Beschreibung:

A Second War 1943 Wellington and Lancaster Rear Gunner’s D.F.C., and rare Netherlands Bronze Cross for Arnhem group of six awarded to Gunnery Leader Flight Lieutenant W. R. ‘Bob’ Chalk, Royal Air Force. His first operational sortie was the first 1,000 Bomber Raid to Cologne, 30 May 1942, followed two days later by a trip to Essen, when he shot down a night fighter. Having flown in the daylight raids to Le Creusot and Milan Chalk undertook Special Operations with 299 Squadron to S.O.E. and S.A.S. operatives in Northern France, August 1944. He flew as Gunnery Leader for 299 Squadron with Wing Commander P. B. N. Davis for Operation Market, and was shot down and taken prisoner of war over Arnhem, 19 September 1944 Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1943’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. Oak Leaf; Netherlands, Kingdom, Bronze Cross, with Caterpillar Club badge, in gold with ´ruby´ eyes, reverse engraved ´F/Lt. W.R. Chalk´, generally good very fine (lot) £4000-5000 Footnote Provenance: Spink, April 2010. D.F.C. London Gazette 15 June 1943, the Recommendation, dated 27.4.1943, states: ‘This Officer has set the highest possible standard by his ability and efficiency throughout an operational tour of 23 sorties. His conduct throughout has been outstanding and all gunners in the Squadron have been influenced by his fine example. His operations have included two attacks on Berlin and many against other heavily defended targets in the Ruhr. He also took part in the famous daylight attacks on Le Creusot and Milan. On his second operational sortie his accurate fire commentary enabled his pilot to manoeuvre the aircraft and thus allow this Officer to destroy an enemy night fighter. On every one of his sorties he has shown the same high degree of skill and co-operation with the rest of his crew. He is strongly recommended for the award of the D.F.C.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1942. Netherlands, Bronze Cross London Gazette 2 September 1949, the Recommendation, dated 2.11.1945, states: ‘Whilst on this Squadron F/Lt. Chalk proved himself a brilliant leader, and welded his gunners into a highly efficient team. He took part in a number of sorties in support of resistance movements. In September, 1944, he flew as gunner on the leading aircraft engaged in the Airborne Operations at Arnhem. His persistence and courage in the face of fierce enemy opposition set a fine example to his comrades in the Squadron. Whilst engaged in a re-supply mission to Arnhem, his aircraft was severely damaged by flak and set on fire. In spite of this, F/Lt. Chalk continued firing on the enemy ground positions until finally ordered to abandon aircraft by his captain. He landed amongst the enemy and was taken prisoner. For his high example of courage and determination in the face of the enemy F/Lt. Chalk well merits the award of the Bronze Cross.’ William Robert ´Bob´ Chalk was born in Porthcawl, Glamorgan, in 1913. He was educated at Claysmore School, Winchester, and was articled to a firm of auctioneers in Bromsgrove. He left the firm shortly after joining, and having been turned down for a commission in the R.A.F. on medical grounds Chalk emigrated aged 17 to Nova Scotia. Whilst in Canada Chalk had a farming accident, as a result of which he broke his arm and suffered lung damage. He was forced to return to the UK, and subsequently enlisted in the Royal Air Force in June 1935. After training and a brief posting to 101 Squadron Chalk was sent overseas to Air H.Q., Signals Section, Habbaniya, Iraq, in 1938. He was present during the Iraqi uprising, 30 April 1941 - 31 May 1941, and once the latter had been put down Chalk volunteered for Aircrew training as an Air Gunner. He was posted to No. 24 Combined Air Observer/Air Gunner School, Moffat, in August 1941, and was commissioned Pilot Officer in December of the same year. After several more training courses Chalk was p