GALLANT AIRMEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1940, Page 5

GALLANT AIRMEN

DECORATIONS FOR OVERSEA OFFICERS. NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) LONDON May 1. The award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flying-Officer W. H. Edwards, of New South Wales, adds another name to the list of distinguished Dominions flying men. Flying-Officer Edwards was the pilot of one of the R.A.F. aircraft which left to attack the Stavanger aerodrome and seaplane base early in April. The weather was so bad that other aircraft, were compelled to abandon the task, but Flying-Officer Edwards succeeded in getting through, attacked the objectives and obtained valuable information. On the previous day he was the pilot of one of a number of aircraft ordered to attack the same objectives. Despite a heavy snowstorm, which forced him to fly very low, he reached his target and attacked in the face of heavy anti-air-craft fire. When returning he attacked a Dornier seaplane with his guns and scored hits. Other awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flight-Lieuten-ant P. W. Townsend, who, while on a patrol over the North Sea intercopled and shot down an enemy aircraft. This was his third success.