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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 396

The 'Tail End Charlie's' D.F.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant R. A. Norcross, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who downed a FW.109 over Hungary

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1589610 Sgt. R. A. Norcross. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted court-style for wear, minor pitting, very fine (6)

D.F.M. London Gazette 7 July 1944, the original recommendation states:

'Sergeant Norcross was posted to this unit in November 1943, and has completed 20 Operational sorties over Italy, Yugo Slavia, Austria and Bulgaria.

2. Sergeant Norcross is the rear gunner in a crew which has already carried out many successful operational sorties, and has achieved a high standard of crew co-operation. He is a keen and efficient Air Gunner, and had the complete confidence of his captain and the other members of the crew.

3. On the night of 3rd April 1944, Sergeant Norcross had an opportunity of proving his alertness and efficiency when his aircraft had been ordered to attack the [M]anfred Weiss Works at Budapest. Shortly after leaving the target, two enemy aircraft were encountered. One of these aircraft, identified as a FW.190, fired a short burst of tracer at the Wellington, which turned to starboard. The enemy aircraft then continued its course, and passed approximately 20 feet under the Wellington's port Wing. Sergeant Norcross had been told over the intercom. that the FW.190 was "coming up on port at 300 yards 8 o'clock". He fired a three second burst with the FW.190 dead in his sights, and saw it burst into a blue white flame, descending then in a vertical dive. Several other Wellington crews saw the enemy aircraft crash, and Group have officially admitted the claim of one FW.190 destroyed.

4. The above incident well illustrates the alertness and efficiency which Sergeant Norcross has displayed in all his operations. His action was typical of the manner in which he invariably carries out his work, and it is submitted that he well deserves the immediate recognition, which is strongly recommended.'

Ronald Albert Norcross was serving with No. 37 Squadron based in Southern Italy when he won his award. They completed a number of missions from that region, notably helping to supply the Yugoslavian Partisans resisting German occupation and disrupting their supply routes to the Eastern Front.

He was notably present on a raid on 20 January 1944 over the Cecina Railway Bridge in Tuscany. The raid was largely successful except for Norcross' own aircraft, commanded by Flying Officer Stanton, the Squadron Operations book notes:

'F/O Stanton in "V" collided with another aircraft ("A" - F/Sgt. Kelly) over the target area but neither aircraft sustained very serious damage.'

Despite this Norcross's Wellington found the bombing mechanism damaged, leaving them unable to complete the attack. During the attack over the Manfried Weiss works several months later fifteen Wellington's targeted Budapest to good effect but encountered heavy resistance as the Operations Book makes clear, stating:

'The target was well defended, both from the ground and in the air, and moderate to intense H.A.A., and intense L.A.A., with "flaming onions" and 15-20 searchlights were reported. Several enemy fighters were seen in the target area, and one aircraft, captained by F/O Stanton, shot down a FW.190 over the target.'

The official recommendation was seconded by The Officer Commanding No. 231 Wing who added his own opinion, stating:

'I consider that the coolness and courage displayed by this N.C.O. was largely responsible not only for the destruction of an enemy aircraft but also for his own crew's and the aircraft's safe return to base.'

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Estimate
£1,200 to £1,600

Starting price
£950