1944 Hague raid on Gestapo HQ by 613 Sqn, Mosquito pilot's 1...

Estimate

£3,500 - £3,500

1944 Hague raid on Gestapo HQ by 613 Sqn, Mosquito pilot's 1962 OBE (Mil), WW2 Distinguished Flying Cross (1944) and bar (1944), 1939-1945, Air Crew Europe (France and Germany bar) Stars, Defence Medal and BWM attributed to Wing Commander Charles William McNab Newman good very fine and better, swing mounted as worn.
His DFC was announced in the London Gazette dated 28th April 1944 flying with No 613 Sqn, "This officer has completed very many sorties and has invariably displayed great courage and resolution. In April 1944, Squadron Leader Newman participated in an attack on a target in Holland. The operation called for a high degree of skill and this officer played a worthy part in the success achieved. He has rendered most valuable service." This raid was a low level attack on the Hague Gestapo HQ.
In mid-December 1943, London received a request from the Dutch Resistance to attack and destroy the Gestapo HQ in the Hague. In WW2 the Gestapo took over the 5 story building Kleykamp Art Gallery in the centre of the Hague. the Gestapo used it to store the Dutch population central registry and duplicate of all legally issued Dutch ID papers, so that ID cards falsified by the Dutch Resistance could be checked against and identified as forgeries. On 11th April 1944, 6 Mosquitos from 613 Sqn led by Wing Comdr 'Bob' Bateson attacked and completely destroyed the building in a daring low level daylight raid, resulting in the destruction of the building and some of the records. The first 2 planes dropped 500lb HE bombs to open up the building and the others carried incendiary bombs to burn the contents. The Air Ministry described it at the time as "probably the most brilliant feet of low level precision bombing in the war." Bateson's DSO was announced in the same London Gazette.
Newman's DFC Bar was announced in the London Gazette dated 1st December 1944, "Since the invasion of Northern France, Wing Commander Newman has participated in very many sorties, involving attacks on a wide range of attacks in the battle area. Throughout, this officer has continued to display a high degree of skill and courage, qualities which have contributed much to the successes obtained."
His OBE was announced in the London Gazette dated 2nd June 1962.
With some copied research, No 613 Sqn flew their first Mosquito operation 31/12/43 in an attack on a V1 site in Northern France. In 1944-45 they flew mainly night tactical operations against targets in France, as well as daylight precision raids on high security targets, the most notable of these being the attack on the Gestapo HQ at The Hague in April 1944 and the SS barracks at Egletons in August. Copied information on the Hague raid confirms him as the pilot of Mosquito NS844 in the raid.
With original OBE bestowal document in envelope addressed to Wing Commander Charles W. McN Newman O.B.E. D.F.C. RAF HQ Eastern Command and named Chancery letter of transmission, large photo of C Sqn RAF College Cranwell. With 2 sets of good quality miniatures, 1 set is prior to the award of the OBE.
He was commissioned from Cranwell 30/7/38, promoted Fg Off 30/1/40, Flt Lt 30/1/41, Sqn Ldr 1/3/42, Wg Cdr 1/1/50, retired 2/12/64. (See Lot 612 for gold watch presented to him in Kabul in 1941) (See photo) (B)