AIRMEN DECORATED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 5, 17 October 1941, Page 5

AIRMEN DECORATED.

THREE NEW ZEALANDERS. Distinguished flying cross. LONDON, October 15. The Distinguished Flying Cross has ■ been awarded to three New Zealand members of the Royal Air Force, Flight-Lieut. D. H. Ward, ot the B(th Squadron, Acting-Flight-Liout. R. Bush, of the 41st Squadron, and Fly-ing-Officer W. f. Anstoy } of the (oth Squadron. The citations state that Flight-Licut. Ward fought with his squadron during operations in France, and destroyed two enemy aeroplanes. Since September, 1940, lie has commanded a flight engaged in night flying and has performed excellent work, particularly in training now pilots. Last July, FlightLieut. Ward and another pilot intercepted a force of hostile aircraft "attempting to attack a British aerodrome from a low altitude. Although the weather was unfavourable at least one of ihe attackers was damaged. On another occasion, Flight-Licut. Ward led a successful attack against an aerodrome at Caen when, in spite of anti-aircraft fire two enemy planes wore believed to be hit and a goods train, buildings, and machine-gun posts were machine-gunned. Flight-Licut. Ward has always displayed the greatest keenness to engage the enemy. Acting-Flight-Liout. Bush has carried out 48 operational sweeps over enemy territory and has destroyed at least three planes. He also participated in operations in France and later fought in the Battle of Britain. I At all times he has displayed cour- I age and keenness and set an excellent

example. Flying-Officer Anstoy. as captain of an aircraft, carried out seven longdistance night-bombing attacks during the first 14 days in August. He made four attacks against shipping at Benghazi, two against the Corinth Canal,,

and one against an aerodrome at Baroe. Good results were obtained on each occasion.

Flying-Officer Anstoy throughout displayed great efficiency and physical endurance. He has completed 43 operational flights involving nearly 300 hours’ flying.