GALLANT FRENCH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1940, Page 5

GALLANT FRENCH

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO TROOPS

PRIDE IN GREAT COURAGE & FIERCE ENERGY. BATTLE THAT WILL LIVE IN HISTORY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. PARIS, May 30. President Lebrun sent the following message to General Blanchard, commanding the French forces in Flanders:— “While the French troops under your orders, in full collaboration with the British Expeditionary Force and with the help of the Allied Navies, are fighting a battle which will have a foremost place in military history, I send you the grateful greetings of your country. All Frenchmen unite in expressing to you warm admiration of the great courage and fierce energy of our soldiers and of the new glory with which they are adorning our flags.” HIGH COURAGE BRITISH SQUADRON-LEADER DECORATED. TRIBUTE TO INSPIRING LEADERSHIP. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 30. An award of the Distinguished Service Order is announced to SquadronLeader E. M. Donaldson. It is stated that he inspired in his squadron such fine fighting spirit that on its first encounter with enemy forces nine aircraft of his squadron destroyed six enemy aircraft and a further five are believed to have been destroyed, and four or five enemy aircraft were accounted for on the following day. This officer’s high courage and inspiring qualities of leadership have made his squadron a formidable fighting unit. He himself has shot down four enemy planes.