A Second World War Pathfinder’s D.F.C. group of five awarded to Flight Lieutenant D. Johnson, Royal Air Force, who completed a tour of operations as a Rear Gunner in Lancasters of No. 83 Squadron prior to his death in action on D-Day when assigned to a target in France with No. 582 Squadron

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1943’, in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals, these last in their original card forwarding box with related Air Council condolence slip in the name of ‘Flight Lieutenant D. Johnston, D.F.C.’, extremely fine (5) £1200-1500

D.F.C. London Gazette 15 May 1943. The original recommendation states:

‘This officer has now completed 30 sorties with a total of 168 hours. The majority of these sorties have been carried out to the most heavily defended targets in Germany and include Berlin (2), Essen (2), Hamburg, Bremen and all the important targets in and around the Ruhr. Of these 30 sorties, 29 have been completed successfully.

Flying Officer Johnson’s outstanding enthusiasm for operational flying is indeed an excellent example to the members of this squadron. As one example of this officer’s determination to continue with operational flying despite many harassing experiences and whatever the odds, one night in November he was performing his duties as an Air Gunner in an aircraft detailed for Pathfinder duties on Genoa. This aircraft, having fulfilled its task successfully, crashed on return, the Captain, 2nd Pilot and Navigator were killed outright, the Bomb Aimer died of his injuries and the remainder, of which Flying Officer Johnson was one, were seriously injured and spent many weeks in hospital. After making the most strenuous efforts to return to operational flying, he returned to the Squadron at the very first opportunity and has since completed a further 12 sorties on Pathfinder duties.

This officer always carries out his duties, both on the ground and in the air, with notable efficiency and enthusiasm, and as Air Gunner he sets the highest possible standard. Flying Officer Johnson, by returning to operational flying, immediately he was released from hospital, has indeed set a magnificent example of devotion to duty to other members of the Squadron. He is now continuing on operations with the Path Finder Force, having volunteered to forego his rest to the completion of two tours of duty.

This officer’s all round ability, enthusiasm and skill whilst flying on operations are considered to be in every way deserving of an award.’

Dennis Johnson commenced his tour of duty as a Rear Gunner in No. 83 Squadron in July 1942, initially operating in Manchesters but by August of the same year in Lancasters, following his unit’s transferral to Wyton, Huntingdonshire, as part of the newly formed Path Finder Force. As stated above, the majority of his targets over the coming months were in the Ruhr, though it was following a strike against Genoa on the night of 6-7 November that his aircraft crashed on landing, his resultant injuries preventing his return to an operational footing until mid-January 1943. And he ended his tour with a raid on Munich on the night of 9-10 March 1943, having also attacked Berlin for a fourth time in the intervening period.

Having then volunteered for a second operational tour with No. 582 Squadron, a Pathfinder unit of No. 8 Group, flying Lancasters out of Little Staughton, Huntingdonshire, Johnson was killed in action on D-Day, when his aircraft, piloted by Squadron Leader A. W. Raybould, D.S.O., D.F.M., failed to return from a strike on enemy coastal batteries at Longues on the night of 5-6 June 1944.

Johnson was 25 years of age, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial; the address label on the the above described forwarding box is partially lacking, but retains ‘Brierley Hill, Staffs’, where indeed the recipient’s parents, Alec and Ethel Johnson, were resident; also sold with another card forwarding box, with Admiralty forwarding slip, addressed to ‘E. Johnson’, late Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., and probably the recipient’s brother.