FEAT OF GALLANTRY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 228, 23 June 1944, Page 4

FEAT OF GALLANTRY

New Zealand Air Pilot Decorated

Wounded in the leg, arms and throat when his aircraft was struck by flak, a Beaufighter pilot. Flight Sergeant M. LLangley, R.N.Z.A.F., formerly of Wellington, finished his attack on a German ship and brought his damaged aircraft safely back to base. For this and other displays of courage and fortitude he has been awarded (he Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, according to advice received from the Air Ministry, London. A cable message from London states that Flight Sergeant Langley made such a good landing that ambulance men summoned to meet the plane thought they had misunderstood the message. The navigator, whose home is in ;Essex, England, said they had been making' a reconnaissance over the Dutch coast when they came on « large enemy convoy. Anti-aircraft guns protecting the ships obtained hits on the Beaufighter. The navigator added: “In spite of his wounds Langley dived to silence some of the guns, apparently thinking of the chaps in the aircraft coming behind us.” The citation which accompanies the award states: “Flight Sergeant Langley has taken part in many attacks on enemy shipping and set a fine example of skill and dash. Last month he took part iu an attack on a heavily armed convoy and obtained a hit on one of the vessels. He also used his machineguns to good effect on two mine-sweepers. Some days later he and his navigator were again in action against enemy shipping. At the start of the fight. Flight Sergeant Langley was wounded in the arms, throat and thigh, but he pressed home the attack and then flew his aircraft buck to base. He displayed courage and fortitude of the highest order.” Flight Sergeant Langley’s R.A.F. navigator was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Medal for his part in the same operations. On the return flight following the attack in wl 'ch the pilot was wounded he attended to Flight Sergeant Langley and did all in his power to help him reach Great Britain.

Flight Sergeant Langley is a son of Mrs. R. Langley, of Sydney. He was bom In Dunedin in 1920 and received his early education at the Musselburgh School, completing his education in Australia. lie returned to New Zealand and before his enlistment in the R.N.Z.A.F. he was emploj’ed by A. Goodman, furrier. Wellington. A brother is Mr. D. Langley, Princes Street, Dunedin.

His Majesty the King hns been pleased to approve of the retention of tbe title “Honourable” by Mr. W. E. Barnard, of Tauranga, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.