorkshire, having no operational flying during their short stay, before moving to R.A.F. Coltishall in Norfolk five days later. Between then and 31 October 1940, which was the last officially listed day of the Battle of Britain, Secretan would take part in a further five Operation Patrols. On 27 October Secretan noted in his logbook ‘fired 160 rounds at M.E.110’, the Squadron Records indicating a favourable result:
‘Yellow Section took off to patrol Great Yarmouth at 20,000 feet and, after several vectors, when about 20 miles west of Yarmouth, they sighted an M.E.110 at 26,000 feet. All three aircraft (P./O. Secretan, F./O. Robson and Sgt. Staples) attacked with the result that white smoke came from the enemy aircraft starboard motor. The enemy aircraft disappeared into cloud.’

Later that day, Secretan took part in another patrol and notes ‘attack on Coltishall by HE.111s’. Over the coming months and into 1942, Secretan would continue flying with 72 Squadron, taking part in numerous operations but with the immediate threat of invasion ended and the Battle of Britain won, nothing of particular note is mentioned. Secretan was, however, Mentioned in Despatches, and there is no doubt this was as a direct reflection of his gallant and successful performance during the Battle of Britain. 72 Squadron would return to Biggin Hill on 27 July 1941 and Secretan would remain with them until 29 August, when he briefly transferred to 403 Squadron at Debden. Posted back to 54 Squadron at Hornchurch on 12 September, from here the squadron was tasked with flying fighter sweeps and bomber escort missions over northern France.

Five days after his return to 54 Squadron, on 17 September, Secretan claimed a ‘probable’ following a combat over Dunkirk:
‘I was Yellow one, just about to cross the French coast south of Dunkirk on my way home, when a single M.E.109 approached me head on at my height of 15,000 feet. I did a sharp turn and followed him westwards and when within about 250 yards range I gave a short burst of cannon and MG. from quarter astern. He broke away to port and I lost sight of him, but my number 2 saw many large pieces fall off from the engine and fuselage and the whole aircraft went spinning down out of control to about 3,000 feet. I then returned to base at low altitude.’

Appointed Flight Lieutenant on 23 September 1941, after months of costly fighter sweeps over northern France, 54 Squadron moved to Castletown, Caithness, where it undertook coastal patrols. Leaving the squadron on 9 April 1942, Secretan was posted to 14 Group Headquarters as (Acting) Squadron Leader and in October 1942, he was posted as a Commanding Officer, 242 Squadron.

Commanding 242 Squadron in North Africa and more ‘Claims’
Equipped with Spitfire VBs, 242 Squadron had just been posted from the U.K. to North Africa to support Operation Torch and would subsequently take part in the invasion of Tunisia, there providing air cover for the British 1st Army. After arriving at 242’s new base at Maison Blanche on 8 November, Secretan’s log book records he was immediately into action. On 10 November, he notes a Junkers 88 claimed as a ‘Probable’ with another pilot and being attacked ‘88s’ when landing on the 15 November. Five days later he notes; ‘Attacked by M.E.109F (shook him off me)’ and on 25 November claimed an M.E.109F damaged. Carrying out numerous operations during December, he also notes firing at an F.W.190 on the way home after a bomber escort operation.

In 1943, Secretan would himself become a target for accurate fire. An entry in the Squadron Record Book for 2 January 1943 reports that he had ‘turned up’ having ‘come down near Morris’. However, the full story was later unveiled:
‘Squadron Leader Secretan ... went after the JU.87s travelling east and attacked one straggler with cannon and MG. fire and the enemy aircraft rolled over and went into the sea 5-10 miles off Cap Rosa. He then saw two M.E.109s circling to the north and while returning to base he had exhausted all his ammunition and his radio was u/s. he was attacked by M.E.109s from astern. His aircraft was hit but he landed safely 7 miles north of Morris. The M.E.109s dived on his aircraft on the ground without firing and Secretan got out and ran over to a river bank. The M.E.109s then returned and machine-gunned his aircraft. Secretan got help from a French couple in the area and was eventually taken to Morris in a pony and trap.’

Back flying two days later, Secretan would take part in more operations and though much of the month was spent training, he notes chasing 2 M.E.109s during one operation and during two operations on 28 February, encountering ‘bags of flak’ over Beja Road. The latter would be Secretan’s final flights with 242 Squadron. Indeed, these would be his final combat missions of the war, for within days he was posted to N.W.A.A.F. Fighter Practice Flight. Secretan’s final 242 Squadron log book entry was on 1 March 1943, noting ‘I got my D.F.C. Boy what a surprise for me!’

Final Service
Posted to A.F.U. B.N.A.F. (British North African Force) in June 1943, Secretan was confirmed as Squadron Leader on 28 September that year. Posted to R.A.F. Holmsley South, Hampshire, as Wing Commander and C.O. in March 1944, such employment seems to have been too mundane and in early 1945 he started to press for a return to a Fighter Squadron. In a subsequent letter of reference (original letter in log book), written by a Senior Officer of the Central Fighter Establishment, Secretan is described as having:
‘... Served under me as a Squadron Commander, 242 Squadron, during the initial stages of the North African Campaign. During this time he led his squadron continuously in action during the fiercest fighting against heavy odds, proving himself to be not only a courageous pilot but also an experienced and able Squadron Commander.’

Released from service on 2 September 1946, Secretan joined the Auxiliary Air Force as Flying Officer but retaining the rank of Wing Commander. On 9 June 1951, he relinquished his Commission on appointment as Flying Officer, Royal Air Force Reserve.

Sold with the recipient’s three Royal Air Force Pilot’s Flying Log Books, covering the period 29 December 1938 to 27 July 1941; 2 August 1941 to 10 June 1945; and 14 June 1945 to 30 May 1953; and a bound volume of comprehensive research undertaken by E. G. Hardy of Historical Research, containing detailed career history, relevant copies from Squadron Operations Record Books and Combat Reports, with a large photograph of the recipient loose inside the front cover of this book, taken from a group photograph of the recipient with his crew, 242 Squadron in French North Africa, November 1942 (Secretan front row, third from left).