MF2 Augsburg Raid Nettleton VC RAF cover signed DOWTY Start Price GBP 9.00 Current Price GBP 9.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, November 04, 2008 End Time Thursday, December 04, 2008 Location Croydon See more about 'MF2 Augsburg Raid Nettleton VC RAF cover signed DOWTY' Description Welcome to an Aviation Collectables item .... About MF2 - 60th Anniversary of the Augsburg Raid cover signed by Warrant Officer Bert Dowty, who took part in the raid and was shot down and taken POW To mark the 60th Anniversary of this daring daylight raid on the MAN Factory at Augsburg, which was supplying the diesel engines for the German U-boat fleet, a stunning commemorative cover has been produced. The cover artwork shows the Waddington based No 44 Squadron Lancaster R5508, ‘KM-B’ which Squadron Leader John Nettleton flew on the raid and whose courage and devotion to duty won him the Victoria Cross, the scene below shows the Lancaster L7573, ‘OF-K’ being ‘bombed up’ at Woodhall Spa with the four 1,000 lb high explosives, on the raid this aircraft was flown by Squadron Leader J.S. Sherwood DFC, who having led the 97 squadron contingent and bombed the factory was shot down moments later. The raid called for the bravest of aircrew as the target was over 1,000 miles from England and to make matters worse the raid was to take place in broad daylight with no fighter escort, flying at less than 250ft in order to avoid enemy radar. Despite a diversionary raid to draw the German fighters away from the intended target and route, the six 44 Squadron Lancasters were savaged by Bf 109s and FW 190s returning home to their airfield. Only two of No 44 Squadron’s Lancasters made it to the target and only Nettleton’s aircraft made it back across the channel. The No 97 Squadron Lancasters all made it to the target, but two were shot down over the target. In all seven of the twelve Lancasters that took part failed to return and 49 out of the 85 airmen who took part were posted as ‘missing’ – however they had succeeded in causing severe disruption at the factory. Each cover bears a British Forces Post Office special handstamp, dated the 17 April 2002, which shows Lancaster ‘KM-B’ and commemorates both the 60th Anniversary of the raid and also the award of the Victoria Cross to Nettleton. Furthermore the covers have been flown in Lancaster PA474 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which was formerly painted in the markings of ‘KM-B’. The reverse of the cover bears an illustration of the Victoria Cross and a brief write up on the raid, along with the flight details, while inside the covers there are two detailed inserts. This cover is personally handsigned by Warrant Officer Bert Dowty, who was an air gunner with No 44 Squadron and was on his first operational sortie. On the Augsburg Raid he was the front gunner on Lancaster ‘T’ for Tommy, which was attacked by German fighters and forced to crash land. He managed to evade capture for over two weeks before being made a POW. The cover bears a 33p definitive stamp. Dowty was also the Vice-President of the 44 Squadron Association.We regret that Bert passed away in 2004 - he will be greatly missed.   Click here to see more covers in our shop We usually have lots of other items up for sale so why not have a look at our other auctions Aviation Collectables is a Registered Dealer of the UACC #219 PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS*All* signatures on all our signed items are 100% genuineWhere ever possible each item comes with an insert or information cardAll Official Editions are numbered and certified VISA/DELTA, MASTERCARD/EUROCARD and SOLO/MAESTRO Cards AcceptedWe also accept cheques in UK Sterling and British Postal OrdersPaypal payments accepted - GBP transactions only(Click to see to view our payment methods) Pay us with PayPal — it's free. Item is as per image .... Powered by eBay Turbo Lister Place a Bid!