Rare WW2 RAF special duties aircrew grouping of Mk viii flying goggles and leather flying gloves

A rare ww2 raf special duties aircrew grouping of mk viii flying goggles and leather flying gloves identified to warrant officer c. G. Daubney, air bomber, 148 squadron (special duties), documented crash & evasion in yugoslavia

A highly desirable set of original wartime raf mk viii flying goggles with accompanying leather flying gloves, each forming part of the operational flying equipment of warrant officer c. G. Daubney, rafvr, an air bomber with no. 148 squadron raf (special duties) during the second world war. The grouping is sold with printed supporting documentation, including copies of logbook entries and photographic material.

Biographical & operational background

Warrant officer c. G. Daubney enlisted 17 april 1942 and appears to have first trained as a pilot before subsequently qualifying as an air bomber, retaining his original pilot logbook through his later operational service. He served overseas with no. 148 squadron raf, operating from bases in italy in support of special operations executive (soe) missions into occupied europe. His wartime service is confirmed by his certificate of service & release, noting overseas service in italy and yugoslavia between 14 may 1944 – 14 august 1945, and the award of the 1939–45 star, france & germany star, italy star, defence medal and war medal 1939–45.

Of particular note is a remarkable and detailed logbook entry recording a clandestine special duties flight into yugoslavia, in which the aircraft crashed near tuzla, approximately 100 miles behind enemy lines, the aircrew subsequently evading capture, moving through belgrade, and ultimately returning to friendly control via bari, italy. Crash-and-evasion narratives recorded within logbooks of special duties squadrons are seldom encountered and represent significant research importance.

The squadron

No. 148 squadron raf served as a principal raf special duties unit during the italian campaign, conducting night operations to drop soe agents, arms, and supplies to resistance forces across the balkans and italy. Losses on these missions were heavy due to range, terrain, weather and flak, and surviving named aircrew artefacts from this squadron are scarce in private hands.

The items

Comprising:

• raf mk viii flying goggles, standard air ministry pattern, with original frame, 2 types of lenses (clear & shaded), leather components and fittings, exhibiting period operational wear consistent with aircrew use.

• raf leather flying gloves, gauntlet type, supple with patination and service wear typical of wartime flying gear.

Condition is commensurate with genuine service use, with no signs of post-war replacement or reproduction components.

Provenance & documentation

Sold with:

• printed copies of the original logbook page detailing the yugoslavia crash-evasion operation;
• printed copy of certificate of service & release showing operational theatres and dated service.

The original logbook and documents remain in private hands and are not included in the lot.

Statement of rarity

Named aircrew flying equipment from special duties personnel is exceptionally rare, particularly when accompanied by documented clandestine operations and successful evasion narratives. The presence of a detailed logbook entry linking this equipment to a discrete soe mission elevates the grouping far above standard examples of mk viii goggles or gloves found on the market.

Research potential

Considerable further research potential exists through:

• raf casualty & mi9 evasion files
• 148 squadron orbs (air 27 series)
• soe operational records (hs series)
• balkan air force archives
• resistance & liaison material relating to yugoslavia

Many such evasion cases are recorded in mi9 debriefs and yugoslav partisan documentation, and named artefacts with a direct link to the balkan special duties campaign are particularly sought after.

Conclusion

A superb and historically significant special duties aircrew grouping with documented clandestine operational provenance and crash-and-evasion narrative, representing a rare survival from one of the most hazardous branches of raf wartime operations.