Lot 5341

Description

Group of Eight: Distinguished Flying Cross (GVIR); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45 with MID; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. ’1941’ engraved on DFC, 380 J.R.Perrin on all remaining medals. Impressed. Very fine.

An important, rare and exciting WWII Ace’s DFC group. Perrin, John Rowley 0376 (380) Group Captain, DFC. Air Cadet 19Jul1938, General Duties 22Jun1939, Flying Officer 22Dec1939, Flt Lieut 01Jan1941, Sqn Ldr 01Apr1942, Wing Commd 01Dec1943, Grp Capt 01Jul1958, Appointment terminated 10Oct1968 on retirement at own request, Posting at Discharge, Department of Air. MID LG 24Sep1941 pg5573. DFC LG 01Apr1941 pg 2902 ’In February 1941, while leading a formation of 3 Hurricanes on patrol, this officer observed 9 Junkers 87 dive bombing and machine gunning near Mersa El Burg. He immediately called his flight by radio telephone but, failing to make himself understood, dived to the attack accompanied by only one of his section. They were immediately attacked by 15 Messerschmitt 110s and in the ensuing combat, Flight Lieutenant Perrin shot down a Junkers and a Messerschmitt before a cannon shell burst in his petrol tank covering him with petrol, setting his aircraft on fire and slightly wounding his right eye. Despite this he continued to attack another Messerschmitt at low level until his ammunition was expended. He then crash landed his aircraft. Throughout the engagement, this officer displayed outstanding leadership and courage in the face of greatly superior numbers of enemy forces’. DFC presented by His Majesty the King at Buckingham Palace, London, 27Feb1945. Perrin joined the RAAF in July 1938 and after completing his training in Victoria at Point Cook in July 1940 he embarked for Egypt as a Flying Officer with 3 Squadron. He damaged a CR.42 in December. Then while flying Gladiators. in February 1941 he shot down a Ju 87 and later a Bf 110 while flying a Hurricane V7757, however his plane was shot down in flames as he was attacking another Bf 110. Partly blinded in one eye and suffering from burns he crash landed. Perrin made a hundred yard dash to a group of trees as the Germans dived in twos and threes attempting to machine gun him. Later he was found by a forward patrol and taken to the drome at Benina. He was treated for his injuries in Tobruk. The hospital ship Perrin was evacuated on was sunk by an enemy plane but he survived this too. In April whilst flying a Hurricane P3967 he destroyed three Ju 87s over Bu Cassal. 3 Squadron changed to Tomahawks for the Syrian campaign in June. Perrin’s sixth and final confirmed kill was a Ju 88. Sometime after this he was posted back to Australia. During 1942 the 5 and 24 Wirraway Squadrons were under his command. In 1943 he was CO of 76 Squadron flying Kittyhawks from Milne Bay then from Goodenough Island. He became Deputy Director of Operations at RAAF HQ and during 1944-1946 was SASO RAAF HQ Overseas as Wing Commander. As Group Captain, Perrin held various command and staff appointments including Director of Air Staff Plans, Department of Air (1957), Services Advisor, New Delhi (1959), Director of Organisation, Department of Air (1962), The Superintendent, Woomera (1963) and with the Australian High Commission in Wellington, N.Z. (1964) to foster co-operation and liaison between the New Zealand and Australian Armed Forces. Together with Mentioned in Despatches award certificate 24Sep1941; Official Invitation to Wing Commander John R Perrin DFC for an Investiture at Buckingham Palace 27Feb1945; set of miniature medals and ribbon bar; Diploma from Air University, Air Command and Staff School, United States Air Force; numerous photographs and newspaper clippings, some contained in three albums, others loose.