SKILL AND GALLANTRY

NEW ZEALANDERS DECORATED

(Rec. 9 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. The Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to a New Zealander in the Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer Eric George Delancey Jarman. The citation states that one night in April he captained a bomber which was detailed to attack Cologne. While over the target area the bomber was damaged by stiellfire, and the navigator, the wireless operator, and the front gunner were injured, but Jarman flew on and made his attacks. While on the homeward flight he discovered that one of his bombs had not fallen, owing to damage caused to the plane. He altered course and headed for the North Sea to jettison the bomb. An enemy fighter attacked before he reached the sea, killed the rear gunner, wounded the second pilot, and further damaged the bomber. Jarman skilfully controlled the bomber and jettisoned the bomb in the sea. He reached home and landed safely with v his undercarriage retracted. Jarman has completed numerous sorties in which he attacked heavily defended targets.

The D.F.C. has also been awarded to Pilot Officer Philip John Lamason (Napier), of the R.N.Z.A.F. The citation states that he captained & plane in an attack against Pilsen in April. .An enemy ..fighter, attacked when he was on the way home, shot away the hydraulic controls, rendering the1 turret unserviceable, and started a. fire in the middle of the fuselage. Lamason displayed great presence of mind and coolly. directed his crew in

the emergency,

While two of the men

dealt with the fire, he skilfully out- ' manoeuvred the attacker and finally shook him off. Lamason has completed 21 sorties. The D.F.M. has .been awarded to Flight Sergeant Ivor John* McLachlan fMasterton), of the 75th (New Zealand) Squadron. The citation says that. one night in April he captained a plane in an attack on Cologne. An enemy j fighter suddenly attacked while he was flying homewards over hostile territory, killed the second pilot, wounded the rear gunner, and extensively damaged the plane, which became difficult to control. McLachlan was undaunted, and flew on and landed the, plane safely. 0.8. E. FOR SQUADRON LEADER. The New Zealander Squadron Leader Sidney Westman Rochford Hughes, of the Royal Air Force, has been v appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Military Division. . The citation says: "One night in December, 1941, this officer was flying a Sunderland in the Mediterranean area when two enemy fighters attacked. One of these was probably destroyed, but Squadron Leader Hughes's aircraft sustained damage to its aileron control, and two engines were put out of action. "The aircraft lost height rapidly, but by great skill this officer succeeded in turning it into the wind and finally descended safely on the water. Heavy seas were .running, but although one wing-tip and a float were smashed, he managed to steer the aircraft on to a nearby reef in such a way that the crew was able to escape into much calmer water.

"Observing that one of his comrades who had been swept from the main plane seaward was in an exhausted condition and in difficulties, Squadron Leader Hughes immediately dived into the water and brought his comrade to safety after swimming some thirty yards through heavy seas.

"His action undoubtedly saved the life of his comrade. Throughout, this officer displayed exceptional courage and leadership."