An outstanding second world war DFC, DFM (immediate award) double gallantry group to 1062621 Flying Officer Willia Kenneth Dunn, 115 and 40 Squadron, Royal Air Force. 

Distinguished Flying Cross (Dated 1944) unnamed as issued 
George VI Distinguished Flying Medal named to 1062621 Sgt. W.K. Dunn. R.A.F. 
1939-45 Star unnamed as issued 
Air Crew Europe Star unnamed as issued 
Italy Star unnamed as issued 
WW2 Defence Medal unnamed as issued 
War Medal 1939-45 unnamed as issued 

D.F.M.: London Gazette – 22/09/1942
Sergeant, No. 115 Sqn. Sorties 33, Flying Hours 186.25.  Pilot. 
 ‘Sergeant Dunn was Captain of Wellington aircraft X.3464 which was detailed to attack Bremen on the night of 29th/30th June, 1942. On the return flight, having successfully bombed his objective, Sergeant Dunn’s aircraft was attacked by a Me.110 in the vicinity of Groningen. At the time, the aircraft was flying at 11,000 feet in conditions of clear sky and bright moon. No fewer than seven separate attacks were delivered with cannon and machine gun fire, the first of which rendered both front and rear turrets unserviceable. By clear reasoned thinking, Sergeant Dunn to suitable evasive action which not only detracted from the effectiveness of the attack but also presented his front and rear gunners with a target they could engage by using their turrets under manual operation. The engagement was finally broken off at 1,500 feet over the North Sea. Sergeant Dunn then took stock of the position and found the majority of the instruments had ceased to function, the hydraulic system was u/s, the undercarriage and bomb doors hanging down and the starboard petrol tanks holed and it was necessary to pump a gallon of oil to the starboard engine every half hour in order to maintain the oil pressure. The flight to Base was successfully accomplished and, having locked his undercarriage by means of the emergency system, Sergeant Dunn came in to make a perfect landing with airspeed indicator not working. This is but one example of the high standard which Sergeant Dunn has set himself. Throughout his operational tour, his handling of his crew has been exemplary and his dogged determination and courage has not only produced a crew of outstanding merit but has set a standard within the squadron that few have equalled.’ 

D.F.C.:  London Gazette – 25th August 1944
 Flying Officer Dunn has proved himself an outstanding aircraft captain and one who has completed all his allotted tasks with extreme thoroughness. On one occasion, he undertook a daylight attack to aid the Yugoslav partisan forces. This attack was very successful, and Flying Officer Dunn obtained some fine photographs. He also took part in an effective operation against an enemy aircraft factory at Reggio Emilio. On both these tours of operational duty he displayed outstanding skill and courage against heavily defended targets.’ 

The group comes with his two log books, two rice paper maps, newspaper cuttings, his personal notes on his wartime experiences in Bomber Command and in Middle East Air Force, a number of original photographs including a photograph showing some of the damage to the Wellington aircraft that he managed to land safely for his DFM award and some photos and correspondence in later life when he assisted the BBC on a tv programme relating to a lost aircraft from his squadron. He is photographed with the local resistance leader for the programme and there are several letters in French between the two with the group.

The medals are in good condition. The DFC is with the original case of issue and is mounted for wear. The DFM is mounted for wear and the WW2 campaign medals are swing mounted together. 

Operations:

20 October 1941: First bombings

Nov 7 1941: First German operation, Berlin 7 Nov

November 24 1941: Instrument flying

Op to Essen 8 March, then Le Havre, Dortmund, Cologne, Lubeck

April 17 1942: Engine and equipment failure.

May 2. 0422 hrs: Mine laying.

May 30. St Nazaire, 1000 plane raid on Cologne.

June 01:1000 plane raid on Essen.

June 06: 4000lb bomb to Emden.

July 11. 0513 hrs: Mine laying. Baltic.

August 01: Training others

December 21: Flew Anson.

January 17 1943: 0762hrs: Flew Whitley with cine camera gun.

April 02: Halifax.

April 23: Low level bombing Whitley.

Link trainer 31 hrs

Nov 13.1314hrs: Commenced operations in N Africa.

Bombed planes on Rome Campiano.

31 Dec: Based at Foggia, Italy.

April 3 1944. 1463 hrs: Flew Dakota.

May 14. 1452 hrs: Bombed Simiane la Rotonde. Subsequently revisited and filmed by BBC.

Returned to UK via Liberator

Nov 24. 1654 hrs: Training pilots on Proctor.