Description: Buyautographs Other IN PERSON SIGNINGS Signed First Day Covers Mount Everest signed WW2 and Military Sport signed Football signed Movie Star signed photos Signed Books Animation signed TITANIC survivors APOLLO & NASA SPACE Politics & Historical Concorde Autographs James Bond Charity Auctions RAF Vulcan Bomber Caroline Munro signed TV stars Doctor Who RAF Royal Flying Corps cover signed by Battle of Britain ace George Bennions Royal Flying Corps aviation cover signed by Battle of Britain ace George Bennions George Herman Bennions, DFC (15 March 1913 – 30 January 2004), nicknamed "Ben", was one of the leading Battle of Britain Spitfire pilots. Bennions trained as a pilot and in January 1936 joined No. 41 Squadron RAF in Aden as a sergeant pilot flying the Hawker Demon fighter. The squadron returned to England later that year to be re-equipped with the Hawker Fury, and again in 1940 with the Supermarine Spitfire. Bennions received his commission in April 1940. While stationed at RAF Hornchurch, he recorded his first success on 28 July 1940 when he shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 of JG 51. On the following day, after shooting down his second Bf 109, his Spitfire was damaged and he had to crash land in Kent. On 15 August 1940 while on a temporary rest break at RAF Catterick, his squadron was in action against a Luftwaffe force of 120 bombers and 21 Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighters along the Yorkshire coast near Hartlepool. Bennions destroyed one Messerschmitt Bf 110 of I./ZG 76 and damaged another. The squadron returned to Hornchurch and on 5 September Bennions shot down a Junkers Ju 88 and probably destroyed a Bf 109, and the following day two more Bf 109's. He claimed another Bf 109 on 9 September and further successes quickly followed bringing his tally to twelve destroyed (one German bomber, 11 fighters), five probably destroyed, and five damaged, including a Dornier Do 17. On 23 September 1940 he is credited by one source for shooting down Hans-Joachim Marseille over the English Channel. Marseille survived, and would go on to achieve 158 victories to rank as the most successful German ace against the Western Allies. Bennions was severely wounded on 1 October 1940. That morning Bennions had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and was about to go on leave; when he was scrambled (in Spitfire I X4559) to intercept Messerschmitts. He shot down one of the raiders before a shell exploded in his cockpit, blinding him in the left eye and severely damaging his right arm and leg. Badly burned and bleeding heavily he struggled to bail out, and somehow managed to open his parachute before losing consciousness. He was found in a field near Hatfield, and taken to hospital where swift action saved his right eye, but nothing could be done for the left. Bennions was transferred to Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, where he was one of the first pilots in the care of Sir Archibald McIndoe, the pioneer of plastic surgery for the treatment for severe burns. As one of "Archie's Guinea Pigs", Bennions became a founder member of the Guinea Pig Club. Also, as one who had parachuted to save his life, he was eligible to join the Caterpillar Club. Following remarkable recovery from these injuries, Bennions became a fighter controller and was promoted to squadron leader. In January 1943 he was mentioned in dispatches. He later served in North Africa as a senior controller and liaison officer with an American Fighter Group equipped with Spitfires. With only a limited flying category he was permitted to fly on convoy patrols; but was not allowed to take part in combat operations. WE ARE UACC REGISTERED DEALERS NUMBER RD209 NOTE! We have noticed a few sellers putting the letters "UACC" in their item titles but failing to provide either a dealer or member number. You should view this practise with the utmost caution, any reputable dealer will provide this information on their listings directly without having to be asked. We are UACC Registered Dealers RD209 Visit our store!© Buyautographs Payment We accept Paypal Shipping Flat items are packaged in board backed envelopes with 'Please Do Not Bend' printed to the front. Items larger than 8x12 inches are usually sent in a sturdy tube. We are very happy to combine postage for multiple purchases. Return Policy Returns are accepted providing the item arrives back with us in the same condition as it was sent. About Us We are UACC Registered Dealer RD209. We continue to hold a large number of 'Private Signings' with Concorde Pilots, WWII Veterans, Celebrities and so on, in order to guarantee authenticity. We are UACC Registered Dealers RD209 _gsrx_vers_841 (GS 7.0.16 (841))
Price: 20 GBP
Location: Ashford, Kent
End Time: 2024-12-26T02:13:22.000Z
Shipping Cost: 7.01 GBP
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Return postage will be paid by: Seller
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
After receiving the item, your buyer should cancel the purchase within: 30 days
Return policy details: Returns accepted within 14 days of purchase.
Country Of Manufacture: United Kingdom
