Lot Essay
D.F.M. London Gazette 13.4.1945. Recommendation states 'This Air Gunner has completed 44 sorties against the enemy and is now engaged on his second tour of operational duty. His outstanding ability and cheerfulness have been an inspiration to his crew and in the face of extreme danger he has displayed gallantry of a high order.'
Flight Sergeant Walter Henry Hitchcock, D.F.M., was serving with No. 635 Squadron at the time of the above award, which unit formed part of No. 8 Path Finder Force, Bomber Command. Posted to the Squadron in early 1944, he went on to complete 200 hours of operational flying by the time of his Recommendation in late January 1945, his targets including a wide range of heavily defended German cities in addition to a number of French locations in support of the Normandy offensive throughout June and July 1944.
Flight Sergeant Walter Henry Hitchcock, D.F.M., was serving with No. 635 Squadron at the time of the above award, which unit formed part of No. 8 Path Finder Force, Bomber Command. Posted to the Squadron in early 1944, he went on to complete 200 hours of operational flying by the time of his Recommendation in late January 1945, his targets including a wide range of heavily defended German cities in addition to a number of French locations in support of the Normandy offensive throughout June and July 1944.