Michael Shand Nazi POW Camp Survivor Neville Duke Spitfire MULTI Hand Signed FDC

STB031 This is stunning collectors official limited Spitfire first day cover hand signed by three historic war veterans being Michael Shand, John Pattison and Neville Duke where the signatures rests perfectly accompanying the special hand commemorative franks.  This comes with full lifetime COA as the signings have been officially certified by the publishers with full hallmarking and authenticity of the series further detailed in absolute brand new mint condition. You wont source better.

Fighter pilot Mick Shand (1915-2007) twice escaped narrowly with his life, once during the Battle of Britain and later in the aftermath of the Great Escape from a Nazi prisoner of war camp. Shand was posted to 54 Squadron at Hornchurch on the outskirts of London in late August 1940 as the Battle of Britain approached its climax. He flew his first sortie as number two to dashing New Zealander Alan Deere who told him to stay close and just watch what was going on.
On his next flight, on the evening of August 25, Shand was hit by an enemy Me 109 and made a forced landing. A wounded arm kept him in hospital for several months and it was not until October the next year that he returned to action with 485 (NZ Spitfire) Squadron. Shand became a skilled pilot and flight commander, specialising in low-level attacks on German transport across the Channel. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in September 1942 after his 60th sortie but the same month was shot down while trying to destroy a train in Holland. Imprisoned in the notorious Stalag Luft 3 Sagan southeast of Berlin, Shand took part in the famous Great Escape of March 1943 when 76 RAF officers tunnelled their way to freedom.  Almost all the escapers were recaptured and 50, including three New Zealanders, were murdered on Hitler's orders.  Shand was on the point of escaping when a guard stumbled on the tunnel outlet and raised the alarm   He dashed to freedom in nearby trees as the guard fired but was soon recaptured. The New Zealander was lodged in a jail near Sagan for interrogation and was one of the lucky survivors who were not picked for execution.