GALLANT AIRMEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1941, Page 6

GALLANT AIRMEN

AWARDS TO NEW ZEALANDERS

STORIES OF HIGH COURAGE & RESOLUTION. TOLD IN THE OFFICIAL CITATIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Official advice has been received by Air Headquarters in Wellington that the following awards have been made to New Zealanders serving with the R.A.F.:—

Distinguished Service Order, Flying Officer Thomas Francis Gill, of the R.A.F.; father, Mr T. P. Gill, of Wellington.

Distinguished Flying Cross.

Pilot Officer Graham Wellesley Hamlin, of the R.N.Z.A.F.; father, Mr J. A. W. Hamlin, of Auckland.

Pilot Officer Alan Murray Hobbs, of the R.N.Z.A.F.; father Mr A. W. Hobbs, of Christchurch.

Pilot Officer John William Purcivall, of the R.N.Z.A.F.; mother, Mrs J. W. Blance, of New Plymouth. Pilot Officer James William Thomson, of the R.N.Z.A.F.; sister, Mrs S. A. Muirhead, of Oamaru.

The official citations to the awards state that Pilot Officer Hamlin always makes a point of running straight over his target area, whatever the odds. His flights have been undertaken with cliock-like precision in all kinds ,of weather and often he returned with his aircraft extensively damaged. The fearless and resolute manner in which Pilot Officer Hamlin attacked his targets is worthy of the highest praise. On a night in May, Pilot Officer Hobbs succeeded in dropping his bombs close to his target in Hamburg after pressing into the area despite great difficulty from flak and searchlights. He successfully attacked Mannheim on the following night, and two nights later Hamburg was again raided. His flights have always been ac-> complished with a minimum amount' of incident and he has on many occasions obtained excellent photographs. Pilot Officer Hobbs is a clever and courageous pilot and an exceptionally capable and keen operational captain, whose crew control and navigation are of a particularly high standard. Since joining his squadron, Pilot Officer Purcivell's record has been one of continuous good work. His experiences when his aircraft has been hit have only served to increase his determination to press home his attacks. On one occasion he encountered severe icing conditions, but by skilful piloting he attacked his target successfully at a thousand feet. Pilot Officer Purcivell’s enthusiasm for flying and his devotion to duty are of the highest order. He discharges his duties, both in the air and on the ground, in a calm and efficient manner.

One night in June, after bombing a target in Dusseldorf, Pilot Officer Thomson was twice caught in a cone of searchlights and held for some minutes. Flak hit his aircraft in several places and one burst sent it in a fast, vertical dive to a low altitude. It regained height, but was again caught by a large number of searchlights. The aiti-aircraft fire ceased suddenly, searchlights were extinguished, and almost immediately an enemy fighter opened with bursts of bullet and cannon fire from dead astern. Pilot Officer Thompson’s rear-gunner replied with a burst, driving the enemy off. Severe damage was done to the British aircraft and a fire broke out which was quickly extinguished. Pilot Officer Thompson encountered and gallantly overcame many similar harassing experiences, and his courage, determination and devotion to duty are worthy of high, praise.