ENEMY SHIP HIT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 11, 14 January 1943, Page 6

ENEMY SHIP HIT

N.Z. PILOT'S EXPLOIT

CITATION TO D.F.M. AWARD (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day Details of the attack on a merchant ship for which Flight-Sergeant Aylwin Gilbert Ivletcalf, R.N.Z.A.F., formerly of Te Roti, Hawera, received the immediate award of the D.F.M., have been received by Air Headquarters. News of the award was recently announced and the citation now received states: "Flight-Sergeant Metcalf, as a pilot, has completed very numerous sorties with high skill and devotion to duty. In September, 1942, he made a night attack on an enemy merchantman escorted by a destroyer. Despite intense opposing fire, he flew low over the vessel and made hits resulting in two large explosions. During the operation a shell exploded in the cabin of the aircraft, resulting in the wounding of the navigator and wireless operator. Flight-Sergeant Metcalf, however, manoeuvred the aircraft safely, and, handing the controls over to the second pilot, he dressed his comrades' wounds. On returning to his base, he safely accomplished a difficult landing." Flight-Sergeant Metcalf was born in England and came to New Zealand as a child. He was educated at the Wanganui Technical College and New Plymouth Boys' High School, and was farming prior to enlisting in the R.N.Z.A.F. a few days after the outbreak of the war. Commencing his training in July, 1940, he went overseas early in 1941. His father is Mr. W. J. Metcalf, of Te Roti.