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View Full Version : Air Commodore 'Daisy' Sismore (DSO, DFC +Bar +Bar, AFC)


CoffmanStarter
23rd Jul 2014, 15:09
Spink London are to auction the medals awarded to ‘Daisy’ Sismore, The Man Who Left Goering ‘Speechless in Berlin’. The auction is to be held on the 24th July 2014.

On the morning of January 31 1943, Squadron Leader Reggie Reynolds and Sismore led a small force of Mosquitos on the RAF’s first daylight bombing attack on Berlin, a round trip of 1,100 miles. The bombers were ordered to arrive at exactly 11am, when Goering and Goebbels were due to address a rally commemorating the 10th anniversary celebrations of Hitler’s regime.

The Mosquitos flew at low level over Germany and, as they crossed the Elbe, climbed to 25,000ft for their attack, which was carried out exactly on time and photographed by Sismore as it happened.

On their return the crews were able to hear a tape recording from German radio. As the announcer introduced Goering to the crowds, bombs could be heard exploding. Goering never delivered his speech, and his constant boasts about the security of the Fatherland were proved to be empty promises. Among those decorated after the attack was Sismore, who was awarded a DFC.


https://www.spink.com/media/60806/52web.jpg

Image Credit : Spink of London Press Release

https://www.spink.com/media/60826/lot-52i_web.jpg

Image Credit : Spink of London Press Release

More here ...

Air Commodore 'Daisy' Sismore (DSO, DFC **, AFC) : Spink of London Auction Details : Page 51 (http://issuu.com/spinkandson/docs/14002?e=2874488/8488826)

Telegraph Obituary 2nd April 2012 (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/air-force-obituaries/9181831/Air-Commodore-Ted-Sismore.html)

Sismore joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve and trained as an observer in 1939 (aged 18). In 1951 he trained as a pilot, and was responsible for developing jet night fighter tactics. In 1953 he was given command of No 29 Squadron, the RAF’s first jet night fighter squadron and equipped with the Meteor.

Another fine group TTN ...

Coff.

Tankertrashnav
23rd Jul 2014, 15:32
Very fine indeed, Coff - and to a navigator too!

I see Spink's estimate is £40 - £50k which I am sure will be exceeded by a good margin (leaves me out!)

By the way


Air Commodore 'Daisy' Sismore (DSO, DFC +Bar +Bar, AFC)


The usual way of indicating bars to awards is by the use of asterisks, eg DFC **.

But I'm sure you knew that ;)

CoffmanStarter
23rd Jul 2014, 15:44
Many thanks TTN ... yes I do ... must have been the heat ... :ok:

Old-Duffer
24th Jul 2014, 11:22
E B Sismore is indeed a remarkable man. His pilot - Reg Reynolds DSO DFC - is equally remarkable. After the war - and very much like John Sherwood of the Augsberg raid - he disappeared from sight and made his way quietly through peace. Reynolds is still alive and living in Canada. What a story he could tell.


Old Duffer

CoffmanStarter
24th Jul 2014, 14:46
Old-Duffer ...

The Augsberg Raid ...

I had the very great pleasure in the mid 70's to know and fly with another remarkable man who took part in the Augsberg Raid.

Wing Commander D. J. Penman DSO* OBE DFC* ...

A few PPRuNe Members may have met W/C Penman without realising it at the time ... As he had three spells at the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre at Biggin Hill.

A very young F/L David Penman taken immediately post the Augsberg Raid

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/imagejpg1_zps72ea7a67.jpg

Image Credit : British Pathe (Screen Grab)

The Telegraph London : Obituary (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1478454/Wing-Commander-David-Penman.html)

Al R
24th Jul 2014, 20:01
What a book that would be.. those who handed in their kit, stowed their medals and then returned to complete obscurity through choice. Just started this.

Amazon.com: Aces in Command : Fighter Pilots as Combat Leaders (9781574883107): Walter J. Boyne: Books

CoffmanStarter
24th Jul 2014, 20:57
You were right TTN ...

The 'Sismore' group of medals exceeded Spink's estimate to realise £72,000 at today's auction.

Tankertrashnav
24th Jul 2014, 22:18
Bugger - underbidder again :(

;)

Al R
25th Jul 2014, 20:59
TTN,

You might like this series of Hollywood critiques (more at bottom).

The Great Santini -- a Warrior without a War. Hollywood Heroes | MyServicePride.com (http://www.myservicepride.com/content/great-santini-warrior-without-war-hollywood-heroes/)

Tankertrashnav
26th Jul 2014, 08:13
Al - thanks for that. I certainly wouldn't have picked up the errors on the US medals, but I frequently see mistakes made on medal ribbons, etc, when British servicemen are depicted in films and TV programmes.

A good example was Richard Burton who played a fighter pilot in The Longest Day. Unable to decide which way the diagonal stripes went on the DFC and AFC, they compromised and had them go opposite ways on the two medals!

Al R
26th Jul 2014, 08:29
British pragmatism lol.

John Purdey
26th Jul 2014, 16:56
Was this same Sismore not the Staish at Bruggen in in1966?

CoffmanStarter
26th Jul 2014, 17:18
John ...

In 1962 he was promoted to group captain and given command of the RAF’s large base at Bruggen on the Dutch-German border. Responsible for two Canberra squadrons operating in the low-level bombing and reconnaissance roles, he was able to fly regularly and revisit some of his wartime targets. Both his squadrons achieved major successes in the annual Nato efficiency competitions.

:ok:

nzhills
1st Apr 2016, 22:15
Hi,

I'm the son of a crun, henry crun in this instance. Henry has departed the mortal world but I asked him to make an mp3 recording of his log books, talk me through the entries etc. I've clipped these to his memories of his arrival at 29 squadron and its C/O, squadron leader Sismore. Please download the file called C - Sismore from the link below.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0By1hImoM7zWPLTZUSzI1LVZBU0k

Regards
Mark

P.S. For those in the audience with children, please leave them with an audio memory of you. Get an mp3 recorder and talk about your life and log books into it.

aw ditor
2nd Apr 2016, 11:12
Coff.'

ISTR that Dave (?) Penman was on the Woodvale AEF on Chippies' in the mid to late 1970s'. I was a very junior AEF Pilot & QFI Retd., Fg.Off. VR(T) Tea Boy. I think he took 2 Sugars. He never talked about Augsburg and perhaps foolishly, we never asked him.

A.D.

Wander00
2nd Apr 2016, 11:43
Best weekend I ever had for "memories" was the Pathfinders 50th at Wyton in 92. Even my OC Ops from an earlier life, Wg Cdr Bill Simpson, was there having travelled from NZ. What a bunch. I also had the privilege of meeting Ulric Cross, most decorated and most senior Caribbean aircrew in the war, and in 92 his country's High Commissioner in UK