Distinguished Flying Cross : Flight Lieutenant R M Rees, 83 Squadron RAF

Distinguished Flying Cross (Geo VI). Officially engraved on reverse lower arm with year of award and unofficially engraved across the reverse of all four arms with recipient's name, squadron and home address.

Associated with the service of 407339 Flight Lieutenant Robert Maitland Rees, born on 22 November 1915 in Kapunda, South Australia. Rees enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 14 September 1940. Throughout 1941 he qualified as an air observer, bomb aimer, air gunner and Astro navigator. In April 1942 Rees joined 83 Squadron, Royal Air Force in Scampton, England where he was a navigator aboard Avro Manchesters and Lancasters. In August 1942 Rees moved with 83 Squadron to Wyton, becoming part of the newly-formed Pathfinder Force. Rees completed more than two months operational flying service and in March 1943 was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his skill, courage and devotion to duty. His citation reads ‘Flight Lieutenant Rees has had a long and distinguished record of operational flying. On one occasion, during a daylight attack on Danzig, this officer displayed superb navigational ability in appalling weather, with constantly changing winds. In these conditions, he located the target, and pressed home the attack from below 1,000 feet, many hits being obtained. On another occasion, on the return journey from Berlin, this officer’s aircraft was engaged by ground defences and two engines put out of action. With great skill Flight Lieutenant Rees navigated the crippled aircraft many hundreds of miles back to the base. Throughout his long operational career, he has displayed courage and devotion to duty worthy of the highest praises.’. Rees was discharged from 3 Air Observer School on 25 June 1945.

• 1939-45 Star : Flight Lieutenant R M Rees, 83 Squadron RAF
• Air Crew Europe Star : Flight Lieutenant R M Rees, 83 Squadron RAF
• Defence Medal : Flight Lieutenant R M Rees, 83 Squadron RAF
• British War Medal 1939-45 : Flight Lieutenant R M Rees, 83 Squadron RAF
• Australia Service Medal : Flight Lieutenant R M Rees, 83 Squadron RAF