CAPTURED PILOT DECORATED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 10, 7 October 1943, Page 4

CAPTURED PILOT DECORATED

Bar To His D.F.C. Recently reported missing, but now confirmed a prisoner of war, Flying Officer John Donald Rae, D.F.C., R.N.Z.A F., of Auckland, has been awarded the bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross, states information received by the Aair Department, Wellington. Flying Officer Rae’s recent capture by the eenmy was nothing if not dramatic, -and was the subject of a special correspondent’s dispatch to the New Zealand Press Association Flying Officer Rae, just before abandoning his aircraft by parachute over France, is reported to have said over the radio-telephone, “Say goodbye to the chaps for me.” He had previously reported, that his motor had cut out. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross toward the end of last year, Flying Officer Rae’s latest award pays high tribute to his qualities as a fighter' pilot. “Flying Officer Rae is an outstanding and determined pilot,” the citation observes, “and he has taken part in many sorties, displaying gallant leadership and great skill. Within recent weeks he has shot down four enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to at least 11. He has displayed exceptional keenness and devotion to duty.” Educated at the Auckland Grammar School, Flying Officer Rae, who was born in Auckland in 1919, applied for Air Force service the day that war broke out. Commencing his training the following year, he went overseas as a sergeant, m which rank he served in the New Zealand Fighter Squadron. Transferred to Malta, he raised his score of enemy aircraft destroyed to six and a half before being shot down himself. He was commissioned at the end of last year, and till his recent capture was a pilot in the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron. His next-of-kin is his mother, Mrs. H. A. Rae, who lives at 29 Grand View Road, Remuera, Auckland.