NOTED U.S. FLYER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 107, 7 May 1943, Page 3

NOTED U.S. FLYER

Front Rank Bomber Killed In Air Accident DEVELOPED "SKIP" BOMBING N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 12.30 p.m. SYDNEY, this day. Another of the American front rank pilots concerned in the development of the famous skip bombing technique, exploited with such success against Japanese shipping in the South-west Pacific area, has been killed in an accidental crash. He was Major Edward Lamer, of San Francisco, leader of a medium bomber unit which set a record for ship destruction in the Bismarck Sea battle when 12 direct hits were scored by 13 aircraft. Major Larner himself sank a Japanese cruiser and a transport in this action. Captain.Albert White, of Brisbane, an Australian Army intelligence officer attached to Major Larner's squadron, was also killed in the crash. The Chief of the United States Army Air Corps, General Arnold, i cited Major Larner in a recent speech to American cadets when he said: "That man never knew the meaning of the word 'quit.'" Major Larner received the Silver Star for gallantry in the Buna campaign, and had been recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross for his work in the Bismarck. Sea battle. While most commanders go out on only half of their squadron's operational missions, Major Larner went out on every ope, always leading his planes into attack. Captain White's work as army liaison officer did not oblige him to accompany the squadron on missions, but he usually went with them.