Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 20, 2018 22:18:32 GMT 12
Bravery medals of Spitfire hero who made first ‘kill’ on D-Day emerge for sale
THE bravery medals of a heroic Spitfire pilot who shot down the first enemy aircraft on D-Day has emerged for sale. Squadron Leader John 'Johnnie' Houlton claimed a German Ju 88 bomber over Omaha Beach on the afternoon of June 6, 1944.
PUBLISHED: 12:19, Thu, Apr 5, 2018 | UPDATED: 15:30, Thu, Apr 5, 2018
Johnnie Houlton made the first 'kill' of D-Day and earned numerous medals
Days earlier, the flying ace organised a light-hearted sweepstake among fellow pilots for who would secure the first 'kill'.Sq Ldr Houlton collected a few shillings from the pool although he bemoaned the fact his 'modest' winnings didn't cover the cost of the post-mission party.
The Allied pilot was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross for his role in the D-Day mission and other crucial offensives. He flew more than 100 operations during the Second World War and attributed his survival to braking hard into the line of fire rather than trying and avoid it.
His medal group has now emerged for auction in London and is tipped to sell for £5,000. Describing his historic D-Day sortie from RAF Selsey, West Sussex, in a Spitfire ML 407, Sq Ldr Houlton, of 485 Squadron, said: "In mid-afternoon I led Blue Section during the third patrol of the day.
"South of Ohama Beach, below a shallow, broken layer of cumulus, I glimpsed a Ju88 above cloud, diving away fast to the south. Climbing at full throttle I saw the enemy aircraft enter a large isolated cloud above the main layer, and when it reappeared on the other side it was closing in rapidly.
"I adjusted the gyro sight on the target at 500 yards with a deflection angle of 45 degrees, positioned the aiming dot on the right hand engine of the enemy aircraft and fired a three second burst.
"The engine disintegrated, fire broke out, two crew members bailed out and the aircraft dived steeply to crash on a roadway, blowing apart on impact.
"Supreme Headquarters nominated the Ju. 88 as the first enemy aircraft to be shot down since the invasion began.Some days before the invasion I had casually suggested we should run a sweepstake for the first pilot to shoot down and enemy aircraft after the invasion began, and I duly collected a few shillings from the pool.
"When we later had time to unwind and celebrate, my modest winnings were well short of the cost of the party."
Sd Ldr Houlton, from Christchurch, New Zealand, took part in many successful missions during the war including a raid on Ostend, Belgium, on July 11, 1942 where he destroyed two enemy trains.
His 485 Squadron provided direct support to Allied ground forces during the impending invasion of France. During the six weeks prior to D-Day Sq Ldr Houlton flew 11 dive-bombing sorties.
Following his D-Day success, Sq Ldr Houlton flew subsequent beach patrols over Normandy on June 8 and June 12, shooting down Messerschmitt 109s on both occasions.
His Distinguished Flying Cross citation in the London Gazette, dated September 4, 1944, said: "This officer has at all times set a fine example to his fellow pilots by his initiative and keenness to come to grips with the enemy."
In 1985, Sq Ldr Houlton visited the UK to participate in a television documentary 'The Perfect Lady' where he returned to the skies in his old D-Day Spitfire ML407 which survived the conflict.
Sq Ldr Houlton, who was a commercial pilot in later life, died aged 73 in 1996. His medal group consists of a Distinguished Flying Cross; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45 and New Zealand Service Medal 1939-45.
It has been consigned for auction by a British private collector.
Marcus Budgen, specialist at auctioneers Spink & Son of London said: "The group to 'Johhnie' Houlton must be considered of great historical importance.
"Besides the fact that he scored numerous victories in his Spitfire during the course of the Second World War, to score the first victory on D-Day sets him apart and the fact his trusty Spitfire is still in service gives the group a unique charm.
"We would expect that collectors from far and wide will show their interest when the group comes for auction."
The auction takes place on April 25.
THE bravery medals of a heroic Spitfire pilot who shot down the first enemy aircraft on D-Day has emerged for sale. Squadron Leader John 'Johnnie' Houlton claimed a German Ju 88 bomber over Omaha Beach on the afternoon of June 6, 1944.
PUBLISHED: 12:19, Thu, Apr 5, 2018 | UPDATED: 15:30, Thu, Apr 5, 2018
Johnnie Houlton made the first 'kill' of D-Day and earned numerous medals
Days earlier, the flying ace organised a light-hearted sweepstake among fellow pilots for who would secure the first 'kill'.Sq Ldr Houlton collected a few shillings from the pool although he bemoaned the fact his 'modest' winnings didn't cover the cost of the post-mission party.
The Allied pilot was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross for his role in the D-Day mission and other crucial offensives. He flew more than 100 operations during the Second World War and attributed his survival to braking hard into the line of fire rather than trying and avoid it.
His medal group has now emerged for auction in London and is tipped to sell for £5,000. Describing his historic D-Day sortie from RAF Selsey, West Sussex, in a Spitfire ML 407, Sq Ldr Houlton, of 485 Squadron, said: "In mid-afternoon I led Blue Section during the third patrol of the day.
"South of Ohama Beach, below a shallow, broken layer of cumulus, I glimpsed a Ju88 above cloud, diving away fast to the south. Climbing at full throttle I saw the enemy aircraft enter a large isolated cloud above the main layer, and when it reappeared on the other side it was closing in rapidly.
"I adjusted the gyro sight on the target at 500 yards with a deflection angle of 45 degrees, positioned the aiming dot on the right hand engine of the enemy aircraft and fired a three second burst.
"The engine disintegrated, fire broke out, two crew members bailed out and the aircraft dived steeply to crash on a roadway, blowing apart on impact.
"Supreme Headquarters nominated the Ju. 88 as the first enemy aircraft to be shot down since the invasion began.Some days before the invasion I had casually suggested we should run a sweepstake for the first pilot to shoot down and enemy aircraft after the invasion began, and I duly collected a few shillings from the pool.
"When we later had time to unwind and celebrate, my modest winnings were well short of the cost of the party."
Sd Ldr Houlton, from Christchurch, New Zealand, took part in many successful missions during the war including a raid on Ostend, Belgium, on July 11, 1942 where he destroyed two enemy trains.
His 485 Squadron provided direct support to Allied ground forces during the impending invasion of France. During the six weeks prior to D-Day Sq Ldr Houlton flew 11 dive-bombing sorties.
Following his D-Day success, Sq Ldr Houlton flew subsequent beach patrols over Normandy on June 8 and June 12, shooting down Messerschmitt 109s on both occasions.
His Distinguished Flying Cross citation in the London Gazette, dated September 4, 1944, said: "This officer has at all times set a fine example to his fellow pilots by his initiative and keenness to come to grips with the enemy."
In 1985, Sq Ldr Houlton visited the UK to participate in a television documentary 'The Perfect Lady' where he returned to the skies in his old D-Day Spitfire ML407 which survived the conflict.
Sq Ldr Houlton, who was a commercial pilot in later life, died aged 73 in 1996. His medal group consists of a Distinguished Flying Cross; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45 and New Zealand Service Medal 1939-45.
It has been consigned for auction by a British private collector.
Marcus Budgen, specialist at auctioneers Spink & Son of London said: "The group to 'Johhnie' Houlton must be considered of great historical importance.
"Besides the fact that he scored numerous victories in his Spitfire during the course of the Second World War, to score the first victory on D-Day sets him apart and the fact his trusty Spitfire is still in service gives the group a unique charm.
"We would expect that collectors from far and wide will show their interest when the group comes for auction."
The auction takes place on April 25.
