AIR AWARDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 February 1943, Page 4

AIR AWARDS

NEW ZEALANDERS OVERSEAS OPERATIONS IN MIDDLE EAST. GALLANTRY AND DARING. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Aerial operations in the Middle East and the Continent are mentioned iri citations accompanying awards of three Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Distinguished Flying Medals to members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force serving overseas. Details of the awards have been received from London by the Air Department, Wellington, the recipients being as follows: — Distinguished Flying Cross: Acting Flight Lieutenant William Robert Kofoed, R.N.Z.A.F., Mr W. J. Kofoed, Rural Delivery, Outram, Otago (f). Flying Officer Basil Howard Gray, R.N.Z.A.F., Mr J. Gray, P.O. Box 9, Waverley (f). Flying Officer Frederick Victor Campbell. R.N.Z.A.F.. Mr J. H. Campbell, Great South Road, Manurewa, Auckland (f). Distinguished Flying Medal: Fhgnt Sergeant Peter John Dickson McGeehan, R.N.Z.A.F., Mrs M. M. McGeehan, 1812 Great North Road, Avondale, Auckland (m). Sergeant Ronald Florence, R.N.Z.A.F., Mr T. G. Florence, Smart Road, Fitzroy, New Plymouth (f). Citations accompanying the awards state:— , “Acting-Flight Lieutenant Kofoect has displayed the highest qualities of leadership and courage in the face o the enemy. His record of numerous operational sorties includes raids on heavily defended targets. During is service in the United Kingdom he participated in two daylight raids on German warships at Brest. In April, 1942 he completed two attacks on the enemy naval base at Trondheim. These raids he carried out fom a very low level and in the fact of intense antiaircraft fire. When, transfered to the Middle East, he continued to show a very high standard of gallantry and demotion to duty, being an inspiration to all the members of his squadron.” “Flying Officer Gray has participated in numerous operational sorties against heavily defended targets at Tobruk. One night in November of last yeai, after bombing enemy tank concentrations, he descended to 50 feet, to make machine-gun attacks on enemy mechanised transport and blew up vericles and a petrol bowser. Exceptionally tenacious in seeking our targets, Flying Officer Gray is a successful and daring aircraft captain.” “Flying Officer Campbell has captained his aircraft crews in a manner worthy of the best traditions. He has participated in many sorties directed against Tobruk, and has successfully bombed jetties and shipping. On one sortie, although some of the equipment of his aircraft became damaged, he proceeded with his attack. On a night in August of last year he made five successful runs, dropping flares across the target despite heavy antiaircraft fire. On all occasions, especially in the recent land operations, this officer has displayed gallantry, tenacity and coolness in the face of the enemy.” “Flight Sergeant McGeehan displayed such co-operation and timing during two attacks on Berlin—one in the morning and one in the afternoon—that the -target was reached, and the attacks delivered, within seconds of the specified time, despite the fact each attack was prefaced by a 500-mile flight over heavily defended territory. The success was largely due to the calm courage, resolution and endurance of the crew including Flight Sergeant McGeehan.” . “Sergeant Florence has participated in many sorties, displaying great skill as an air bomber and front gunner. On one occasion his accurate shooting was responsible for extinguishing some searchlights which menaced his aircraft while it was flying at a low level. During a night raid, carried- out in December, 1942, Sergeant Florence silenced the gun of an armed ship. On another occasion—an attack on Lorient—he showed great determination in attacking searchlights. Sergeant Florence has proved a most valuable member of the aircraft’crew.”