GALLANT RECORD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 255, 25 September 1940, Page 8

GALLANT RECORD

BALLOON CREWS PRAISED

(United Press Association—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 9.20 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 24. The gallantry and devotion to duty of the. balloon crews are warmly praised in the following message from Air Chief Marshal Sir Cyril Newall to Air Vice Marshal Boyd (Air Officer Commanding the Balloon Command): — “At the conclusion of a year of war, I must convey to you my admiration of the splendid way in which the balloon crews in your command have performed their duties. - They have throughout been called upon to work long hours, often in conditions of niucli discomfort and exposed to all weathers. “Until recently your command have had few opportunities for service of a spectacular nature. On the other hand, their success cannot he measured by the number of enemy aircraft they bring down, hut by the general efficiency with which they play their part in the air defence. By keeping the enemy bombers and fighters at a height where they can be effectively engaged by our fighters or anti-aircraft fire they have been invaluable members of a team upon the success of whose whole operations the safety of the entire country depends. With the opening up of the air warfare over this country on a large scale during the past month many balloon crews have carried out duties of a most spectacular successful nature, often under- heavy attack from the enemy.”