UNDAUNTED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 114, 16 May 1942, Page 7

UNDAUNTED

BIRDMEN FROM N.Z.

Decorated For Courage And

Skill Under Fire

United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 11.30 .a m LONDON, May 15

The D.F.C. has been awarded to a New Zealand airman, Pilot-Officer Eric George Delancey Jarman, of the /sth (New Zealand) Squadron. The citation says one night in April he captained a bomber detailed to attack Cologne. While over the target area the bomber was damaged by shell fire. The navigator, wireless operator and front gunner were injured, but Jarman flew on and made attacks. While going home, he discovered a bomb had not fallen owing to damage caused to the plane, whereupon he altered his course and headed for the North Sea to jettison the bomb. An enemy fighter attacked before he reached the sea, killed the rear gunner, wounded the second pilot, and further damaged the bomber. Jarman skilfully controlled the bomber, jettisoned the bomb into the sea and reached home safely. He landed with the undercarriage retracted.

Jarman has completed numerous sorties, in which he has attacked heavily-defended targets. The D.F.C. has been awarded Pilot-Officer Philip John Lamason, of Napier, of the 218 th Squadron. According to the citation, he cap. tained a plane in an attack against Pilsen in April. An enemy fighter attacked him when he was going home, shot away the hydraulics, rendered the turret unserviceable and started a fire in the middle of the fuselage. Lamason displayed great presence of mind and coolly directed the crew in the emergency, and while two dealt with the fire, he skilfully out-manoeuvred the attacker and finally shook him off. Lamason has completed 21 sorties.

The D.F.M. has been awarded Flight-Sergeant Ivor John McLachlan, of Masterton, of the 75th (New Zealand) Squadron.

The citation says one r.ight in April he captained a plane in an attack against Cologne. An enemy fighter suddenly attacked while he was heading home over hostile territory, killed the second pilot, wounded the rear gunner and extensively damaged the plane, which was difficult to control. McLachlan, undaunted, flew on and landed his plane safely.