GALLANT AIRMEN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 244, 12 September 1940, Page 8

GALLANT AIRMEN

, FLYING CROSS AWARDED. NARVIK FLIGHT RECALLED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. Particulars regarding awards to New Zealand airmen have been released by the Director of Publicity. Two more New Zealanders have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, according to information received by Air Headquarters at Wellington this morning. They are Act-ing-Squadron-Leader Aubrey Arthur Ninnis Breckon and acting-Flight-Lieutenant Francis Edwin Eustace.

Acting Squadron-Leader Breckon conies from Northcote, Auckland, and is aged 2(3. According to the official citation “ho has participated ill 21. major bombing attacks in Germany, Holland, Belgium and France. He made a reconnaissance flight north of Narvik of a duration of 14.) hours undeterred by enemy action and had weather. He is a reliable and persistent long distance pilot and a cool, courageous, and determined leader.” His flight to Narvik is generally acknowledged as the record long distance flight of the first twelve months of the war, involving a distance of 2CKJO miles from Scotland and back through icy weather and severe storms. The flight was made by an aircraft of the New Zealand Squadron. Two other New Zealanders were in the crew, the navigator coming from Stratford and the wireless operator irom Auckland. Acting Squadron-Leader Breckon was a newspaper photographer in Auckland before being granted a short service commissioner in the It.A.F. Shortly before the war he was posted to the New Zealand Squadron in England, transferring to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. When the war broke out the squadron was placed at the disposal of the It.A.F. Ho has since played a conspicuous part in the squadron’s activities.

Acting Flight-Lieutenant Eustace, who is 24, was horn in Nelson and educated at the Taumarunui District High School and the Nelson College. He was accepted for a short service commissioned in the R.A.F. in 1937. CASUALTY ANNOUNCED.

The following casualty is officially announced : PILOT-OFFICER CHARLES DE VIC HALKETT, missing alter air operations. His mother is Mrs A. J. Canning, 24 Stafford Street, Wellington.