[THE MEDALS]
1939-45 Star
Aircrew Europe Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-45
Original colour tinted head & shoulders uniformed family photo of Sgt Peter Francis Snape wearing his pilots’ wings. He was just 22.
Original Box of Issue addressed to Peter’s Mother, Mrs H.E. SNAPE
of 125 BILTON ROAD, RUGBY. WARWICKSHIRE.
Original Named Condolence Slip To, SERGEANT P.F. SNAPE.
Original ticked medal slip.
[THE FINAL SORTIE]
This 78 Squadron Halifax MkII Bomber, JD252, EY-W took off from RAF Breighton at 22:30hrs on 29th July 1943 en-route to bomb Hamburg. It is thought that the aircraft reached the target and successfully bombed the docks and city, but as with many hundreds of aircraft it was probably very seriously damaged by flak while over the target or shot down by night fighters over occupied Holland on the way home.
This loss looks very much like a return leg late night-fighter casualty as the aircraft clearly almost made it home to the U.K. as the body of Sgt G.M. GIBB was recovered from the English coastal waters the next day by an RAF Air Sea Rescue launch. Sgt GIBB was taken for burial at Driffield Cemetery. The other six crew members and the aircraft were lost without trace and are commemorated with eternal honour on the Runnymede Memorial.
The lost crew were:
+Sgt P.F. SNAPE (Pilot)
+Sgt L.J. DUGARD
+P/O K. WILSON
+F/O C.E. BURRAS
+Sgt G.M. GIBB
+Sgt E.G. NICKELS
+Sgt C.R. LANGLEY
*Another 78 Squadron Halifax (JB 798 EY-P) and it’s complete crew of seven was lost over the city that night when it was hit by flak.
A Classic WW2 Halifax Bomber Pilot Casualty group of Four with copy CWG papers and all the described items above?
All medals and ribbons are in original mint state and as issued.
SOLD