MORE FLYING CROSSES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 181, 2 August 1944, Page 2

MORE FLYING CROSSES

DOMINION AIRMEN WORK IN EUROPEAN THEATRE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Meritorious service in the European war theatre has resulted in the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to three more New Zealand airmen. They are Acting FlightLieutenant E. F. Witting, of Invercargill; Flying-Officer A. H. R. Zillwood, son of Mrs. A. Liddell, Auckland, and Flying-Officer J. G. Gow, of Levin.

"Flight - Lieutenant Witting has proved himself an efficient and determined captain whose keenness to engage the enemy has always been evident," states the citation. "He has completed a large number of sorties and has achieved much success, and his fine example has been most creditable.

"Flying-Officer Zillwood was navigator of an aircraft detailed to attack Nantes. Shortly after the attack his aircraft was damaged and the pilot was seriously injured and unable to execute his duties, but the air bomber took over the controls and with the assistance of Flying-Officer Zillwood brought back the aircraft safely to its base. Flying-Officer Zillwood displayed exceptional coolness, great determination and devotion to duty in most difficult circumstances. He has completed many sorties against heavily defended targets. He was born in Carterton and enlisted in the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1940. "Last May Flying-Officer Gow obtained a hit with a torpedo on a large merchant vessel and 11 days later attacked a medium-sized merchantman and again obtained a hit, and in June assisted in setting three minesweepers on fire. He has shown high qualities of skill and gallantry."