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An outstanding 1940 ‘Swordfish Observer’s’ D.S.M. group of four awarded to Warrant Air Officer (O), later Lieutenant-Commander, A. H. Marsh, 824 and 813 Squadrons, Fleet Air Arm, for his part in the devastating attack on Italian shipping in Bomba Bay, 23 August 1940. Flying in one of three Swordfish designated for the attack on 2 submarines, a depot ship and a destroyer, he and his pilot shared in the destruction of the Italian submarine Iride, and successfully torpedoed the Monte Gargano. In a matter of minutes the sub-flight left 3 of the 4 vessels blazing. Marsh was shot down during a raid on the Italian held airfield at Maritza, Rhodes, 4 September 1940. Having crash landed on a small island north of Rhodes, Marsh and his crew acquired a rowing boat and attempted to sail the 12 miles to the Turkish coast - they were spotted by a Flying Boat and intercepted 2 miles short of their goal by an Italian M.T.B. Marsh was a P.O.W. in Italy for three years before making good his escape through German positions three days after Italy had surrendered Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (FX.76331 A. H. Marsh. P.O. R.N.) largely officially re-impressed; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for wear, generally nearly very fine or better (4) £3000-4000 Footnote D.S.M. London Gazette 14 January 1941: ‘For courage, skill and enterprise in an attack on Italian warships.’ Seedies Roll gives ‘For a torpedo attack by Swordfish aircraft on El Gazala on 23 August 1940.’ Alfred Henry Marsh was born in Andover, Hampshire, in October 1915, and was educated at Andover Grammar School. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in March 1932, and advanced to Leading Seaman in 1937. Marsh transferred to the Fleet Air Arm in May of the same year, was confirmed as Air Gunner in October, and was appointed Leading Airman in August 1939. He served at H.M.S. Peregrine September 1939 - February 1940, during which time he advanced to Acting Petty Officer Airman. He served with H.M.S. Orion (cruiser), February - June 1940. She was originally equipped with a Fairey Seafox which was subsequently replaced by a Walrus, and during Marsh’s period of service she transferred to the Mediterranean. He was confirmed as an Observer in July 1940, and subsequent Second War service included with H.M. ships Liverpool and Eagle. He served as part of 824 Squadron (Swordfish) with H.M.S. Eagle (aircraft carrier) in the Mediterranean. He was crewed with Lieutenant (A) J. W. G. Wellham, R.N., and forged a successful partnership with his pilot. The Squadron received intelligence of four Italian ships being present in Bomba Bay, Libya, and as a consequence dispatched three Swordfish to attack the target. The sub-flight under the command of Captain O. Patch, R.M., took off from Sidi Barrani (having refuelled there) on the morning of 23 August 1940. The Italian ships comprised of two submarines, a destroyer and a depot ship. Wellham’s combat report gives the following details on the raid which accounted for the destruction of, or serious damage to, 4 ships with 3 torpedoes and machine gun fire: ‘The target was approached in open vic formation from the North-west at a height of 30 feet. The first ship to come within range was a submarine which appeared to be charging her batteries on the surface, about 4 miles from shore. I observed Captain Patch preparing to attack this ship, so broke away from the formation and passed the submarine on my starboard side. She was firing with twin machine guns, one forward and one aft on the conning tower. They appeared, from the size of the bullets, to be .5” Petty Officer Marsh opened fire with his Lewis gun. A few seconds later the submarine [the Iride] blew up, leaving only a small fraction of the stern above the surface [the explosion was primarily caused by Patch’s torpedo]. We were now under fire of 4” H.A. from the depot ship [Monte Gargano] which was lying about 3 miles inshore of the submarine. As we closed this ship it be