THE AIR WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 55, 2 September 1943, Page 6

THE AIR WAR

NEW ZEALAND AWARDS

The latest' awards to New Zealand airmen are five Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Distinguished Flying Medals. Among those decorated are airmen who took part in the intensive air operations' which helped to defeat the enemy in North Africa and Sicily. The awards are as follows:—

Distinguished Flying Cross.—Flight Lieutenant Cyril Patrick Towsey; Mrs. C. Towsey, 12 City Road, Auckland (mother). Flight Lieutenant Roy Elliott Hanlon; Mr. T. E. Hanlon, 28 Boundary Road, Hamilton (father). Flying Officer Frederick James Read;

Mr.' P.. J. Read, • 8 Chatham Street, Berhampore, 'Wellington ' (father); Flying Officer Raymond Joseph Peterson; Mrs. M. R. -.Peterson, 81 Nelson Crescent, Napier (wife). Pilot Officer John Rex Wood, R.A.F. Distinguished Flying Medal.— Pilot Officer (formerly Sergeant) Bernard Cullinane; Mrs. G. D. Cullinane, Te Hau Station, Whatatutu, Gisborne (wife). Sergeant Pax Gilbert Frank Smith; Mr. B. J.-Smith, 212 Mt. Albert Road, Mt. Albert, Auckland. The citation accompanying Flying Officer Read's award states:

"Flying Officer Read is an air-gunner of .high merit and has taken 'part in many, sorties. . In July, 1943, he was the rear gunner of an aircraft raiding an airfield at.Gerbini, in Sicily, when it was attacked by an enemy plane. His skilful evading directions to the pilot and an accurate burst of fire at close range sent the attacker diving steeply out of control. His skill and vigilance contributed materially to the safe return of the aircraft and were typical of his efficiency." :

Flying Officer Read was educated at the Berhampore School and Wellington Technical College, and at the time of his enlistment with the R.N.Z.A.F. was employed in the Railway Workshops. He went overseas in 1940, direct to England, and received his air training in that country. He spent a considerable time in bombing raids over Germany and occupied Europe, and for a part of the time was an instructor in air gunnery. About six months ago he was sent to the Middle East. Before leaving New Zealand he played hockey for. the Technical College, and was a keen Rover Scout.