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Lot Essay
Sold with the recipient's original Flying Log Book, covering the period December 1942 to July 1945; together with a fine array of original documents and photographs, the former including R.A.F. Service and Release Book, campaign award forwarding slips, wartime maps, R.C.A.F. New Testament, medical cards and much besides.
D.F.C. London Gazette 20.2.1945. Recommendation states 'On the night of 25-26 July 1944, Flying Officer Mead was Air-Bomber in a Halifax III detailed from this Squadron to attack the vital oil refinery at Wanne-Eickel in the heart of the Ruhr. Ten minutes from the target the aircraft ran into a belt of intense and accurate predicted flak. The aircraft was shaken by several near misses and then, just after Flying Officer Mead had commenced directions for the bombing run, a shell burst near the front of the aircraft, sending splinters through the nose and mid-upper turret and cutting the hydraulics. The explosion caused a momentary loss of control and the whole crew was severely shaken by the incident. As soon as the Pilot had recovered, however, Flying Officer Mead coolly resumed directions for attacking the target and with determination flew through the heaviest area of flak to place his bombs accurately. Throughout the whole of this incident, this Air- Bomber's air of confidence and cool courage was an inspiration to everyone in the aircraft.
Over Gelsenkirchen on the two daylight raids of 12 and 13 September 1944, his supreme confidence and complete disregard of his own safety, in the face of intense enemy fire, was notable. This was shown again on 9 June when he asked his Captain to dive to less than 3000 feet so that he could get below cloud to ensure perfect accuracy in his bombing of the railway yards of Laval.
It is recommended that this Officer's courage, determination and consistently excellent work throughout this tour of operations fully merit the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross'.
Flight Lieutenant John Kenneth Holmes Mead, D.F.C., was born in Valetta, Malta in July 1914 and originally enlisted in the Air Force Reserve (Special Reserve) as an A.C. 2 in March 1936 (Accompanying Certificate of Service refers), but was taken on the strength of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in December 1939. Commencing flying training as an Air-Bomber in December 1942, he was posted as a Flying Officer to No. 158 Squadron in April 1944, his first sortie being flown in a Halifax III against Acheres on the 30th of the month. Thus ensued a busy tour of duty which lasted until the following September, the majority of targets being in France. In all, Mead flew 38 sorties totalling in excess of 150 operational hours, highlights over and above the incidents referred to in his Recommendation being an attack on the Coastal Batteries at Maisy on 5.6.1944, followed by Chateaudun on D-Day itself. Several 'Doodle Bomb Sites' followed, in addition to a number of oil plants. Mead was finally released from the R.A.F.V.R. as a Flight Lieutenant in December 1945.
D.F.C. London Gazette 20.2.1945. Recommendation states 'On the night of 25-26 July 1944, Flying Officer Mead was Air-Bomber in a Halifax III detailed from this Squadron to attack the vital oil refinery at Wanne-Eickel in the heart of the Ruhr. Ten minutes from the target the aircraft ran into a belt of intense and accurate predicted flak. The aircraft was shaken by several near misses and then, just after Flying Officer Mead had commenced directions for the bombing run, a shell burst near the front of the aircraft, sending splinters through the nose and mid-upper turret and cutting the hydraulics. The explosion caused a momentary loss of control and the whole crew was severely shaken by the incident. As soon as the Pilot had recovered, however, Flying Officer Mead coolly resumed directions for attacking the target and with determination flew through the heaviest area of flak to place his bombs accurately. Throughout the whole of this incident, this Air- Bomber's air of confidence and cool courage was an inspiration to everyone in the aircraft.
Over Gelsenkirchen on the two daylight raids of 12 and 13 September 1944, his supreme confidence and complete disregard of his own safety, in the face of intense enemy fire, was notable. This was shown again on 9 June when he asked his Captain to dive to less than 3000 feet so that he could get below cloud to ensure perfect accuracy in his bombing of the railway yards of Laval.
It is recommended that this Officer's courage, determination and consistently excellent work throughout this tour of operations fully merit the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross'.
Flight Lieutenant John Kenneth Holmes Mead, D.F.C., was born in Valetta, Malta in July 1914 and originally enlisted in the Air Force Reserve (Special Reserve) as an A.C. 2 in March 1936 (Accompanying Certificate of Service refers), but was taken on the strength of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in December 1939. Commencing flying training as an Air-Bomber in December 1942, he was posted as a Flying Officer to No. 158 Squadron in April 1944, his first sortie being flown in a Halifax III against Acheres on the 30th of the month. Thus ensued a busy tour of duty which lasted until the following September, the majority of targets being in France. In all, Mead flew 38 sorties totalling in excess of 150 operational hours, highlights over and above the incidents referred to in his Recommendation being an attack on the Coastal Batteries at Maisy on 5.6.1944, followed by Chateaudun on D-Day itself. Several 'Doodle Bomb Sites' followed, in addition to a number of oil plants. Mead was finally released from the R.A.F.V.R. as a Flight Lieutenant in December 1945.