Lot 4288

Description

Group of Five. Distinguished Flying Cross (GVIR) 1945; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; British War Medal 1939-45; New Zealand War Service Medal. All unnamed. Very fine. $ Flying Officer Robert Ainslie Harper, RNZAF. D.F.C: 'As an experienced navigator with 109 missions to his credit in the combat area in the Pacific, Flying Officer Harper was a member of the first Squadron of the R.N.Z.A.F. to go into action against the Japanese in that zone. Throughout three tours of duty, he has displayed consistent qualities of gallantry, devotion to duty, coolness and determination and his conduct in general has been an inspiration to the crew of which he was a member. Flying originally in an unescorted patrol-bomber aircraft that made repeated sorties deep into enemy-held territory and was attacked by three Japanese fighters on two occasions, Flying Officer Harper achieved a record of gallant and devoted service, which has been enhanced on subsequent tours of duty. He has taken part in repeated strikes and patrols in the New Britain-New Ireland sector, and has completed 436 hours operational flying in the most forward areas, in addition to extensive patrols in other theatres of war'. Together with: observer's & air gunner's flying log book; commission as RNZAF Officer; identity card; record of service, photo album, as well as numerous other photographs of service life; letter to N.O.K. in relation to award of DFC; U.S. propaganda leaflets in Japanese; fifteen navigational charts of Bouganville; the Marshalls, Fiji, the Solomons & New Zealand; posting on discharge certificate; lodge jewel; uniform insignia including cap badges, metal & woven wings, buckles, buttons; and a pair of navigator's dividers.