DECORATIONS FOR AIRMEN

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23302, 12 April 1941, Page 8

DECORATIONS FOR AIRMEN

Christchurch Man’s Bravery (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 11. Further information about the awarding of Distinguished Flying Crosses to Flying Officer Malcolm Hugh Macfarlane and Flight Lieutenant Graham Reese Magill has now been received by Air Headquarters, Wellington. The official information states;— “One night in January, 1941, Flying Officer Macfarlane was captain of aircraft detailed to attack a target at Hanover. The weather was bad and with early prospects of a climb through 6000 feet of cloud favourable to icing conditions. Soon after taking off the wireless set became inoperative, but Flying Officer Macfarlane decided to continue. He successfully bombed the target and returned safely to his base without wireless aid, although visibility was poor and the cloud base at less than 500 feet. On a previous mission he carried out a forced landing in the dark, with only one engine, little damage being caused to the aircraft and none to the crew. Flying Officer Macfarlane has at all times shown the utmost coolness, courage, and devotion to duty. Service in the East “Flight Lieutenant Magill has participated in the majority of squadron operations over Eritrea and Abyssinia during the last six months, both as formation leader and on individual day and night raids. His careful planning and execution of long raids in bad weather and over difficult country, often against strong opposition, has contributed materially to the successes obtained by his squadron. He has at all times displayed the utmost coolness and courage.” Flying Officer Macfarlane was born in Christchurch in 1916 and educated at Christ’s College. He was accepted for a short service commission in March, 1939, and after partial training in the Canterbury Aero Club he went overseas. His next-of-kin at the time of his enlistment was Mr A. M. Macfarlane, his father, of Leithfleld, Canterbury. Flight Lieutenant Magill was born at Cambridge. He is 26 and was educated., at the Te Aroha District High School... He represented his school at cricket and Rugby. He travelled to England in 1938 and obtained a short service commission with the Royal Air Force. He has served with the Royal Air Force since July, 1936. His father is Mr R. W. Magi l !, T e Aroha.