BRAVERY REWARDED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 126, 27 April 1940, Page 9

BRAVERY REWARDED.

COOLNESS AND PLUCK. (British Official Wireless.) Received April 27, 12.12 p.m. RUGBY, April 2G. The King has approved the following awards" for "gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy." The Distinguished Flying Cross to Pilot-Officer M. G. Homer, and Distinguished Flying Medals to Corporal John Wallace, Acting-Corporal A. D. Coldicott and Flight-Sergeant G. A. Powell. Pilot-Officer Homer was the pilot of a Royal Air Force aircraft carrying out a high-level bombing attack on two enemy cruisers anchored in Christiansand Bay, South Norway. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and attacks by enemy fighters, he successfully pressed home his attack and his air gunner shot down an enemy fighter that burst into flames and crashed into the sea. Although his aircraft had been damaged, Homer skilfullypiloted it back to his base after a sea crossing of more than 400 miles. Acting-Corporal Coldicott was wireless operator and air gunner in PilotOfficer Homer's aircraft during this engagement, and he shot down the enemy fighter. Corporal Wallace was wireless operator and airgunner 'n another Royal Air Force aircraft engaged in an attack on enemy cruisers in Christiansand. Tliev were attacked bv nine enemv fighters, and Wallace displayed the greatest gallantry and coolness in the face of repeated attacks by superior numbers, and shot "down one of the enemy into the sea. Under wireless instructions from the formation leader, Wallace's aircraft escorted another that had been disabled until the tattev was lorced to alight on the sea. His accuracy in giving its position enabled a vessel to reach the scene and effect a rescue.

Flight-Sergeant Powell was the captain of a Royal Air I 1 orce aircraft taking part early in April in a low flving attack on Stavanger aerodrome. Tins Was pressed home with the greatest determination in the fact,, of intense anti-aircraft and machine-gun fire. The aircraft received three direct hits, the first of which wounded Powell in a shoulder and the left side, and severely damaged the aircraft. He immediately dived near to the Ground and made his escape to sea. Despite Ins wounds and loss,,of blood, and difficulty in controlling his damaged aircraft, he succeeded in reaching his homo base —a distance of 370 miles—in extremely bad weather at night.