AIR HONOURS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 August 1942, Page 4

AIR HONOURS

AWARDS TO NEW ZEALANDERS INCLUDING MASTERTON OFFICER. COURAGE & LEADERSHIP. (Special P.A. Correspondent.) (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, August 5. The following New Zealanders are in the latest list of Air Force awards: Bar to the D.F.C.: Acting Wing Commander Trevor Owen Freemon, D. 5.0., D.F.C., from Dunedin. The citation states: “Wing Commander Freeman has completed further sorties, including attacks on Essen, Lubeck, the Ruhl and also Rostock. He led a night attack in May against the Warnemunde aircraft factory, where, in face of light antiaircraft fire and searchlights, he made six bombing attacks from a low level and also photographed the results. His aircraft was hit and damaged by gunfire and one engine failed 100 miles from the base. He landed safely by sheer determination and good airmanship. More recently he attacked Essen, also from a low level. Despite intense opposition from the ground, he made three separate runs up to the target. He again photographed the results. He has proved himself a courageous and outstanding leader throughout his operational career, always inspiling his squadron with the spirit necessaiy fOx success. The D.F.C. has been awarded to Acting Flight-Lieutenant Thomas Welch Horton, from Masterton, and Pilot Officer Alan George, D.F.M., from Taranaki. The citations state: “Lieutenant Horton has successfully completed a number of shipping patrols and other operations, including a brilliant lowlevel attack against shipping at Rotterdam on August 28, 1941. This excellent captain has always displayed courage, resources and skill above the average. His aircraft was repeatedly hit and damaged, but he safely landed three times after one engine had been put out of action. “Pilot Officer George is an outstanding captain, who has always endeavoured to reach his allotted target and press home his attack. Recently he was hit over Essen. The mam fuel feed pipe-line of his plane was fractured and fuel poured out at the rate of onegallon per minute. Pilot Officer Geoige determinedly headed for England and landed safely, almost without any petrol left. He also participated m the Stettin, Bremen, Poissy, Rostock and Warnemunde raids. His leadership and courage are outstanding.” Wing Commander Freeman went to England in 1935 and. enlisted in the R.A.F., later transferring to the R.N.Z. AF Lieutenant Horton enlisted in 1939 and Pilot Officer George in 1940.