DAY OF PRAYER

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21365, 8 March 1941, Page 9

DAY OF PRAYER

MESSAGE BY ARCHBISHOP CRITICAL TIME AHEAD NATION WITH ONE HEART .United Press Assn.—Liec. Tel. copyrigbt) . LONDON, March 6 In announcing Sunday, March 23, as a national day of prayer, the Archbishop of Canterbury says: “There can be little doubt that we are now approaching or entering a critical stage of the tremendous struggle in which the nation, with one heart, will be engaged. “It is therefore most fitting that the King, as head of the nation, should once again call upon us to renew acknowledgment of its dependence on God, and make a united act in humble prayer for His forgiveness of all that has been amiss in our national life; for strength and guidance in the stern and trying days which may be coming; and, if it be His will, for good success. “It is also right that, with these prayers, we should offer thanksgiving for the blessings already received. We cannot but be thankful, when we think of the wonderful way in which we escaped the dangers which surrounded us last summer and autumn, of the most heartening successes of the Fleet, Army and Air Force in the Mediterranean and Africa, of the continued unity of our people, of the immense and encouraging efforts of the Dominions and Colonies, of the steadfastness of our remaining Allies, and, especially, of gallant Greece, and of the generous and ever-increasing help which is coming to us from the vast resources of the United States. “Although we dare not indulge in any boastful or over self-confidence, for all these happenings we may well thank God, and take courage.” FLYING CROSS NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN HONOURED FOR SERVICES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 7 The citations have been published concerning the award earlier this week of the Distinguished Flying Cross to New Zealand members of the Royal Air Force. Wing-Commander Samuel Charles Elworthy, A.F.C., has proved himself an operational pilot of outstanding ability, says the citation. He has completed numerous missions, setting a fine example of courage and dogged determination to reach the target under any conditions. Pilot-Officer Allan Bridson, of Auckland, has participated in 10 operational missions. On one occasion he was compelled to abandon his mission because of engine trouble, but when returning he attacked an

alternative target and then brought back his aeroplane to the English coast on one engine, where the crew abandoned the machine when the remaining engine failed. He has shown great keenness and carried out his tasks with courage and skill. • Pilot-Officer Peter Bettley Robinson, of Auckland, has carried out numerous operational night flights, acting as captain on 17 occasions. The operations included successful attacks on oil works at Wesseling, an aerodrome at Bordeaux, and shipyards at Stettin. Throughout he displayed skill and devotion to duty. HEROIC ENGLISHMAN RESCUE OF CHILDREN

BLITZ AGAINST LONDON (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright* LONDON, March 6 The hero of today’s raids is Jack Riches, who, when a stick of bombs straddled eight houses in an East Anglian town, went into a house to rescue three children. He had carried two down the stairs when a bomb scored a direct hit on the next house, burying Riches and the three children under the debris. He managed to get the children out of the house before it collapsed. It will be six months tomorrow since the blitz began against London. Alerts have lasted 1286 hours. The longest raid was on of 14 hours and four minutes, with almost continual bombing. The shortest alert was nine minutes. There were either day or night warnings daily between August 23 and December 1, with 57 consecutive night raids.