| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL29307.002 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Medal |
| Physical description | Bronze |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom |
| Date made | c 1946 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
1939-45 Star : Flying Officer L A Einsaar, RAAF, 14 Squadron, RAF
Description
1939-45 Star. Engraved reverse with recipient's details.
History / Summary
407318 Sergeant (later Flying Officer) Leonard Alexander 'Toppy' Einsaar was born in New South Wales in 1913. He served as a policeman in the 1930s and was also an Olmpic rower. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in September 1940 and trained as pilot. He was allocated to 14 Squadron RAF and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Medal in November 1942. On 12 April 1943 Einsaar and his crew were forced to ditch their aircraft off Sicily when it was damaged by a German attacker. Five of his crew survived and they were imprisoned first by the Italians and then by the Germans. They eventually escaped and were sheltered by Italian families before they were able to arrange a rendevous with a British motor torpedo boat in 1944. They were evacuated first to Naples and then to Cairo. Einsaar was discharged from the RAAF in November 1945.