BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 290, 5 September 1942, Page 8

BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Award Of Distinguished Flying Cross

ABLE AND FEARLESS PILOT

Official advice has been received by Air Headquarters, Wellington, that the Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to Acting-Squadron Leader Clive King Saxelby, R.A.F. The 'citation states that ActingSquadron Leader Saxelby is a most able and fearless pilot, and that he has shown himself to 'be fearless and determined in the face of enemy fire and grave situations, thus at all times proving an inspiration to his crew. Once, while he was flying over Karsrutefa, a British incendiary bomb fell into an engine nacelle of his machine and started a fire. Displaying great coolness in the circumstances, ActingSquadron Leader Saxelby turned oft the petrol supply to the engine, allowed it to run, dry of petrol and then switched it off. Fifteen minutes later the fire subsided and the damaged engine was restarted. During the whole of this procedure the aircraft was subject to intense anti-aircraft fire.

Having disposed of the outbreak of fire, Acting-Squadron Leader Saxelby was faced with a 500 miles flight back to his base in a bomber with a badl.v damaged, engine, and the handicap of having lost considerable height. Jettisoning his bombs in the industrial area, he made the return to his base, carefully nursing the damaged engine during the whole flight.' On arrival over his base, Acting-Squadron Leade" Saxelby found that one wheel of th" bomber was out of order through fire damage. He was successful, however, in executing a landing on one wheel. On another occasion, when returning from a might raid on Cologne, his air craft was attacked by an enemy fighter The second pilot was killed, the rear gunner wounded, and the machine severely damaged. The bomber then caught lire and began to dive out of control. Though unable to see, and almost choked by fumes, Acting-Squad-ron Leader Saxelby skilfully regained control at GOOO feet. He was again attacked, but by descending to 400 feet he was successfill in evading the attacker. Showing great courage, ActingSquadron Lender Saxelby then flew the damaged bomber back to his base and executed an excellent crash landing, without any further injury being suffered by the crew.

Acting-Squadron Leader Saxelby, D.F.C., who joined the Air Force before the outbreak of war, was born at Woodlands, Southland, and is 20 years of age. His next-of-kin is his sister, Miss E. M. Saxelby, who is now resident in Australia. He was educated at the Southland Boys’ High School, being a scholar at. that institution from 1934 to 1938. He was in the employ of a Christchurch retail firm for a short period after leaving school. In April, 1939, he was selected for a short service commission in the Royal Air . Force. His initial training was carried out with the Canterbury Aero Club a mouth later. Completing his New Zealand training, and commissioned in the rank of pilot officer, Acting-Squadron Leader Saxelby embarked for service in the Royal Air Force early in 1940.