Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Bomber Command D.F.C. group of four awarded to Pilot Officer A. H. Hanson, No. 158 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1942’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal, nearly extremely fine (4)

D.F.C. London Gazette June 1942. ‘One night in May 1942 Flt.Lt. Ennis and P/O Hanson, as pilot and rear gunner respectively of an aircraft were detailed to carry out a low-level attack on WARNEMUNDE. The target was heavily defended both with searchlights and anti-aircraft fire, which made a low-level attack very hazardous. Flt.Lt. Ennis, displaying great courage flew the aircraft at a very low level, but found that he could not penetrate the heavy defences. In all three attempts were made, before the target was reached and attacked successfully. Throughout this time P/O Hanson continued firing at the searchlights and other defences and destroyed at least two searchlights. The skill and courage displayed by him contributed largely to the safe return of the aircraft.’ Warnemunde was the site of the Heinkel aircraft factory.

Pilot Officer Arthur Howard Hanson was flying as rear gunner of a Halifax bomber when it came down over the sea after it had set out on a raid on Dusseldorf on the night of 10 September 1942. All the crew were killed and their bodies were recovered from the sea off the Belgian coast. The group is sold with copies from the Squadron Operations Book and the following original documentation: cutting from “Flight” magazine giving details of the award of the D.F.C.; two other news cuttings, one of which shows Hanson with crew members; two Air Ministry Telegrams reporting Hanson missing, believed killed; letter of condolence from O.C. 158 Sqn., East Moor, Yorkshire; several Air Ministry letters dealing with the loss of this officer, all addressed to his widow; Air Ministry Certificate of Death; photograph of his grave and a Red Cross letter to his widow.