Description
A D.F.C. group of eight, awarded to Wing Commander Paul Michael John Evans, who saw action in Malta commanding 89 (Night Fighter) Squadron Detachment and bombed Tripoli four days before its capture by the Allies; later commanding 239 Squadron operating over Germany, comprising:- Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1943'; India General Service Medal, 1936-39 (P/O P. M. J. Evans. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star, clasp North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals; Netherlands, Order of Orange Nassau, Officer's Badge, with swords. Very fine. (8)
D.F.C., London Gazette, 25 May, 1943: Recommendation (Flight, 8th July, 1943), Sqn. Ldr. P. M. J. Evans, No. 89 Sqn. This officer has completed 16 sorties from Malta, during which he has destroyed one enemy aircraft and attacked enemy shipping, airfields and transport. One night in January, 1943, he made a highly successful intruder patrol in Tripoli, bombing lorries and attacking road transport with cannon and machine-gun fire and causing numerous fires. Light anti-aircraft fire damaged the aircraft, severing the hydraulics pipe and severely wounding the observer. Despite this, Sqn. Ldr. Evans landed his aircraft, causing negligible damage. This landing was made at night and off the runway, thus ensuring continuous operations from base.
Order of Orange Nassau, 7 May, 1947: Wing Commander P. M. J. Evans. "For his important services to the Netherlands Air Transport Services. Commander of the R.A.F. Station at Croydon from which airport the air service between England and the Netherlands was maintained during the liberation of the Netherlands". In 1944 Croydon had become the base of RAF Transport Command.
Sold with:
Pilot's Log Book: 1 December, 1937 - 23 September, 1942. Early entries flying Hawker Audax then Hawker Hart in India. On return to UK, training flights in Harvard; first flying Blenheims in July '41; Flying Beaufighter to Egypt, via Malta, Nov '41; May 1-10, 1942, "First Beau across Africa"; 11 June, '42, first "Scramble"; 26 June, '42 "1 SM 79 Destroyed"; 14 August to Luqa, Malta and from 24 August 89 Sqdn Detachment, Luga, Malta. Book ends 23 Sept, 1942 . The Log Book for the period of the DFC was "lost in North Africa".
Pilot's Log Book: 1 October, 1943 - 17 October, 1945. Mostly flying Mosquito, 27 June, '44 "Northern France. 1 FW 190 Destroyed"; 30 June, '44 "Eindhoven - Aachen. Scared by Navigator. Ha
Ha
"; 7 July, '44 "Northern France vis ME 110 Boo
1 FW 190 Destroyed. Hurray
"; 20 July, '44 "Homburg. Lots of fun
But no joy".
Warrant of Appointment as Acting Pilot Officer, in the name of Edward VIII (with facsimile signature), 4th May, 1936.
Order of Orange Nassau, Official Citation, with translation supplied later and booklet relating.
A small number of letters with information relating to his service.
"Claim for Campaign Stars" typed form on which service locations and dates are given:-
1939-45 Star:- July '41 - Nov. '41 600 Sqdn & 69 Sqdn Colerne; Sept '43 - Sept 44 Defence of Bristol and West Country: Africa Star:- Malta, July '42 - Apr '43. M.N.F.U. [Malta Night Fighter Unit], Clasp to Africa Star:- Malta, July '42 - Apr '43. M.N.F.U., 19.1.43 Over Tripoli: Air Crew Europe Star:- 239 Sqdn. West Raynham. Sept '43 - Sept '44; Berlin 24.3.44 (Log Book confirms 24 March, "Berlin. 1 chase 25 min. 1 vis Halifax": France and Germany Star:- 239 Sqdn. West Raynham. Sept '43 - Sept '44; 267.6.45 - 1 FW Destroyed over N. France: Defence Medal:- Training Cmd, Sept '39 - July '41; Staff Officer, HQFC, April '43 - Sept - '44; Non-Op in England, Sept '44 - May ' 45.
Evans was appointed Flight Lieutenant, 25 June, 1940 (LG 28 June 1940)