AIR VETERANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1941, Page 6

AIR VETERANS

| CITATIONS TO BRITISH AWARDS. RECORDS OF GREAT GALLANTRY AND RESOLUTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 6.' The citation concerning the award of the D.F.C. to Flying Officer Ronald Edward Lewis, whose mother lives in Wellington, N.Z., states that Flying Officer Lewis was rear-gunner of an aircraft which carried out an attack on the Fockwulf Works in Bremen, on the night of April 12. During the return journey the British plane encountered a Messerschmitt 110, and Flying Officer Lewis shot down the German at a range of 250 yards, while the enemy was turning for an attack. He had previously completed 45 sorties with submarine patrols and convoy escorts, and displayed courage and devotion to duty. Pilot Officer Douglas Robert Bagnall completed 29 operational flights, includ-1 ing four raids on Berlin, and attacked’ targets in Germany and ports in enemyoccupied France. He displayed keenness in pressing home attacks. Pilot Officer James Victor Verran completed 35 operational sorties and attacked important targets in Germany, including three raids on Berlin and I three on Mannheim, and also attacked] objectives in France and Italy. His] thoroughness in his preparation for a flight contributed to the success of operations and set a splendid example. Pilot Officer Hayden Hugh James Miller completed thirty operational missions. Showing a complete disregard for enemy opposition, he completed an operation over Turin in semiimpossible conditions. His courage and skill inspired confidence in every member of the crew he captained. The three last-named officers also gained the D.F.C. Sergeant Frank Simpworth Kirke completed 17 hours of operations against the enemy as an air observer. His navigation was of the highest order, and he has always shown keenness, outstanding ability and devotion to duty. Sergeant Kirke has been awarded the D.F.M. His mother lives in Wellington.