A Superb Bomber Command 2nd/3rd January 1945 Nuremberg Raid, Lancaster’s mid-upper gunner Distinguished Flying Medal group to Flight Sergeant A.J. Bate, No. 12 Squadron, Royal Air Force who would participate on 29 successful raids including on Munich, Nuremberg, Dresden and Chemnitz. It was however for his actions during the raid on Nuremberg on the night of 2nd/3rd January 1945 that he would receive the Distinguished Flying Medal in the London Gazette of 17th July 1945, the recommendation for his award stating that on the raid on Nuremberg on the night of 2nd/3rd January 1945 Bate had sighted a Ju.88 while the aircraft was illuminated by fighter flares, and called out the correct evasive action, and then with accurate fire obtained numerous strikes on the enemy fighter which was last seen diving steeply away to starboard. Earlier on the same night, he had materially assisted the rear-gunner of his aircraft in the destruction of an Me.109. He had on several other occasions assisted in driving off impending attacks by enemy fighters.
Group of 5: Distinguished Flying Medal; GVIR, 1st type bust, (2219060 F/SGT A.J. B ATE. R.A.F.) 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal and War Medal 39-45, the last four all privately engraved; (F/SGT A.J. BATE. D.F.M. 12 SQDN. 1 GP. BMR CMMD.). Mounted for display.
Condition: Mounted for display, Good Very Fine
Provenance: Ex Noonans 3rd December 2020, Lot 98
Arthur James Bates saw service as a Flight Sergeant (No 2219060) with No. 12 Squadron, 1 Group, Bomber Command and took part in 29 successful raids.
He would receive a Distinguished Flying Medal in the London Gazette of 17th July 1945, the recommendation reading:
‘Flight Sergeant Bate is the mid-upper gunner of a Lancaster bomber and has flown 29 successful sorties against the enemy. Many of these attacks have been against deep penetration targets such as Munich, Nuremberg, Dresden and Chemnitz. This gunner’s air discipline has at all times been beyond reproach and his coolness and fighting spirit have inspired the highest standard of morale in his crew. On the night of 2nd/3rd January 1945, while returning from an attack on Nuremberg, our aircraft was illuminated by fighter flares and a Ju.88 was sighted by Flight Sergeant Bate attacking on the starboard quarter down. Flight Sergeant Bate immediately requested the correct evasive action to be taken and by accurate fire, obtained numerous strikes on the enemy fighter which was last seen diving steeply away to starboard. Previously on the same night, this N.C.O. was concerned in a successful combat with an Me.109 when he materially assisted his rear gunner with the destruction of this aircraft . On several other occassions, Flight Sergeant Bate, has by his aggressive spirit, assisted in driving off impending attacks by enemy fighters. The courage and skill of this N.C.O. is of the highest order and I have no hesitation in recommending him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.’
His Station Commander would add:
‘Flight Sergeant Bate, as mid-upper gunner, has displayed a magnificent fighting spirit in action. His immediate recognition of danger, his superb handling of his guns and his good directions to his captain in combat have inspired his crew with the utmost confidence and made him an indispensable member. I strongly recommend that the fine fighting spirit and proved ability shown by this N.C.O. be rewarded the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.’
The raid on Nuremberg on the night of 2/3rd January 1945 comprised 514 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes of 1,3,6 and 8 Groups. 4 Lancasters would be lost, and 2 later crashed in France. The raid is summed up by Bomber Command War Diaries as follows:
‘Nuremberg, scene of so many disappointments for Bomber Command, finally succumbed to this attack. The Pathfinders produced good ground-marking in conditions of clear visibility and with the help of a rising full moon. The centre of the city, particularly the eastern half was destroyed. The castle, the Rathaus, almost all the churches and about 2,000 preserved medieval houses went up in flames. The area of destruction also extended into the more modern north-eastern and southern city areas. 4,640 houses (mostly blocks of flats) were destroyed. The industrial area in the south, containing the important M.A.N. and Siemens factories, and the railway areas were also severely damaged. 415 separate industrial buildings were destroyed. It was a near-perfect example of area bombing. 1,838 were killed and at least 50 more were missing. The number of injured was not recorded.’
Bate's 29 raids carried out from September 1944 to March 1945 included Frankfurt, Calais (2), Neuss, West Kappelle Seawall, Wilhelmshaven, Stuttgart, Essen, Bonn (2), Cologne (3)Gelsenkirchen, Wanne Eickel, Schaffenburg, Dortmund (2), Nuremberg (2), Royan, Munich, Vattegort, Cleve, Dresden, Chemnitz, Duisberg, Pforzheim, Mannheim and Misburg.
