Beschreibung:

The Second World War test pilot’s A.F.C., fighter ace’s D.F.M. group of eight awarded to Squadron Leader R. V. “Monty” Ellis, Royal Air Force, who as a Flight Sergeant in Hurricanes of No. 73 Squadron first saw action during the fall of France, when he was credited with arranging General de Gaulle’s flight to England: he afterwards shared in several victories in the Battle of Britain and downed three Ju. 87s in a single day over North Africa - all of which achievements are cited in the recommendation for his D.F.M. Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1946’; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (566445 F./Sgt. R. V. Ellis, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (Flt. Lt. R. V. Ellis, R.A.F.), contact marks, generally very fine or better (8) £16,000-18,000 Footnote A.F.C. London Gazette 1 January 1946. The original recommendation states: ‘Squadron Leader Ellis is the senior Royal Air Force test pilot at this firm (Vickers-Armstrong Ltd.). The success of the test flights, and the prompt delivery of aircraft to the service can be attributed to a large extent to the leadership and example of this officer.’ D.F.M. London Gazette 2 January 1942. The original recommendation states: ‘The above named airman has served with No. 73 Squadron since 6 June 1940, and has been on operations throughout and to date, both in France and Libya. The period is a long one, hazardous, arduous and with little respite at a time when every aircraft was in the air at all costs, meeting an enemy superior in numbers and facilities. France: actively engaged on defensive patrols with the B.E.F. Just prior to evacuation, whilst at Angiers collecting an aircraft on 14 June 1940, he was responsible for arranging with the pilot of a Rapide of No. 24 Squadron, the safe passage to England of General de Gaulle. General de Gaulle had, up to that time, little hope of getting to England on that day. The United Kingdom: during September 1940, he was actively engaged with his squadron during the Blitz. Aircraft credited to this airman are two Me. 109s, one Me. 110 and one He. 111 shot down over London. Libya: since November 1941, this pilot has aggregated operational flying hours over the areas where things were toughest, Sidi Barrani, Tobruk, Derna, Gazala, etc., during the period of the advance and again for the defence of Tobruk, during which time the squadron lost many pilots. In one raid on Tobruk on 14 April or 30 April 1941, by Ju. 87s with a mixed fighter escort, this pilot destroyed two Ju. 87s in one scramble by head-on attacks. He landed and took-off in another aircraft and downed a further Ju. 87 by a long burst from astern. His total for the day, three Ju. 87s. Sorties: total 186, mainly hazardous ground strafing of M.T. columns and aerodromes to stem the enemy advance from Benghazi. Included are frequent and long protective shipping patrols along the Libyan coastline. Hours: total 702, 302 hours operational. This pilot has served with fine distinction in a squadron which has only three original pilots left. He is temperamentally unaffected by these periods of warfare and losses. Flight Sergeant Ellis has retained both his skill and zest. In a recent call for volunteers to return to the Western Desert, he unhesitatingly asked to go. It was, however, felt that this pilot merited a rest from a unique record of devotion and skilful duty.’ Ronald Vernon “Monty” Ellis was born in February 1917 and was educated at Chatham Junior Technical School prior to entering the Royal Air Force as a Halton Apprentice in January 1933. Gaining selection for pilot training in the course of 1938, he attended No. 6 Operational Training Unit at Sutton Bridge in May 1940 and was ordered to France to join No. 73 Squadron at Raudin in the rank of Sergeant Pilot early in the following month. The Fall of France and the Battle of Britain