DARING EXPLOITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 192, 14 August 1940, Page 8

DARING EXPLOITS.

ATTACKS ON ENEMY. DRAMATIC ESCAPE MADE. ——• WELLINGTON, this day. Details of the exploits which gained the Distinguished Flying Cross for Flight Lieutenant Alan Christopher Deere, of Wanganui, have now been received in New Zealand and released by I the Director of Publicity, Mr. J. T. Paul. According to the "London Gazette" of June, the award was made in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy. F fight Lieutenant Deere, in company- with his ; squadron had, during May, taken par* lin numerous offensive patrols over Northern France and had been engaged in seven combats, often against superior numbers. In the course of these engagements he personally shot down five eneniv aircraft, and assisted in the destruction of others. On one occasion, in company with a second aircraft, he escorted a trainer aircraft to the Calais aerodrome for the purpose of rescuing a squadron commander who was shot down there. The trainer aircraft was attacked by 12 Messerschmitt 109 fighters while taking off at Calais, but Filght Lieutenant Deere and a companion immediately attacked, shooting down three enemy aircraft and severely damaging three others. "Throughout these engagements," said the "Gazette," "Flight Lieutenant Deere displayed courage and determination in attacks on the enemy." Flight Lieutenant Deere had an exciting experience not long after this, when his aircraft was shot down over Belgium. He landed safely by parachute— in territory occupied by the enemy. Making his way by road, he held up a car with a revolver and then made a dash for it to Dunkirk, where the <reat evacuation was soon to take place." He had to make his way through a spreading enemy front line, but, despite some incidents" on the journey, he arrived safely, embarking on a destroyer. Flight Lieutenant Deere. in addition to his successes in the air, has won some notable victories in the boxing ring during his service career in Britain, and is the middle-weight champion of the Army, Navy and Air Force. He had before leaving New Zealand won schoolboy boxing championships, territorial championships, and had represented Wanganui in the New Zealand chamEionships. Born in Auckland, Flight ieutenant Deere celebrates his twentythird birthday next December. — (Press Assn.)