BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 258, 30 July 1942, Page 5

BRAVERY IN THE AIR

(Received July 29, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, July 29. •Pilot Officer Gray Stenborg, Auckland, and Flight Sergeant David Ronald Stewart, Dunedin, nave been awarded the D.F.C. and D.F.M. respectively. lhe citations say that Stenborg has displayed great determination and keenness to engage the enemy. This month he encountered a superior force of enemy fighters escorting bombers and destroyed two and dispersed the remainder, enabling other R.A.F. fighters to attack the bombers. A few days later he shot down two enemy fighters. He has now destroyed eight. Stewart captained an aircraft. detailed to attack enemy armoured units and motorized forces. He made several bombing attacks and then dived low and carried out two machinegun attacks. An enemy fighter severely damaged his aircraft with machinegun and cannon fire. Stewart skilfully evaded the attacker and flew back to his base, where he safely landed with his undercarriage retracted. The following New Zealanders also attended the Palace and received the D.F.C.: Wing Commander RamsbottomIshcrwood, Flight Lieutenants W. C. Compton and G. Francis, and Flying Officer W. A. Newnham. _ The lastnamed, who comes from Nelson, is attached to the Canadian Air Force.