NOTABLE RECORDS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 88, 14 April 1945, Page 10

NOTABLE RECORDS

DOMINION AIRMEN

CITATIONS TO AWARDS

P.A. WELLINGTON. Friday. Still another feat of determination and rare skill on air operations is quoted by the citation to the latest award won by Acting-Squadron-Le'ader A. W. G. Cochrane, D.5.0., D.P.C. and two t>ars, of Rawene. The second bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross was an Immediate award, as were those of the D.S.O. and the first bar to the D.F.C. •

The citation, which has been received from London, pays tribute to the qualities which have won such distinction ior Squadron-Leader Cochrane. He is the third New Zealand airman to have won a second bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross. It says: "Squadron-Leader Cochrane is a cool, courageous captain and pilot. la December, 1944, he participated in an attack on an airfield at Dusseldorf. In spite of intense and accurate fire from the ground defences, he pressed home the attack. His aircraft was hit, but he flew it back to base."

This is the third award won by Squadron-Leader Cochrane since Novem ber, 1944. He was among the pioneer pilots of the mammoth bomber raids from Britain and helped to blast many targets in occupied Europe and Germany. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. \V. M. Cochrane, of Rawene, and was 24 years old when he left New Zealand .as a sergeant-pilot in April, 1941.

.Regarded by the British Air Ministry as one of the Coastal Command's most notable U-boat hunters, Squadron-Leader M. A. Ensor, D.S.O. and bar, D.P.C. and bar, of Rangiora, earned the award of the bar to the Distinguished Service Order by the continuation of his outstanding efficiency in type of work. "Squadron-Leader Ensor has taken part in many operationa.' sorties during liis second tour of duty, the citation states. "He has attacked enemy L-boats on three occasions. One of trie su o* marines was probably seriously damaged and in one engagement Squadron-Leader Bnsor's aircraft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire. He has displayed out" standing enthusiasm, tact and courage as a flight-commander and officer in charge of squadron training. He has contributed much to the development of new and successful methods of attaching enemy submarines." Now just 23 years of age, SquadronLeader Ensor, since he was commissioned less than three years ago, has had one of the most brilliant careers in the bnl liant company of New Zealand airmen. His father is Mr. XI. Ensor, of Pamia, Bay of Islands.