WW2 RCAF DFC GROUP TO SQN. LDR. C. A. RHUDE

A Second War 1945 Lancaster Pilot’s D.F.C. group of seven awarded to Squadron Leader C. A. Rhude, Royal Canadian Air Force, who flew in at least 36 operational sorties with 576 and 550 Squadrons.

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with Overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Forces Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, with Second Award Bar (S/L C. A. Rhude) mounted for wear. Generally very fine. D.F.C. London Gazette 17 July 1945:

"This young Canadian Captain of a Lancaster bomber has now completed 36 bombing sorties, many of which have been long and arduous flights deep into the heart of Germany, necessitating mental and physical strain whilst exposed to fighter and flak opposition. His powers of endurance and concentration on reaching the target have not been appreciably affected, as he then executed vigorous and determined attacks the accuracy of which have been amply proved by the photographic evidence he has brought back. By such excellent results verifying the accuracy with which he presses home his attacks, it is evident that Flight Lieutenant Rhude goes through all enemy opposition, and lets nothing deter him from his primary objective. It is recommended that such gallantry throughout his operational tour be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

Cecil Anderson Rhude was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia in 1918. He was educated at Brown School, New Glasgow and Acadia University. Rhude enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Halifax in May 1941, and carried out his initial pilot training at No. 1 I.T.S. Trenton, and No. 20 E.F.T.S., Oshawa, Toronto. He was posted to the UK in January 1942, and having advanced to Flight Sergeant was commissioned Pilot Officer in December 1942. Rhude was posted for operational flying with 576 Squadron (Lancasters) at Elsham Wolds, in September 1944. He flew in at least nine operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Duisburg; Wilhelmshaven; Stuttgart; Essen (2);Cologne (2); Dusseldorf and Bochum. Rhude was posted to 550 Squadron (Lancasters) at Waltham (Grimsby), 8 November 1944. He flew in at least 27 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Dortmund (3); Duren; Wanne Eickel; Karlsruhe; Mersberg (2); Essen (2); Ludwigshaven (2); Ulm; Koblenz; Cologne;Osterfield; Zeitz; Hamborn; Wiesbaden;Cleve; Dresden; Chemnitz; Duisburg; Pforzheim; Dessau; Kassel and Erin.

Rhude returned to Canada in April 1945, and advanced to Flight Lieutenant in October 1946, and to Squadron Leader in January 1952. He was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1953, and Second Award Bar in 1963. Rhude was discharged 31 May 1965.

Comes with an unsigned painting of a Lancaster with Canadian marks - this framed and glazed, and mounted with a small plaque ‘S/L C. A. Rhude D.F.C.,C.D. R.C.A.F. 550 Squadron R.A.F.’; and copied research, including photographic images of recipient in uniform.

Code: 50150