JS(CC)62d FDC produced to mark the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Berlin Airlift. The cover artwork by Tony Theobald shows a RAF Avro York, Douglas C-47 Dakota, USAF Douglas C-54 and an American Dakota being unloaded at Tempelhof airport. The cover has been flown in a No 10 Squadron VC 10 on a VIP flight to Berlin Tegel and return.

The cover bears a single 1st Class Definitive cancelled with The Berlin Airlift - 75th Anniversary - Oakington Cambridge  postmark for the 26 June 2023 showing a Dakota aircraft.

The cover is signed by Major General Peter Downward CB DSO DFC an army pilot who took part in the airlift and also Air Vice-Marshal Frank Johnson CB OBE CIMgt who took part in the airlift.

Official special numbered and certfied on the reverse.

Major General Peter Downward CB DSO DFC
Peter Downward joined the Army in 1942 and joined The South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Volunteers) in 1943. He served with 13th Battalion (Lancs) Parachute Regiment in North-West Europe, India and the Far East between 1944-46. He saw service in Greece and Palestine and 1947, before being transferred to Glider Pilot Regiment in 1948. Due to a shortage of RAF pilots he took part in the Berlin Airlift in 1949. He was involved in the Korean War from 1951-53. He saw service with the 1st Battalion The South Lancs Regiment (PWV) in Egypt in 1953-54. Returning to the UK he became an Instructor at the Light Aircraft School in 1955, attending the RAF Staff College in 1958. he was a member of the War Office 1959-60. In 1961 he went to Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhein (BAOR) and was promoted Brigade Major 127 Brigade in 1964. He was Commander 4th Battalion The East Lancs Regiment during 1965-66 and then Commander 1st Battalion The Lancs Regiment (PWV) in Aden 1966-67. In 1968 he was posted to Allied Forces Northern Europe, Oslo. He then became an Instructor at the School of Infantry in 1970. In 1971 he was Commander Berlin Infantry Brigade, before becoming Commandant School of Infantry in 1974. He was General Officer Commanding (GOC) West Midland District in 1976 and then Colonel, The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment 1978-83. Colonel Commandant, The King’s Division ~ 1979-83.  Awarded the DFC in 1952 and the DSO in 1967.

Air Vice Marshal Frank Sidney Roland Johnson CB OBE CIMgt
Frank Johnson joined the RAF in 1935 and served during WWII. He took part in the Berlin Airlift in 1948/49. He was a member of the Directing Staff, RAF Staff College from 1958-60 and then Commanding Officer 113 Maintenance Unit, RAF Nicosia Cyprus. In 1963 he posted as Chief Instructor Equipment and Secretarial Wing, RAF College, Cranwell and then Deputy Director, MOD in 1965. he attended the Imperial Defence College in 1967, and then given of the staff position of Chief Supply Officer, Fighter and Strike Commands in 1968. He was Director­General of Supply, RAF from 1971 to 73. Having left the RAF he became Supply Manager, British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), Saudi Arabia from 1974 to 76, and then Base Manager, BAC Royal Saudi Air Force, Khamis Mushayt, Saudi Arabia from 1976-77 and then Dhahran ~ 1978-82We usually have lots of other items up for sale so why not have a look