RAF squadron leader Les Munro, the sole surviving member of the legendary Dambuster raids, is to auction his medals for charity.
Valued at up to £40,000-50,000 ($61,368-76,710), the set will be sold to provide upkeep for the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, London.
 Les Munro is the sole surviving member of the Dambuster raids |
They are due to sell at Dix Noonan Webb on March 25.
Munro said: "My reasons for donating my medals and my flying log books to the RAF Benevolent Fund and, more particularly, the Bomber Command Memorial, were prompted by my visit to the memorial in May 2013.
"I could not help but think of the cost of its ongoing maintenance and, with the feelings of the descendants of those 55,573 [the number of Bomber Command crew who died during the second world war] in mind, believe that every effort should be made to maintain the memorial in the best possible condition."
The Dambusters targeted three dams in Germany using a groundbreaking "bouncing bomb". The operation led to widespread flooding and the disruption of the German food supply. It's considered one of the greatest feats in the history of the RAF.
Mike Neville, director of the RAF Benevolent Fund, commented: "It is our great honour to maintain the Bomber Command Memorial for future generations, as a lasting symbol of all that the young men in Bomber Command did in defence of our freedom.
"We are enormously grateful to Les Munro for the donation of his medals and log books, which will help the RAF Benevolent Fund preserve the memorial and the legacy of Bomber Command, so that the sacrifices made by these brave young men will not be forgotten."
A bomb sight used during the mission made £41,500 ($63,622) at JP Humbert earlier this year.
Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about medals and militaria auctions.
