AWARD OF D.F.C.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 217, 12 September 1940, Page 8

AWARD OF D.F.C.

AUCKLAND PILOT. SQUADRON-LEADER BRECKON. WELLINGTON, this day. Two more New Zealandere have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, according to .information received at Air Headquarter*, Wellington, this morning. They are: Acting-Squadron Leader Aubrey Arthur Xinnis Breckon and Acting-Flight Lieutcjiant Francis Edwic Eustace. Sqiiadron>Leader fireckon comes from Northeote, Auckland, and ie aged 26. The official citation state*: "SquadronLeader Breckon participated in 21 major bombing attacks on Germany, Holland. Belgium and France. He made a reconnaisance flight north of Narvik of a duration of 14* hours, undeterred by enemy action and bad weather. He is a reliable and persistent long-distant pilot, and a cool, courageous and determined leader."

The flight to Narvik u> generally acknowledged ae the record long-distance flight of the iirtit twelve months of the war, involving a distance of 2000 miles from Scotland and back, through icy weather and severe etorme. The flight was made by an aircraft of the New Zealand Squadron. There were two other New Zealanders in the crew, the navigator coining from Stratford and the wireless operator from Auckland. Squadron-Loader Breckon was a newspaper photographer in Auckland be.fore being granted a short service commission with the New Zealand K.A.K. Shortly before the war he was posted to the New Zealand Squadron in England, transferring to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. When war broke out the squadron was placed at the disposal of the K.A.F. Flight-Lieutenant Breckon line since played a conspicuous part in the squadron's activities. Fliaht-Lieutenant Eustace, who is 21, was born in Nelson and educated at the Tauniariinm District High School and Nelson College. He was accepted for a i-hort service commission in the K.A.F. in 1937.—(Press Asen.)