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Unknown'Careless Talk May Cost His Life' British Royal Air Force original WW2 Poster1941
1941
About the Item
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'Careless Talk May Cost His Life'
50 x 33.5 cm
Original RAF Poster (1941)
'Careless Talk May Cost His Life: Don't Talk About Aerodromes or Aircraft Factories.'
The photographed RAF pilot is John Ian Blair, who was with 113 Squadron from 1939 to Sept 1940. In Sept 1940 Corporal Blair, a non-pilot, safely landed the Blenheim bomber he was in after the pilot (P/O John Harry Reynolds) had been shot and killed.
He joined the RAF as a boy entrant and trained as an armourer, training and qualifying in the UK as an air gunner in 1936. Whilst serving with Middle East Command, during a bombing raid over Derna, Blair had just released the bombs on the aircraft when there was a loud bang and the aircraft began to dive. Seeing the pilot had been incapacitated, Blair seized the control column and brought the plane back to level flight. The air gunner removed the pilot from the pilot's seat and Blair took control of the aircraft - having never flown before. Heading back to base they had plenty of time to discuss their next actions. One option was to bale out and leave the aircraft to crash; Blair decided to try to land. Having watched this operation many times, he knew exactly what to do and made a slightly tail-heavy landing. The landing was reputedly witnessed by the AOC who said, 'If that airman can fly an aircraft without a training course it is time he was sent on one.' Blair was awarded an immediate DFM for the incident and left the squadron to train to be a pilot. He left the RAF as Squadron Leader.
HIs full tale is to be found on the 113 Squadron website.
Needless to say the PR team took full advantage of this tale, and this famous poster was the result.
His DFM citation reads as follows:
"550006 Acting Sergeant John Blair ,No 113 Squadron, Middle East Command.
On 4th September, 1940, during operations over Derna, when the pilot of the aircraft was killed instantly by enemy action, Sergeant Blair, the observer, succeeded in getting the aircraft under control and taking evasive action while the air gunner fought off the enemy aircraft. Assisted by the air gunner, he then removed the dead pilot from his seat and, without previous flying experience, achieved a safe landing after a flight of 350 miles. By his courage, devotion to duty and determination he saved the lives of both himself and the air gunner as well as saving the aircraft.”
London Gazette. 24.9.40
- Creation Year:1941
- Dimensions:Height: 19.69 in (50 cm)Width: 13.19 in (33.5 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Generally very good.
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU79538569202
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