FURTHER HONOURS FOR N.Z. AIRMEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 303, 23 December 1941, Page 6

FURTHER HONOURS FOR N.Z. AIRMEN

BRAVERY REWARDED

Skill And Courage Praised In Citations United Pross Association.—Copyrigrat. Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 22. Latest R.N.Z.A.F. awards include the D.S.O. to Wing-Commander Trevor Owen Freeman, of Dunedin. The citation states that WingCommander Freeman carried out sorties over Kiel, Berlin and other targets in Germany and daylight raids on Brest and Turin. His leadership, enthusiasm and courage set a splendid example. He led his squadron in an attack against Cologne, descended to a low level and flew above the area for an hour before finding his target. He spent many hours flying with young crews, and his example inspired them. Acting-Fiight-Lieutenant Everest George Edmunds, R.N.Z.A.F., has; been awarded the D.F.C. According! to his citation, Flight-Lieutenant Edmunds was in November the pilot of a plane attacking shipping eastward of Tripoli. Despite extremely unfavourable flying conditions, he persisted in his mission, ably assisted by his observer, who skilfully navigated the plane 200 miles over the sea to the target area, where he finally attacked and made a direct hit on a large vessel and an escorting destroyer. Flight-Lieutenant Edmunds two days later, with the same observer, led a low-flying attack against shipping in Navarino Bay, Greece. Despite intense fire from the shore, he scored several hits and set fire to a 6000-ton tanker. The skill and determination shown by Flight-Lieutenant Edmunds, combined with his observer's skilful and accurate navigation, were largely responsible for the success achieved. Sergeant Richard Bruce Berney, of Wellington, is awarded the D.F.M. Sergeant Berney's citation states that he proved himself a cool and courageous aircraft captain and participated in attacks against German targets and also against Brest nine times. During an operational flight a plane in his unit was forced down at sea. He dropped food to the occupants of the dinghy and flew over the area for five hours. Sergeant Peter Coulson Whitwell and Sergeant Herrold Raymond Corrin, R.N.Z.A.F., have been awarded the D.F.M. The citation states that Sergeant Whitwell was the rear gunner in one of two planes which were making a d&ylignt attack on shipping off Borkum, north-western Germany. Eight Messerschmitts 109 attacked the planes, and Sergeant Whitwell displayed great coolness and accuracy of fire in warding off the first four attacks. In the fifth attack he seriously damaged one of the attackers, which was seen to dive away steeply with the engine emitting black smoke.. The* Messerschitts made three more attacks," and Sergeant Whitwell-, scored another success. In the last attack he put in a well-timed) burst, causing an..enemy plane to overturn and- dive vertically. \ ; On another occasion when a Messerschmitt 110 attacked his plane he withheld his fire until the attacker was within a range of 50 yards, and then shot it down in flames. 'Sergeant Whit Well displayed great ability, tenacity and courage. Attack on German Warships The citation for Sergeant Corrin states: "In July a large-scale attack was made against the German warships at Brest and La Pallice, including the Gneisenau, Scharnhorst and the Prinz Eugen, and a smaller attack was made on Cherbourg. These 'operations were carried out in. daylight. The planes, on approaching the target, encountered extremely heavy and accurate ;anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition, while the target at Brest was protected by a"balloon barrage. the air crews succeeded inmaking direct hits on the objective?, and inflicted the severest damage, in the target area. "During the combats against enemy fighters, 21 hostile planes were destroyed and others severely damaged. The precise timing.of, the attack by the various formations of planes, their correct/approach and the accurate bombing o? objectives in the face of such powerful oprosition demanded great skill and high courage. The great success of these operations was largely due to the bravery, determination and resource displayed by the- officers and airmen who participated' in various capacities as leaders and members of plane crews."