Many Brave Acts Are Acknowledged In Air Crew Awards

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1942, Page 4

Many Brave Acts Are Acknowledged In Air Crew Awards

Press Assn.

Wellington. Last Night.

Citations attached to awards recently Sven New Zealand airmen are as folws:— „ Wing-Commander M. V. Blake, D.F.C., Christchurch, who has received the Distinguished Service Order: During the past 10 months he has completed numerous sorties, including several attacks on enemy shipping, and rendered valuable service and leadership of the highest order. He has destroyed at least nine enemy aircraft. Acting Flight-Lieutenant V. Allport, Nelson, receives the Distinguished Flying Cross: He joined the squadron in August, 1941. and took part ii} several shipping sweeps over the North Sea before going overseas. In November last vear he was pilot in an aircraft attacking a large supply vessel with destroyer escort. In heavy rain and poor visibility he made the attack. leaving the ship on fire. Pilot Officer J. E. Casey, French Bay. Auckland, receives the Distinguished Flying Cross: He took part in numerous sorties over heavily defended targets. In April this year iie performed excellent work during an attack on Essen. He has shown exceptional keenness to undertake any task and is most conscientious. Pilot Offlcer A. . W. G. Cochrane, D.F.C., Hawera, was employed as captain of an aircraft and completed attack® with skill, courage, determination and fearlessness in the face of danger, the citation says. He inspired a high standard of morale. His crew has attacked many important targets, including Brest, Cologne, Bremen and Hamburg. Acting Flying Officer G. M. Davies, D.F.C., Dunedin, took part in numerous operational missions. including attacks on such heavily defended targets as Wilhelmshaven, Brest, Hamburg, Kiel and Essen. His navigation is invariably of the highest order and his determina-^ tion to ensure accurate bombing is most' notable. He set a courageous example, Acting Flying OfRcer D. S. Gibb, D.F.C., Motunau: He took part in numerous attacks on industrial targets and shipping and dockyard installations. He was an excellent captain, thorough and determined, and by his own example he instilled his aircraft crew with the fina fighting spirit that was largely responsible for the successes obtained. He displayed great courage and devotion to duty. Squadron-Leader R. J. Newton, D.F.C., Christchurch, carried out many sorties as captain of his aircraft and displayed great skill and determination. He has several times flown his aircraft safely back, though it was severely damaged. He is an excellent bomber pilot and an Outstandine captain who has set a splendid exsmrne. Acting Flight Lieutenant R. L. Spurdle, DJ".C., Wanganui, is a keen and determined pilot. He has destroyed five . enemy machines and probably four more and has damaged several more enemy aircraft and by his devotion to duty he has set a praiseworthy example. Acting Squadron-Leader K. F. Thiele, D.F.C., Christchurch, has shown great skili and has pressed attacks regardless of opposition. He is a fine leader and courageous flight commander and has set a most praiseworthy example. He attacked Berlin, Wilhelmshaven, Brest, Essen. Cologne. Emden and other targets. Pilot Officer P. S. Duff, D.F.C., Hamilton, has completed many sorties involving attacks on a wide range of enemy targets as navigator, bomb-aimer and later as captain of aircrafts. He has taken part in sorties, including heavy raids on Cologne and Essen and has shown courage and zeal of the highest order. Sergeant K. O. Law, Cambridge, awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, possesses commendable courage and has a fine record of achievement won by exceptional fearlessness in the face of danger. In April, 1942, when in combat with an enemy aircraft in the North Sea his aircraft was seriously damaged and set afire. He flew back to the base and made a perfect landing in the dark with the wheels retracted.