WW2 Distinguished Flying Medal Group – Flt Sgt (Air Gunner) D.W. Storms, 101 Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force

A second world war DFM medal group to Flight Sergeant (Air Gunner) Douglas Warner Storms, 101 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force. 

George VI Distinguished Flying Medal named to R86215 F/S. D.W. Storms. R.C.A.F. 
1939-45 Star unnamed as issued 
Air Crew Europe Star (Clasp – France and Germany) unnamed as issued 
WW2 Defence Medal (Canadian Silver Issue) unnamed as issued 
WW2 Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (with Overseas Service Bar) unnamed as issued 
1939-45 War Medal (Canadian Silver Issue) unnamed as issued 

London Gazette:
15th October 1943 (DFM) 
‘ Throughout his Operational tour with this Squadron on Lancaster aircraft Flight Sergeant Storms, a Canadian, has always displayed great keenness, and efficiency in carrying out his duties. 
 His cool courage and vigilence has inspired confidence, and greatly contributed to the excellent results achieved by the crew of which he was a member. 
 This N.C.O. has set a high standard by his courage, and devotion to duty, and it is recommended that his consistent good work be recognised by an award of the DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL.’ 

Flying Officer Storms completed two tours (60 Ops). His first tour was with 101 Squadron and he was awarded the DFM in 1943. He was later commissioned and completed his second tour with 419 (Moose) Squadron. He was a Mid Upper Air Gunner in a Lancaster. 

He is credited with shooting down a Junkers 188. Two newspaper cuttings with the group state: 
‘The target that night was Ludwigshafen; the trouble, a JU 188, an aircraft similar to the JU 88, but with a midupper gun turret added. 
 It zoomed in head-on from one side. The pilot of the relatively slow bomber made a diving turn toward the Junkers as Storms swung his machine-guns into position. He opened fire at the same instant as the Nazi midupper. 
 It was over with the unbelievable swiftness of air combat. Storms hit his target squarely; the Nazi missed. The JU 188 exploded only three or four hundred yards away.’ 

The medals are in good condition with ribbons. 

Fairly scarce to the R.C.A.F. with only around 500 being awarded.

Comes with two photos and copy research.

Force: Royal Canadian Air Force

Era: WW2