Original WW2 RAF Flying Overalls, Helmet with mask, Flying Log Book, Medals Set - Air Gunner F G CROFT
He flew 23 operational bombing missions as an Air Gunner in 37 Sqn in Liberator aircraft over Italy, Austria, Jugoslavia between Feb and April 1945, totalling 105 operational hours out of a total of 161 hours.
The set consists of
- WW2 Flying log book with 26 operational missions
- WW2 Flying Overalls named to Croft
- WW2 Type C leather Flying helmet with wiring and Type x oxygen mask
- WW2 RAF spectacles in their original tin
Plus his personal collection consisting of
- WW2 1939-45 star
- WW2 Italy Star
- WW2 War medal
- WW2 Defence medal
- WW2 miniature medal set for the above
- 2 x fabric medal ribbon bars
- Air Gunner brevet
- 2 x brass RAF cap badges
- his dog tag
- his navigation chart compass
- an RAF brass buttons
- 2 x RAF association lapel badges
Plus a group of other items
The Flying Suit is named to Croft sand coloured with zipped cuffs on both arms and legs (both legs zips not functioning). Also side zips (one not functioning)
Buttons to the front, with 2 missing around the waist though this is not visible.
The leather Flying helmet is Type C.
the oxygen mask is missing fastenings
Flying book summary :
- dated between 4th August 1943 and 19th June 1945.
- he started flying in August 1943 in DH Dominie aircraft, attending No.2 Radio School at RAF Yatesbury
- then No.11 Radio School at Hooton Park from 23rd December 1943 until 26th January 1944
- then 75 OTU (Operational Training Unit) at Gianaclis in Egypt from 19th June 1944 to 25th August 1944
- He then was attached to 27 Sqn South African Airforce (a maritime patrol squadron) in Oct-Nov 1944
- He then joined 37 Sqn at Tortorella Airfield, Foggia in February 1945 where he started on his operational missions
His missions are summarised as
|
Date
|
Aircraft
|
Pilot
|
Place
|
Duty / commentary
|
|
13/2/45
|
Liberator C KK246
|
F/O Johnson
|
GRAZ
|
Bombed marshling yards at Graz. Hits observed. Bomb load 8000lbs Two S/E enemy A/C encountered Opposition:- Med Q Ack-Ack
|
|
16/2/45
|
Liberator C KK246
|
F/O Johnson
|
FIUME
|
Bombed harbour installations at Fiume. Bomb load 8000lbs Opposition:- Heavy inaccurate flack. fighter escort of P38s
|
|
21/2/45
|
Liberator C KK246
|
F/O Johnson
|
POLA
|
Bombed naval armament installations at Pola. Bomb load 9000lbs Hits observed. Opposition:- Heavy accurate flack
|
|
24/2/45
|
Liberator G
|
F/O Johnson
|
VERONA
|
Dropped 5,000lbs of incendiarys on marshling yards at Verona West. Opposition - mod heavy flack
|
|
25/2/45
|
Liberator G
|
F/O Johnson
|
NW JUGOSLAVIA
|
Dropped 12 300lb containers in NW Jugoslavia to Partisans. No opposition
|
|
1/3/45
|
Liberator C KK246 |
F/O Johnson
|
ARSA CHANEL
|
Briefed to bomb coaling wharf at Arsa Chanel. Bomb load 6000lbs. DNCO. 10/10th cloud over target. No opposition
|
|
3/3/45
|
Liberator C KK264
|
F/O Johnson
|
POLA HARBOUR
|
Bombed harbour installations and naval works on island in Pola harbour. B.L. 9000lbs. Opposition : medq heavy flack
|
|
5/3/45
|
Liberator C KK246
|
F/O Johnson
|
GRAZ
|
Bombed marshling yards at Graz. B.L. 9000lbs. Opposition:- Med Q heavy flack
|
|
9/3/45
|
Liberator C KK246
|
F/O Johnson
|
VERONA
|
Bombed Verona Parona bridge. Bomb load 9000lbs. Opposition : med flak
|
|
15/3/45
|
Liberator F |
F/Lt Johnson
|
JUGOSLAVIA
|
Dropped 12 x 500lb supply containers to Partisans.
|
|
18/3/45
|
Liberator B
|
F/Lt Johnson
|
VICENZA
|
Bombed m/yrds at Vicenza. Bomb load 9000lbs. Opposition slight med & heavy flak
|
|
20/3/45
|
Liberator B
|
F/Lt Johnson
|
PRAGERSKO
|
Bombed m/yrds at Pragersko. Bomb load 6000lbs Opposition : med flak
|
|
22/3/45
|
Liberator D
|
F/Lt Johnson |
VILLACH
|
Bombed m/yrds at Villach. Bomb load 7000lbs. Opposition : mod: heavy accurate flak
|
|
23/3/45
|
Liberator H
|
W/O Kelly
|
ST VEIT
|
Bombed St Veit m/yrds. Bomb load 6000lbs of incendiarys. Opposition mod: med & heavy flak
|
|
26/3/45
|
Liberator H
|
F/Lt Johnson
|
VILLACH
|
Bombed m/yrds at Villach. Bomb load 7000lbs. Opposition : mod: heavy accurate flak
|
|
31/3/45
|
Liberator H
|
F/Sgt Old
|
GRAZ
|
Bombed marshling yards at Graz. B.L. 9000lbs. Opposition:- Med Q heavy flack
|
|
2/4/45
|
Liberator G KK230
|
F/Lt Johnson
|
TRENTO
|
Bombed marshling yards at Trento. Cloud 8/10th over target. Bomb load 6000lbs. Opposition:- heavy flack along route. 2 E/A observed 1 FW 190 decoy and one other single en A/C
|
|
4/4/45
|
Liberator K KK317
|
F/Lt Johnson
|
BRESCIA
|
Dropped 6000lbs of incendiary bombs on m/yds at Brescia. Opposition : Light flak Int/A One search light in T/A
|
|
8/4/45
|
Liberator Q KK277
|
F/Lt Johnson
|
TRENTO
|
Bombed marshling yards at Trento. Bomb load 6000lbs. Opposition:- mod accurate flak Fighters active
|
|
11/4/45
|
Liberator G
|
F/Lt Johnson
|
BASTIA
|
Bombed road and rail communications & German troops at Bastia, aiding 8th Army. Bomb load 6000lbs. Opposition: Nil. One engine U/S on return
|
|
16/4/45
|
Liberator F
|
F/Lt Johnson
|
CASALECCHIO
|
Bombed road, rail bridge & communications at Caselecchio, in support of 5th Army. Opposition: Nil.
|
|
17/4/45
|
Liberator A
|
F/Lt Johnson
|
PORTOMAGGIORE
|
Bomber troop concentrations & dumps at Portomaggiore in support of 8th Army. Bomb load 8000lbs
|
|
20/4/45
|
Liberator F KK309
|
F/Lt Johnson
|
VERONA-PARONA BRIDGE
|
Bombed Verona-Parona Bridge. Bomb load 7000lbs. Opposition:- Mod heavy flack fighter active
|
