AT THE PALACE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 34, 10 February 1943, Page 3

AT THE PALACE

D.F.C.'S PRESENTED King Honours New Zealand Airmen N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 9. The King presented the D.F.C.' to Pilot-Officers J. L. Wright, of Frankton, and C. W. B. Kelly, of Christchurch, at Buckingham Palace at a recent investiture. He congratulated them on their record. They have carried out 37 raids together in 75 (New Zealand) Bomber Squadron. Watching them receive their decorations were two of their crew, Flight-Ser-geants M. A. Carter, Hastings, and R. C. Reynolds, Lower Hutt. With Sergeant B. Neal, North Auckland, who was unable to attend the investiture, this all-New Zealand crew was in 1000-plane raids against Cologne and Essen, and have also carried out many raids on the Ruhr Valley in addition to mining.

On the very first trip they were shot up by a night-fighter, which filled their Wellington with at least 500 bullet holes, but they later took revenge when they shot down a Junkers SS night-fighter which attacked them while they were returning from Essen. It was sighted by Flight-Sergeant Carter. PilotOfficer Wright's skilful manoeuvring enabled Flight-Sergeant Reynolds, who was the front gunner, to set first one of the Junker's motors alight and then set fire to the second. The German blew up.

Pilot-Officer Wright's crew came off operations three months ago, and with the exception of Sergeant Neal they were at the same operational training unit. After the investiture Mr. W. J. Jordan entertained them at lunch at the New Zealand Forces Club.