Description: Royal Air Force Commemorative CoverCommemoratingThe 75th Anniversary OfThe Royal Air Force ~ No.10 SquadronLimited Edition Special Signed CoverCover in good condition - see pictures for full detailsContains the original information sheets as shownCover was flown by the RAF Cover Signed By:-Group Captain James Brian Tait DSO** DFC* ADC Group Captain Tait started his Royal Air Force career as a flight cadet at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell between 1934-1936. His first appointment after commissioning was with No.10 Squadron then flying Heyfords at Boscombe Down. The Squadron subsquently moved to the new airfield at Disforth in February 1937 and was re-equipped with the Whitley I in May 1937. On the outbreak of War he was incapacitated by a leg injury but by 15 April 1940 he was fit and ready to take part in the real operational battle following the period of 'phony war'. By Christmas 1940, at the age of 24, he was commanding No.51 Squadron in the rank of Wing Commander and had been awarded his first DFC. Group Captain Tait recalls that during this period in June 1940 he experienced one of his roughest rides ever during a raid on Turin; continuous heavy thunder- storms resulted in static emitting from every gun barrel in the turrets as if the guns were firing.In February 1941 he commanded Operation Colossus which was the first parachute operation involving about 50 men dropped into Italy to destroy an aqueduct. For this operation he was awarded his first DSO and was then posted to the newly formed No.35 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, the first Squadron to be equipped with the Halifax. No.35 Squadron's first operational sortie was on 11 June 1941 against Duisberg. On 30 June Tait led a small force on a daylight raid against Kiel and was awarded the first bar to his DSO. Following a period in late 1941 early 1942 when he was in charge of Halifax conversion training at Marston Moor he took over No.10 Squadron when Don Bennett was shot down over Norway during an attack on the battleship Tirpitz. Bennett subsequently escaped back to England via Sweden so Tait spent a short time "on ice" at 5 Gp HO before going to command No.78 Squadron (also equipped with the Halifax) at Middleton St George. Group Captain Tait recalls that this was a particularly worrying time all round, inexperienced crews were finding the Halifax a bit difficult, the weather was bad, losses were heavy and bombing results reflected the lack of efficient bombing equipment. Experienced Squadron Commanders were scarce and, as a result, they were not allowed to fly more than one operation per month. In Tait's words this made it impossible to maintain leadership and he notes he was able to do better than the one sortie per month. 78 Squadron's comrade Squadron, No.76, was commanded by Leonard Cheshire with whom Tait formed a close working relationship with mutual benefit to the morale and effectiveness of both Squadrons. From 78 Squadron Group Captain Tait went to HQ Bomber Command where he stayed until September 1943 when he was given command of the Canadian OTU at Wellesbourne Mountford. In March 1944 he went to 5 Group, first to Waddington, then to Coningsby. His appointment was Group Master Bomber with no responsibilities other than flying. On 12 July 1944 he took command of No.617 Squadron from his old colleague Leonard Cheshire. He subsequently received a 3rd bar to his DSO and, for the attack on the Kembs Barrage on 7 October 1944, a 2nd bar to the DFC. He led 617 Squadron on all three Tirpitz raids which led to the German Battleships eventually sinking and in 1945 he then joined the staff of No.100 Group. After the end of the war Group Captain Tait served in the Middle and Far East for 3 years before returning to the Air Ministry. He retired from the Royal Air Force in December 1966.. ~~~~~~~~We will always combine items for postage with pleasure, to ensure a fair and sensible price.These are quite bulky and fairly heavy items due to the information sheets includedWE POST WORLDWIDE - AND ALWAYS ENSURE GOOD PACKAGING FOR SAFE SHIPPING
Price: 5.99 GBP
Location: Derby
End Time: 2025-02-08T09:48:03.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4.92 GBP
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Year of Issue: 1991-2000
Era: Elizabeth II (1952-Now)
Currency: Decimal
Grade: VG/F (Very Good/Fine)
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Topic: Aviation
Cancellation Type: Handstamped
Modified Item: No
