Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An unusual Second World War A.F.C. group of five awarded to Wing Commander P. R. May, Royal Air Force, who was killed in action on glider-towing operations over Sicily in July 1943: he had previously served in the Chinese Air Force and been awarded a ‘gold medal’

Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1941’; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; U.S.A. Distinguished Flying Cross, unnamed, the first lacquered, good very fine and better (5) £1200-1500

A.F.C. London Gazette 1 April 1941. The original recommendation states: ‘This officer has completed 4,777 hours flying during the period of 11 years, of which 360 hours have been flown during the past 12 months. During his employment as Chief Flying Instructor, and now as Commanding Officer, Wing Commander May has shown great energy and initiative in the control of both the flying and ground instruction. It is primarily due to his leadership that training is so successful at the school [No. 22 Elementary Flying Training School].’

American D.F.C. General Order No. 58, H.Q., 12th Air Force. The citation states: ‘For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the North African Theatre of Operations as a glider pilot. Serving as a Squadron Commander during the airborne operations in the Sicilian campaign, Wing Commander May has distinguished himself through his outstanding leadership and unfailing devotion to duty. Resourceful in emergency and courageous in combat, he has set an example which has been of high inspiration to all who have served under him. His consistent efficiency in discharging his responsibilities reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United Nations.’

Peter Rodriguez May was killed in action on 13 July 1943, while serving in No. 296 Squadron, one of the glider-towing units employed in “Operation Fustian”, the second airborne armada to be launched against Sicily. While the citation for his American D.F.C. states that he was a glider pilot, it seems more likely that he was piloting one of his squadron’s Albemarle aircraft. The main objective of “Fustian” was to deliver glider-borne troops to Primosole bridge, which, if taken, and held, would assist the advance of Allied ground forces into the north-east of Sicily. As with the earlier airborne operation of 9 July, however, casualties were high, quite a few aircraft failing to reach their release points and very few gliders reaching their intended LZs, not perhaps altogether surprising in lieu of the Albemarles “sitting duck” towing speed of 125 m.p.h. Alan Wood’s The Glider Soldiers takes up the story:
‘However as the airborne fleet approached Cape Passaro, Sicily, some Allied ships opened fire on them. Some of the aircraft, thought to be a least thirty-three, had been flown off course into the danger anti-aircraft fire zone (Later enquiries revealed that some thirty aircraft had been fired on by Allied naval ships in an area between eight and twenty-three miles off the invasion coast).
Two aircraft were shot down by Allied naval ships and a further nine had to turn back due to damage and injuries. Another six aircraft turned back to base - the pilots later said that they had been so instructed by their Squadron Commander.
The remainder flew on encountering enemy flak between Syracuse and Catania. Nine paratroop aircraft were shot down but most managed to drop their troops. Four of the nine managed to ditch in the sea. Three glider towing aircraft went missing, believed shot down. Fourteen aircraft in total were shot down, another thirty-four were damaged and one was destroyed by striking the cable of a barrage balloon.’

May, the son of John and Christiana May of Parkstone, Dorset, was 35 years of age, and left a widow, Doreen - he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Malta Memorial. His entry in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission register also reveals that he had earlier served in the Chinese Air Force and been awarded a ‘gold medal’. Sold with original Air Council condolence slip in the name of ‘Wing Commander P. R. May, A.F.C.’, a signed “True Extract” copy of the citation for his American D.F.C., dated 1 Oct 1943; and an official U.S. Forces envelope, date stamped 15 May 1945, and addressed to the recipent’s widow, ‘Mrs. D. M. May, The Manor House, Little Wilbraham, Cambridge’, in which may well have been forwarded a communciation regarding the presentation of her husband’s American D.F.C.