ONE HUNDRED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 136, 11 June 1941, Page 8

ONE HUNDRED

BRAVERY AWARDS

DOMINION AIRMEN

SPLENDID RECORD (P.A.I WELLINGTON", this day. With the news that four more Distinguished Flying Crosses have been awarded tn New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force, a grand total of 100 awards has been reached by New Zealand airmen since the outbreak of war. the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, announced to-day. "Many of tne awards have been won bv New Zealanders who left the Dominion to take up short service commissions with the Royal Air Force before the war. and it is a tribute to the standard of men selected that such a high proportion should merit distinction. They came from farms, oflices. factories and workshops, but. imbued with the spirit of service, they proved ideal types for training. A large number now hold responsible positions in the Royal Air Force. "The introduction of the Empire air training scheme also enabled more New Zealanders to fit themselves in readiness to take their places alongside their brothers further afield. "New Zealand airmen have participated in some of the most daring and effective raids over Germany and Italy and awards have been won for bravery and devotion to duty in battle over England. Germany, Norway. Italy, ihe Middle East and occupied France. Wherever the Royal Air Force is to be found you will find sons of New Zealand worthily upholding the traditions of the Dominion." Mr. Jones added that an analvsis of the awards showed that 7.j 'Distinguished Flying Crosses had been won, three bars to the D.F.C.. seven Distinguished Flying Medals, ten Air Force Crosses, one Distinguished Service Order, three George Medals and one Croix de Guerre.