Handwritten Letter dated 7 May 75 Signed by Group Captain Russell Faulkner Aitken CBE, AFC (15 September 1913 25 ...

Handwritten Letter dated 7 May 75 Signed by Group Captain Russell Faulkner Aitken CBE, AFC (15 September 1913 25 February 1989) was a New Zealand born officer who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He pioneered the use of amphibious aircraft for rescuing RAF pilots who had been shot down over the English Channel and the North Sea. In September 1940, Aitken was posted to Fighter Command, joining No. 3 Squadron, which operated Hurricanes and was tasked with patrolling over Scapa Flow, protecting the Royal Navy ships there from attack by the Luftwaffe. Promoted to flight lieutenant within two months of his arrival he was appointed the squadron s commander in April 1941. At this time it was stationed near London and tasked with the aerial defence of the city. The squadron began flying night fighter missions, targeting German bombers during the Blitz. On 10 May, during one particularly heavy raid on London, Aitken shot down a Junkers Ju 88, one of 30 bombers destroyed that evening. The squadron was engaged in attacking German shipping passing through the English Channel, sinking a number of vessels. Aitken then began organising intruder missions into occupied France, his Hurricanes targeting German bombers as they returned from raids on Britain. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99