Description:

R.A.F. PILOT'S FLYING LOG BOOK, 652 AIR O.P. SQUADRON
R.A.F. Pilot's log book maintained by Capt. A. J. Nicholson, D.F.C., Royal Artillery, flying with the 652 Air O.P. Squadron. The blue cloth covered book, 10" x 10" with printed title, bears Capt. Nicholson's name penned on every entry within its approx. 100 pages. The log book covers the period from Oct. 29, 1943 to July 8, 1949 with details on every one of the many dozens of training and combat flights described. 652 Air O.P. Squadron first saw action over Normandy on June 8, 1944 – two days after D-Day. Flying Auster Mark I and Mark III aircraft, it served mainly as an "air observation post" for land and sea-borne artillery, and was most notable in the shelling of Caen and Le Havre, and in operations in Belgium and Holland. The log shows extensive training leading up to D-Day, including night flights, instrument training, landing in fields, night photography, fire practice, beam tests, and so on. On June 10, 1944 Nicholson flew his Austen IV to Plumentot in France to commence action against German forces. There follows a huge amount of activity, including providing targeting information HMS Diadem, HMS Syrius, and a Polish cruiser, with some named targets including gantries at Caen, tank concentrations, enemy artillery and mortar positions, and so on. A great variety of notes, in very small part: "...Shot at by 20mm near Enrieville...Dropped message on 102 LAH...Night recce of Seine, No barges seen but many fires...Preliminary recce for OP. ASTONIA...40mm flak...Looking for movement on river by light of RAF flares...recce for crashed bombers...Guided 3 Dakotas...Recce of barges, bridges, etc...Barges in Willemstadt area. Bandit in area...Prepared to engage but petrol exhausted...Shoot at V-2 site...Watching bombing of Wesel. No flak seen...Spotted leading tanks. Shot at...Recce for tanks. Tracks only seen, but 5 vehs going into village...Photo recce of Elbe...Drop message on A & move over Elbe...Jet overhead..." Much more. The log traces Nicholson's advance across France, Belgium, and Holland with his bases named along the way. Covers a b bit worn and sunned, else very good.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

April 17, 2018 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000