The 1942 D.F.C. and 'Kos Reconnaissance 1943' Bar group of seven awarded

The 1942 D.F.C. and 'Kos Reconnaissance 1943' Bar group of seven awarded to Flight Lieutenant J. Moss, No. 208 Squadron, Royal Air Force, whose 'seat-of-the-pants' flying saw him honoured, having successfully completed his mission whilst dodging three fighters Later earning a Bar for over the heavily fortified island of Kos, he was tragically murdered by Communist Insurgents whilst working in Malaya in 1948 Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VIR., dated 1942, with Second Award Bar, reverse of Cross privately engraved 'P/0/ J. Moss. 208 Sqn.'; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, sold together with the original medal ticker tape of issue correctly numbered to the recipient and a note from his sister confirming the sale of the Medals, good very fine (7) Provenance: Morton and Eden, July 2017. D.F.C. London Gazette 27 March 1942, the original citation states: 'One day in January, 1942, this officer carried out a photographic reconnaissance of the battle area. While making his run over the area at 20,000 feet, Pilot Officer Moss observed 3 enemy fighters flying to intercept him Nevertheless, he continued his run for some 8 minutes and, when the attackers prepared to engage him, he put his aircraft into a violent turn and spiralled down to 4,000 feet, which caused the windscreen and hood to become iced-up and reduced his visibility to a minimum. When below 4,000 feet, the ice cleared and Pilot Officer Moss observed that the enemy fighters were still in pursuit but, adopting both skill and disconcerting tactics, he cleverly evaded the enemy. He finally eluded his pursuers in a sand storm near a landing ground but he was unable to land there owing to the sand storm. Realising, however, that his petrol was becoming exhausted he flew clear of the tents and mechanised transports and made a safe landing with the undercarriage of his aircraft retracted and without incurring any damage to his camera. He then commandeered a vehicle and returned to his squadron with his photographs. Pilot Officer Moss displayed courage and resource in accomplishing a most valuable reconnaissance.' Second Award Bar London Gazette 17 December 1943, the original citation states: 'This officer has completed a very large number of reconnaissances and has displayed exceptional skill and great devotion to duty. In October, 1943, Flight Lieutenant Moss successfully completed a reconnaissance over an area near Cos Island, obtaining valuable information. Some days later, he undertook a similar mission in the Dodecanese area. In spite of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire. Flight Lieutenant Moss persisted in his task and secured highly important information. This officer has displayed great courage and resolution.' John Moss (called Jack or Jackie) was born at Waterfoot, Lancashire on 6 May 1922 and enlisted with the Royal Air Force before the war starting the conflict as a Flight Sergeant with the number 1062871. Commissioned Pilot Officer on 26 August 1941 he flew his D.F.C. winning action on 7 January 1942, a Tactical Reconnaissance over El-Hasseiat, Zeutina and Agedahia. The Squadron Record Book records: 'Pilot Officer J. Moss flying Hurricane Z.4433 crashed on landing, damaging his undercarriage and propellor'. Flying three interception and patrol missions in May Moss further flew reconnaissance missions over the El Alamein Line in July during the First Battle of El-Alamein. His skills in photography saw him transferred away from the fighter squadron to No. 2 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit on 29 July. Joining them at Heliopolis in August he started to fly Spitfires with his first flight taking place on 2 August, later that month he was advanced Flying Officer. He soon started operational flying in October and started to undertake reconnaissance flights over the front line in the run up to the Second Battle of El-Alamein. On the first day of the offensive he took off for a flight over Bardia, successfully spotting a large ship off Matruh. The month ended with Moss have chalked up at a total of nine operational sorties. Continuing to flying in November he spotted two hospital ships in Matruh on 2 November although he was unable to get closer as the ships had fighter escorts. In a bizarre repeating of his D.F.C. winning action the Squadron Record Book refers to his sortie of 23 November 1942, stating: 'carried out a Middle East demand for P.R. of Navarino Bay. F/O Moss encountered very bad weather bit by coming down to 2000; was able to obtain photographs of the target. Considerable heavy A.A. was encountered and 3 109's attempted to intercept. Several burst of fire were delivered by the enemy aircraft but F/O Moss managed to elude them in cloud cover a highly successful sorties. F/O Moss refuelled at Trimi upon his return and flew his photographs to Heliopolis for developing. He returned to Trimi on 24 November 1942.' Moss was called upon to support the Army on 27 November during the advance on Derna, photographing the area in an effort to locate minefields. His capacity for encountering trouble came into play once again the next month when he made a forced landing at Msus, with his engine cutting out at 20000 feet. In the air again just three days later he undertook a successful reconnaissance of Tripoli Harbour, spotting three 'F' boats some fifteen miles northwest of Misurata. Returning to Tripoli on 9 September Moss again displayed his daredevil streak by taking 5 runs in poor weather to make his reconnaissance, with partially successful results. Murdered at Jeantut Estate, a rubber plantation near Pahang, Malaysia on 14 October 1946. He was ambushed by six Chinese Terrorists and shot dead whilst performing a tour of the Plantation. Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

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