GALLANT AIRMEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 9, 22 October 1941, Page 7

GALLANT AIRMEN

AWARDS TO NEW ZEALANDERS. THE OFFICIAL CITATIONS.' (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 21. Air Headquarters, Wellington, has received the following particulars in reference to awards made recently to New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force. The citation accompanying the awards to Wing Commander G. T. Jarman, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and Flight Lieutenant Roy Douglas Max, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, states that in July, 1941, large scale attacks were made on German warships at Brest and La Pallice (including the Gneisenau, the Scharnhorst, and the Prinz Eugen). A smaller attack was made on Cherbourg. The operations were carried out in daylight, and extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition were encountered by all aircraft when approaching the target, which at Brest was protected by a balloon barrage.

The aircrews engaged succeeded, nevertheless, in securing direct hits on the objectives and in inflicting, very severe damage in the target area. During combats with enemy fighters, one hostile aircraft was destroyed, and others were severely damaged. The precise timing of the attack by the various formations, and their correct approach to and accurate bombing of the target in face of such powerful opposition demanded great skill and high courage. The great success of these operations was largely due to the bravery, determination, and resource displayed by the oflicers and airmen who participated in various capacities as leaders and members of aircraft crews.

The citation, referring to the award of the D.F.C. to Acting-Flight Lieutenant Richard John Vaughan, R.A.F., says that this officer has been continuously engaged on operational flying since the war began. Throughout he has carried out his duties in an exemplary manner, with great determination in face of all difficulties and opposition. One night in May, 1941, he commanded a Sunderland engaged in shadowing the Bismarck. He displayed marked qualities of coolness and preseverance throughout He also carried out a difficult reconnaissance of Narvik one night in June, 1941. Act-ing-Flight Lieutenant Vaughan has at all times shown recourcefulness and courage. Concerning the award of the D.F.C. to Acting-Flight Lieutenant Preston Wells, R.N.Z.A.F., the citation says that this officer has served with fighter squadrons since May, 1940, and has taken part in many engagements against the enemy. He has destroyed at least five of their aircraft and damaged others. He has at all times shown the greatest determination and courage.

Persistent Skill. Pilot Officer Richard James Bollard, R.N.Z.A.F., who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, has carried out raids on Cologne, Kiel, Bremen, Brest, Merignac, and Berlin. Each flight carried out by Pilot Officer Bollard is characterised by meticulous thoroughness in preparation, and consequent success. He has always succeeded in attacking* a target of major importance, and at all times has shown persistent skill and determination. .p, , Pilot Officer Kenneth Stanley Peterson, 8.N.Z.A.F., who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, on a mght of July, 1941, was navigator and bomb aimer of an aircraft detailed to attack an enemy fuel depot. The target aiea was obscured by cloud, and the P found it necessary to descend to /w feet to locate the objective. The first run was made in the face of intern s anti-aircraft fire, the aircraft being hit in several places, Borne bombs were dropped, but the attack was not considered satisfactory. A second run was made, but Pilot- Officer Peterson decided not to release the remaining bombs, because he had not a sufficiently good sight of the target. On the third run, direct hits on the storage tanks were obtained. Both the pilot and Pilot Officer Peterson displayed outstanding courage, devotion to duty, and skill in difficult and dangerous conditions. _ v f-p » Sergeant R. J. C. Grant, R.Ty.Z.A.F., who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, Has taken part m 2,2. operations over enemy territory, during Which he destroyed two enemy aircraft, and damaged several others. His keenness and devotion to duty have set an excellent example. Concerning the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal to Sergeant William Jack Scott, R.N.Z.A.I’., the citation states that a Royal Air Force flight lieutenant, with Sergeant Scott, as pilot and air gunner respectively, have achieved conspicuous success during night flying operations. On a night in April, 1941, a Hcinkel 111 was encountered and destroyed, and since then a further three enemy aircraft have been destroyed, of which two were shot down during the same patrol. During these operations both the pilot and Sergeant Scott have displayed great skill and determination. Air Force Cross. Official advice has been received bv Air Headquarters that the Air horce Gross has been awarded to Squadron Leader Douglas Warnes Morrish, whose father is Mr G. H. Morrish, of Whangarei. Squadron Leader Morrish was horn in 1910, and educated at the Whangarei High School. He left New Zealand *in 1930 to seek a short service commission with the Royal Air Force. After completing the short service commission, he returned to New Zealand in 1935. Later ho returned to England and resumed duties with the Royal Air Force. _ The following biographical details are available of New Zealand airmen recently awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses. Flight Lieutenant D. H. Ward was born in Whangarei in and educated at the Whangarei District High School. He secured his pilot’s licence in 1937, and was accepted for a short service commission that year. After further training, he went to'England and joined the Royal Air Force. His exploits figured prominently in the press in 1940, when references were made to his “coat of arms,” incorporating several supposedly unlucky

signs—the number 13, a broken muror, a, man walking under a laciaei, and three cigarettes being lit from one match. Acting-Flight Lieutenant C. Bush was born in Wellington in and educated at Wellington College, taking a prominent part in sport, tie was accepted for a short service commission with the Royal Air F orce m 1939. Flying Officer W. 1. Anstey was born in Timaru in 1919, and was educated at the Timaru Boys’ High School. He was accepted for a short service commission in 1938, and left for England in 1939 to take up a commission with the Royal Air Force.