AWARDS TO N.Z. AIRMEN

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23714, 12 August 1942, Page 4

AWARDS TO N.Z. AIRMEN

TOTAL REACHES 253 (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 11. Announcing that the number of awards to New Zealand airmen serving overseas had reached 253, the Minister of Defence < the Hon. F. Jones) paid a tribute to the splendid record estab - lished by these officers and men. “It is just a little over three months since I was able to announce that the second hundred awards had been reached, and now the total has increased to 253," he said, “Numbered in this list arc many officers and men with double decorations, and just recently Acting-Wing Commander E. P. Wells. D.F.C. and Bar. was awarded the Distinguished Service Order to secure a most impressive triple award.” The Minister said that in the earlier days of the war the majority of awards to New Zealanders were won by men who had gone from the Dominion to accept short-service commissions with the Royal Air Force, but since then the list of awards to New Zealanders who had received their initial training in the Dominion had been increasing steadily, A survey of the typo of men so honoured revealed that they came from all walks of life, and showed that the average young New Zealander was of a type fitted for training in the specialised art of aerial warfare. Awards had been made to pilots, observers, and air-gunners, indicating that New Zealanders are playing a magnificent part in all three branches of the flying war. N.Z. AIRMAN WINS D.F.M. “GREAT COURAGE AND FORTITUDE ” (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 11. It is officially announced that the Distinguished Flying Medal has been awarded to Flight Sergeant Valentine Stuart Moore. Flight Sergeant Moore was born at New Plymouth and was educated at the Taumarunui District High School. His wife lives at 24 Enfield street, Mount Eden, > The citation states that one night in June he captained an aircraft successfully attacking Bremen in bad weather. During the return, to avoid heavy cloud, he descended to about 300 ft, enabling the gunners to machine-gun towns and factories. After crossing the enemy coast considerable anti-aircraft fire was encountered from armed ships. The aeroplane was hit and set on fire, but Flight Sergeant Moore turned and attacked the ships. The fire spread and ho was compelled to alight on the water. On impact, the nose of the aircraft dived steeply into the water, but Flight Sergeant Moore and two members of the crew were able to scramble out and board the dinghy, from which they were rescued some 37 hours later. “In the face of harassing circumstances, Flight Sergeant Moore has displayed great courage and fortitude,” the citation concludes. IMMEDIATE AWARD MADE 4 EXPLOITS IN DESERT AIR FIGHTING (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, August 9. Daring exploits in the air have won for Flight Sergeant Ernest Leslie Joyce, of Hamilton, the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal. The citation to Flight Sergeant Joyce’s award states that he is an outstanding desert pilot and an experienced ground strafer. He took part in a night attack on the Martuba aerodrome and dived down to 500 feet under heavy clouds, dropping a flare under an intense barrage of anti-air-craft fire. Three runs across the target were made by Flight Sergeant Joyce until all his ammunition was exhausted. His daring on that occasion contributed much to the success of that raid in which about 12 enemy aircraft were destroyed. One night in June he found a Junkers 88 above him. By skilful manoeuvring he closed to within 50 yards and opened up with his guns. Three of his guns jammed, but he held on tenaciously and swept to another attack and shot the German down in flames. So far in the Middle East Flight Sergeant Joyce has destroyed two Junkers 88 by night, one Mosscrschmitt 109F, and two Fiat CR 42’s. He has also a good bag of probables and damaged. Before coming to the Middle East he had a share in the destruction of a Junkers 88 and a Hcinkel.