Australian RAF Flight Lieutenant Harold 'Micky' Martin meets King George VI at RAF Scrampton, Lincolnshire, England, 27 May 1943. The King was touring Lincolnshire bomber stations but made a special visit to Scrampton in the aftermath of the famous dam raid by No. 617 Squadron RAF. Martin, one of the legends of Bomber Command and described by one historian as a 'natural flying genius', participated in the raid and was given an immediate award of the DSO. It was no surprise that Martin was selected for this special squadron, and for its first dramatic operation, as he was well known for his low flying ability, developed to avoid anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters. Martin became one of the most decorated flyers in Bomber Command, being awarded the DSO twice and the DFC three times. After the war he stayed on in the RAF, where he had a distinguished career, rising to be Commander in Chief of the RAF in Germany. He later had a seat on the Air Council, which controlled the RAF. Sir Harold Martin died in London in 1988. [AWM P02018.197]
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