RARE - RAF SC 30 AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR KEITH PARK SIGNED BATTLE OF BRITAIN COVER for Sale

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RARE - RAF SC 30 AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR KEITH PARK SIGNED BATTLE OF BRITAIN COVER For Sale

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RARE - RAF SC 30 AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR KEITH PARK SIGNED BATTLE OF BRITAIN COVER:
$376.58

RAF SC 30 BATTLE OF BRITAIN 31st ANNIVERSARY COVER SIGNED BY ACM SIR KEITH PARK

Signed by :: Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park GCB,KBE,MC*,DFC

Air Chief MarshalSir Keith Rodney Park,GCB,KBE,MC&Bar,DFC(15 June 1892 – 6 February 1975) was a New Zealand-born officer of theRoyal Air Force(RAF). During theSecond World War, his leadership of the RAF'sNo. 11 Groupwas pivotal to the defeat of theLuftwaffein theBattle of Britain.

Born inThames, Park was amarinerwhen he enlisted in theNew Zealand Expeditionary Forcefor service in the First World War. Posted to the artillery, he fought in theGallipoli campaign, during which he transferred to theBritish Army. On theFront, he was present for theBattle of the Sommeand was wounded. He obtained another transfer, this time to theRoyal Flying Corps. Once his flight training was completed, he served as an instructor before being posted toNo. 48 Squadronon the Western Front. He became aflying ace, achieving several aerial victories and eventually commanding the squadron.

In the interwar period, Park served with the RAF in a series of command and staff postings, including a period asair attachéin South America. By the late 1930s, he was serving inFighter Command, asAir MarshalHugh Dowding's senior air staff officer. The two worked to devise tactics and management strategies for the air defence of the United Kingdom. Soon after the outbreak of the Second World War, Park was given command of No. 11 Group, responsible for the defence of South East England and London. Owing to its strategic significance and geographic location in relation to theLuftwaffe, No. 11 Group bore the brunt of the German aerial assault during the Battle of Britain. Park's management of his fighter aircraft and pilots helped ensure that Britain retained air superiority along theEnglish Channel.

Relieved of command after the Battle of Britain, Park served in a training role before being posted to the Middle East asAir Officer Commanding, Egypt, in late 1941. Midway through the following year, he took charge of the aerial defences of Malta, then underheavy attackfrom theLuftwaffeand theRegia Aeronautica(Italian Air Force). When the siege was lifted Park transitioned Malta's RAF forces from a defensive role into an offensive footing in preparation for theAllied invasion of Sicily. From 1944, he held senior roles in the Middle East and in British India. He retired from the RAF in 1946 as an air chief marshal. Returning to New Zealand, he worked in the aviation industry for a British aircraft manufacturer and then became involved in local body politics inAuckland. He died from heart problems in February 1975.