RESCUE FROM BLAZING PLANE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 233, 29 June 1944, Page 4

RESCUE FROM BLAZING PLANE

Conspicuous Bravery HONOUR FOR BOMBER CAPTAIN

Conspicuous bravery in rescuing a bomb aimer and endeavouring to rescue a gunner from the blazing wreckage of a crashed bomber resulted in acting Flight Lieutenant Charlie Eddy, Wellington, being made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, according to advice received from London by the Air Department. Flight Lieutenant Eddy was killed on active service in April of this year. The citation to the award states that Flight Lieutenant Eddy was pilot and captain of an aircraft which crashed when attempting an emergency landing and immediately burst into flames. . He received concussion as well as injuries to his scalo and spine. In spite of his injuries Flight Lieutenant Eddy remained in the aircraft and assisted the bomb aimer fj-oir the overturned second pilot’s seat. After he was clear of the aircraft, he learnt that one of his crew was absent, so he went back into the blazing wreckage and, assisted by a medical officer, vainly tried to extricate the midupper gynner, who was trapped in the turret. . It was not 'till fumes and heat made further rescue work impossible that Flight Lieutenant Eddy was persuaded to abandon his efforts. His face w-as scorched and he collapsed immediately after leaving the aircraft. “He showed gallantry in dangerous circumstances and his unselfishness was instrumental in saving the bomb-aimer's life,” the citation adds.

Flight Lieutenant Eddy joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in September, 1939, as a transport driver, and he subsequently became a. sergeant in firecrew. He was remustered to aircrew and started his training' at Levin in September, 1941. and was commissioned as a pilot in April of the following year. He was wounded on air 'operations early last year, and was killed last April when the Wmber of which be was captain was shot down by an enemy tighter when It was about to land in England. Flight Lieutenant Eddy was born In 1914 in Hamilton, Australia, where his father, Mr. M. E. Eddy, still resides. In Australia he served for four years with two voluntary light horse units. Before his enlistment he was employed by the Wellington Fire Board.