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| Medals of fighter pilot who shot down enemy while on fire fetch £100,000 | Medals of fighter pilot who shot down enemy while on fire fetch £100,000 |
| (9 months later) | |
| The medals and mementoes of a second world war fighter pilot who clambered back into his plane while it was on fire to shoot down an enemy aircraft have sold for almost £100,000. | The medals and mementoes of a second world war fighter pilot who clambered back into his plane while it was on fire to shoot down an enemy aircraft have sold for almost £100,000. |
| Mike Stephens prepared to parachute from his burning Hurricane plane in December 1941 but when he spotted a chance to launch a counter-attack against an enemy Messerschmitt he climbed back in and shot it down. | Mike Stephens prepared to parachute from his burning Hurricane plane in December 1941 but when he spotted a chance to launch a counter-attack against an enemy Messerschmitt he climbed back in and shot it down. |
| It was only then that the 22-year-old jumped to safety, while on fire. He beat out the flames as he parachuted to the ground and landed in a Libyan desert close to the German frontline. He had injured both feet but managed to hobble back to friendly lines and was picked up by Polish troops. | It was only then that the 22-year-old jumped to safety, while on fire. He beat out the flames as he parachuted to the ground and landed in a Libyan desert close to the German frontline. He had injured both feet but managed to hobble back to friendly lines and was picked up by Polish troops. |
| Stephens was awarded the distinguished service order (DSO). The original recommendation read: "Squadron Leader Stephens prepared to abandon aircraft but, when halfway out of the cockpit, he observed an enemy aircraft fly past him. | Stephens was awarded the distinguished service order (DSO). The original recommendation read: "Squadron Leader Stephens prepared to abandon aircraft but, when halfway out of the cockpit, he observed an enemy aircraft fly past him. |
| "He immediately regained his seat and shot down the enemy aircraft. Squadron Leader Stephens finally left his crippled aircraft by parachute and landed safely on the ground where he beat out the flames from his burning clothing. Although he had landed within 300 yards of the enemy's lines, Squadron Leader Stephens succeeded in regaining our own territory within three quarters of an hour. Throughout, this officer displayed great courage and devotion to duty." | "He immediately regained his seat and shot down the enemy aircraft. Squadron Leader Stephens finally left his crippled aircraft by parachute and landed safely on the ground where he beat out the flames from his burning clothing. Although he had landed within 300 yards of the enemy's lines, Squadron Leader Stephens succeeded in regaining our own territory within three quarters of an hour. Throughout, this officer displayed great courage and devotion to duty." |
| The DSO, together with other medals and mementoes including a log book, photographs and a flying helmet with oxygen mask, were sold at auction for a total of £93,600, almost doubling the estimate. | The DSO, together with other medals and mementoes including a log book, photographs and a flying helmet with oxygen mask, were sold at auction for a total of £93,600, almost doubling the estimate. |
| David Erskine-Hill, of the London-based medal specialist auction house Dix Noonan Webb, which sold the items, said Stephens had an "extraordinary" wartime career. | David Erskine-Hill, of the London-based medal specialist auction house Dix Noonan Webb, which sold the items, said Stephens had an "extraordinary" wartime career. |
| Stephens retired from the RAF in 1960 and worked in the aero-engines division of Rolls-Royce in Paris. He retired with his late wife Violet to the south of France before they returned to Britain. He died in 2004 aged 84. | Stephens retired from the RAF in 1960 and worked in the aero-engines division of Rolls-Royce in Paris. He retired with his late wife Violet to the south of France before they returned to Britain. He died in 2004 aged 84. |
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