Medals, Mounted Set: Group Captain James Brian 'Willie' Tait

Mounted set of eight medals comprising the following decorations (viewed from left to right): Distinguished Service Order (1941) and 3 Bars (1943, 1944, 1945); Distinguished Flying Cross (1940) and Bar (1944); 1939-1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star (with France & Germany clasp); Africa Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-1945 (with MiD oakleaf device); Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. The medals and their ribbons are mounted on a strip of metal which has a metal brooch-style fastening on the back.

Awarded to Group Captain James Brian 'Willie' Tait DSO & Three Bars DFC & Bar, one of the most decorated British Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War.

James Brian ‘Willie’ Tait, born 9 December 1916 in Manchester, joined the Royal Air Force in 1934 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1936. Following the completion of his flying training at RAF Cranwell, Tait was posted to 10 (Bomber) Squadron at RAF Boscombe Down, where he flew the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber. In April 1940, Tait was posted to 51 Squadron at RAF Dishforth, and undertook his first bombing operation of the Second World War on 2 May 1940, against German targets in Oslo, Norway, and later took part in the first British bombing raids on Italy (11 June 1940) and Berlin (25 August 1940). Given command of the squadron in late 1940, Tait then led the air element of Britain's first ever airborne operation, Operation Colossus (10 February 1941), which targeted an aqueduct in southern Italy. Shortly after Colossus, for which Tait was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), he joined 35 Squadron, the first RAF squadron to operate the Handley Page Halifax bomber. With 35 Squadron, Tait led a successful daylight raid on the German naval base at Kiel on 30 June 1941, for which he was awarded a Bar to his DSO. He then took temporary command of 10 Squadron in May 1942, leading them on the first two 'Thousand Bomber Raids' to Cologne and Essen on 30 May 1942 and 1 June 1942 respectively, after which he commanded 78 Squadron from July to November 1942. After a period of rest from operations, which Tait spent at Bomber Command Headquarters and then at two Operational Training Units (OTU), Tait was appointed Master Bomber of 5 Group RAF in May 1944, operating from RAF Coningsby. On the night of 5/6 June 1944, Tait led a formation of 200 Lancaster bombers from 5 Group to attack the German gun battery at St Pierre du Mont, near Omaha Beach, in advance of the D-Day landings. Shortly after, in July 1944, Tait took command of the elite 617 Squadron, also known as the ‘Dambusters’ squadron, succeeding Leonard Cheshire VC. With 617 Squadron, Tait led specialist attacks on difficult targets, including U-Boat and S-Boat pens and V-1 and V-2 sites, often using 12,000 pound 'Tallboy' bombs, and with Tait frequently leading the Lancasters from the front and target-marking in a De Havilland Mosquito or a P-51 Mustang. Under Tait, 617 Squadron also continued dambusting operations, notably carrying out a successful raid on sluice gates of the Kembs Barrage in October 1944, which led to Tait being awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Perhaps most notably, Tait led the raids that finally sunk the German battleship Tirpitz on 15 September 1944 (Operation Paravane), 28 October 1944 (Operation Obviate) and 12 November 1944 (Operation Catechism). On the final operation, Tait's Lancaster scored a direct hit on the battleship, followed by direct hits from two other Lancasters. For his leadership on these operations as well as the sheer number of significant operations he took part in over the course of the war, he was recommended for the Victoria Cross, but was instead awarded a Third Bar to his DSO, making him only one of sixteen British Commonwealth service personnel to be awarded the DSO and Three Bars. Having flown 101 operations, Tait was rested from operations in December 1944 and posted to various RAF headquarters. He remained in the RAF until 1964, and served as Aide-de-Camp to Queen Elizabeth II from 1959. By the end of his RAF career, he had amassed 3,069 flying hours and had flown 33 different aircraft types.

The citations for these awards read as follows: Bar to Distinguished Service Order The London Gazette, 25 July 1941 Squadron Leader James Brian TAIT, D.S.O., D.F.C. (33291), No. 35 Squadron. In June, 1941, this officer was the captain of the leading aircraft of a formation of three Aircraft which carried out an attack on Kiel in clear daylight. Despite accurate anti-aircraft fire, bombs were dropped and observed to burst on the objective. The success which attended this operation was largely due to the magnificent leadership and courage together with the brilliant airmanship displayed by this officer. Second Bar to Distinguished Service Order Supplement to The London Gazette, 22 September 1944 Wing Commander James Brian. TAIT, D.S.O., D.F.C. (33291), R.A.F., 617 Sqn. Since he was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order this officer has completed many sorties against targets in enemy-occupied territory and Germany. On several occasions Wing Commander Tait has remained in the immediate vicinity of the target area, often in the face of heavy opposition, for a considerable time. His excellent leadership, gallantry and untiring devotion to duty have contributed materially to the successes achieved by the squadron he commands. Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette, 5 December 1944 Wing Commander James Brian TAIT, D.S.O., D.F.C. (33291), R.A.F., 617 Sqn. Recently, this officer led a formation of aircraft in an attack on the sluice gates of the Kembs Barrage. When nearing the target considerable light anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Nevertheless Wing Commander Tait led his formation into the attack with his usual skill and determination. Although his aircraft was hit and sustained damage, Wing Commander Tait pressed home his attack with precision. Some time previously this officer flew with great distinction in a successful attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. He displayed the highest standard of devotion to duty in both attacks on dangerous and difficult targets. Third Bar to Distinguished Service Order Third Supplement to The London Gazette, 9 January 1945 Wing Commander James Brian TAIT, D.S.O., D.F.C. (33291), R.A.F., 617 Sqn. This officer has displayed conspicuous bravery and extreme devotion to duty in the face of the enemy, constantly exemplified over a long period of operational flying. He has completed a very large number of sorties, many of them against most dangerous and difficult targets and the successes obtained are a magnificent tribute to his brilliant leadership and unsurpassed skill. On 3 occasions, Wing Commander Tait has led attacks on the German battleship "Tirpitz ". The last occasion was on 12th November, 1944. The vessel was lying at Tromso. Visibility was good as Wing Commander Tait led his squadron in to the attack. In spite of continuous fire from 3 ships and from land batteries, the attack was pressed home. The first bomb, dropped by Wing Commander Tait, hit the Tirpitz. Another hit was obtained almost immediately and another 12,000 Ib. bomb fell close alongside. The battleship caught fire and smoke poured from her. Finally, she capsized. By his outstanding skill and leadership, Wing Commander Tait played a prominent part in the success of the operation. This officer has completed 98 sorties and throughout has set an example of a high order.

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