RAF No 35 Squadron cover signed Air Vice Marshal Bennett CB CBE DSO, Pathfinder

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RAF No 35 Squadron cover signed by Air Vice-Marshal Donald Bennett CB CBE DSO 'His technical knowledge and his personal operational ability was altogetherexceptional. His courage, both moral and physical [was] outstanding and as a technician he [was] unrivalled. He could not suffer fools gladly, and by his own high standards there were many fools.' Renowned for his bluntness and not disposed towards unnecessary flattery, this was praise indeed for Bennett from his commander Bomber Harris. In 1944, at the age of thirty-three, Don Bennett became the youngest Air Vice-Marshal in the history of the RAF.Born in Toowoomba, Queensland, on 14 September 1910, the youngest son of an Australian sheep farmer, Donald Clifford Tyndall Bennett joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1930 and travelled to England in the following year on attachment to the RAF. Initially posted to 29 (F) Squadron he later became an instructor on flying boats at RAF Calshot and when he left the RAF in 1935, transferring to the Reserve, he was a highly qualified pilot and air navigator. Joining Imperial Airways, Bennett flew the world's air routes in flying boats and landplanes, achieving several much publicised flying exploits including the Mercury-Maia composite flying boat flight across the North Atlantic in July 1938, and various in-flight refuelling experiments in 1939.In 1940 Bennett was selected to help set up the Atlantic Ferry organisation for the collection of American and Canadian-built aircraft for delivery to England, and led the first formation flight of Hudsons across the Atlantic. Recommissioned into the RAFVR in 1941, Bennett was promoted to Wing Commander in December and appointed to command 77 Squadron at Leeming. He later moved on to command 10 Squadron in April 1942 and was shot down on a raid to sink the Tirpitz. He evaded and made his way home to England via Sweden.The high point of Bennett's RAF career came in July 1942 when Harris asked him to form the Pathfinder Force, and which officially came into being the following month. Bennett was promoted Air Commodore in January 1943 and later Air Vice-Marshal. That same year he was awarded the DSO.The success of the Pathfinder Force was due in large measure to Bennett's relentless drive and vision: night after night for the remaining three years of the war, almost every main force raid was spearheaded by the Pathfinders who contributed in a major way to the successful prosecution of the RAF's strategic air offensive.When the war ended, Bennett remained the only bomber group commander not to receive a knighthood. Nevertheless, his post war achievements and activities were varied: he was one-time Liberal MP for Middlesbrough West, Director of British South American Airways, and a designer and builder of light aircraft and cars.Donal Bennett died on 15 September 1986 aged 76.One of 1,250 covers issuedInformation inserts enclosed Items shipped at standard airmail delivery for £2.80 within Europe and £3.00 to the Rest of The World but I cannot provide any certificate of posting for items sent as standard air mail, since the Swedish Post Office do not provide that service . Registered/recorded/insured delivery for items with a total price of up to £200 will cost £12 , above £200 the cost will be £15 A few potential bidders have enquired as to my charges to post a cover. Unfortunately the Swedish Post Office have very high postage charges and 1st April 2014 they increased them. To post a letter which weighs over 50g but less then 100g, for example to the UK , costs 28 Swedish krona. I use hard backed envelopes and envelope stiffeners, which together weigh 43g and pack all covers well, so the £2.80 I charge just covers the cost of postage, the envelope and packaging. Any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Returns accepted I only charge the shipping cost of one item regardless if multiple items are won read more

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