AIRMAN’S V.C.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 February 1941, Page 6

AIRMAN’S V.C.

BRAVED MURDEROUS FIRE. TO BOMB HIS TARGET. An rdrmtm who braved a murderous ■ lane tf tire to bomb his target and then i brought his half-shattered plane safely i home, was awarded the Victoria Cross, iHe was .Acting Flight Lieutenant : Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd. j whose home is near Littlcstone, Kent. I The oflicial citation of the award i said that his exploit was one which i "might well have deterred the stoutest ’’ heart," He was detailed to attack a ’ special target on the Dortmund-Ems c.mM. For success he had to approach from a direction well known to the enemy through a kmc of spccially-dis* posed .A..A defences and in face of the must intense point-blank fire from guns of all calibres. Aircraft which had previously aimed at this objective had all been hit and two had been lost Flight Lieutenant Learoyd had been there before and well knew the risks. Nevertheless, he made his attack in a Hampden bomber nt 150 feet, his craft being repeatedly hit and large pieces of the main phmes torn away. He was almost blmded by the glare of mans searchlights at close range, but pressed home his attack with the greatest rosoluti«.m and skill He Inter brnuyh' his wrecked aircraft home, and as the landing flaps were mops'rat:v,- and the undercarriage indicators nut of action, he waited above his aerodrome for the dawn before trying to land. This ht. m complislied without c.aismg injury to his crew or fin. ther damage to the aircraft. This otlk'er," the citation contrnued. "has rrpffiitcdly shown comph'tc indillcrencc to danger in making attacks at the lowest altitudes regardless > f opposition His high courage, skill, and determination sets an example which »5 umairpassed ’’ Flight Lieutemmt U-aroyd, who lives with his family .it Frogs Hall, New llomnev. Ke;.'., ;■ twenty-sj-vcil Before he !•' ok to flying in 193 G. he tried fruit farmie.g hi the Argeutino and her. i;■ e to England entered i'.o motor trade