A SECOND WORLD WAR GROUP OF SEVEN TO SQUADRON LEADER REED A ...

Estimate

£1,000 - £1,500

A SECOND WORLD WAR GROUP OF SEVEN TO SQUADRON LEADER REED A DECORATED NAVIGATOR WHO TOOK PART IN THE FIRST TWO THOUSAND BOMBER RAIDS. A group of seven comprising OBE on second type military ribbon, 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence and War Medals, all unnamed as issued, George VI General Service Medal 1918-62 with Malaya clasp named to Sqn Ldr F.E. Reed RAF, and George VI Air Efficiency Award named to Act Sqd Ldr F.E. Reed R.A.F. Mounted as worn. With Royal Mint box for O.B.E. and Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book.
F.E. Reed's Log Book begins in June 1940 recording Reed as Leading Air Crew 751852 and a qualified Air Observer having enlisted in the REF Volunteer Reserve as a pilot in January 1937. He eventually clocked up over 1,000 hours of flying time including what appear to be 31 operational flights against the enemy. Flying in Wellingtons (DV509) and Stirlings (U9356) with operations over Cologne, Essen, Hamburg, Dortmund, Kiel, Rostock, Bremen and other locations, the comments add details such as 'Blitz' and 'Chased by ME110 Out to Sea' and 'Hot Reception'. Reed took part in the 'Thousand Bomber Rads', the first on the 30th May 1942 'Cologne (Blitz) Firrst 1000 aircraft raid), again on the 1st June 1942 'Operations - Essen. 1000 Aircraft Blitz' and in the air again on the 25th 'Operations-Bremen' when U R 9356 had difficulties ' Wheels would not retract, or A/C climb, bomb dropped in sea & petrol jettisoned'. Some raids are recorded as successful 'Bombed Schiphol Aerodrome: Direct Hit' on the 7th June, others were hampered by mechanical or other difficulties 'Vegetables brought back' on the 7th June suggesting bombs were not dropped on that occasion. After 31 'trips' Reed seems to have reached the end of his tour and the remaining entries are largely described as 'Instructional'.
With a photograph of the recipient with what is presumably 214 Squadron before a Stirling Bomber.

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As worn. Good condition and patination to medals, ribbons slightly grubby.