NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 October 1941, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

THREE D.F.C. AWARDS

STORY OF GALLANT SERVICE. IN WESTERN EUROPE & GREECE. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, October 15. The D.F.C. has been awarded to three New Zealand members of the R.A.F., Flight Lieutenant D. H. Ward, of the 87th Squadron, Acting Flight Lieutenant C. R. Bush, 41st Squadron, and Flying Officer W. I. Anstey, 70th Squadron. Flight Lieutenant Ward fought with his squadron during operations in France and destroyed two enemy planes, says the citation. Since September, 1940, he has commanded a flight engaged in night flying and performed excellent work, particularly in training new pilots. Last July he and another pilot intercepted a force of hostile aircraft attempting to attack one of our aerodromes from a low altitude. Though the weather was unfavourable at least one of the attackers was damaged. On another occasion Flight Lieutenant Ward led a successful attack against the aerodrome at Caen, when, despite antiaircraft fire, two enemy planes are be-, lieved to have been hit and a goods train, buildings and machine-gun posts machine-gunned. He has always displayed the greatest keenness to engage the enemy. . Flight Lieutenant Bush has carried out 48 operational sweeps over enemy territory and destroyed at least thiee planes. He also participated in operations in France. Later he fought in the Battle of Britain. At all times he has displayed courage and keenness and set an excellent example. Flying Officer Anstey. as captain of an aircraft, carried out seven longdistance night-bombing attacks during the first fourteen days of August. He made four attacks against shipping at Benghazi, tAvo against the Corinth Canal and one against the aerodrome at Barco. Good results were obtained on each occasion. Throughout he has displayed great efficiency and physical endurance and has completed 43 operational flights, involving nearly 300 hours of flying.