Bidspirit auction | Falklands War Lt Cdr N

Falklands War Lt Cdr N Thomas DSC, WW2 Matapan M Haworth DSC signed RAF cover. Distinguished Service Cross cover Signed N Thomas DSC Falklands War, M Haworth DSC WW2 Cape Matapan. 1 Jun 85 The Award of the Distinguished Service Cross, Pilot Lt Cdr Neil W Thomas DSC RN. Personally Signed by Lt Cdr Neil W Thomas DSC and Signed by Captain M G Haworth CBE DSC. Was an observer of an Albacore aircraft of No 826 Naval Air Squadron aboard HMS Formidable. Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for torpedo attack on the Italian Warship in the Battle of Cape Matapan. Lieutenant Commander Neil Wynell THOMAS, Royal Navy. Lieutenant Commander Thomas was serving as Commanding Officer 899 Naval Air Squadron when it was transferred to HMS HERMES on 4th April 1982. He brought his shore-based training Squadron, with several pilots incompletely trained, to success in combat against heavy odds in less than a month. On 1st May 1982, he took part in a daring low level attack on Port Stanley airfield in the face of heavy anti-aircraft ground fire which rendered it unfit for use and led many other dangerous ground attack sorties. Lieutenant Commander Thomas also played an important part in the air battle. On one occasion, he shot down one of a wave of four Skyhawks and in the ensuing dog-fight in cloud and, when his remaining missile indicated that it had acquired a target, he showed great coolness in holding his fire until he was able to confirm that it had in fact detected his wingman rather than the enemy, thus preventing a tragic accident. During this period, Lieutenant Commander Thomas flew over 50 operational missions: on occasions taking part in up to four operational sorties per day followed by long periods on deck alert at night. He showed outstanding qualities of valour and leadership over a most demanding and extended period of operational flying. Good condition Est.