RAID ON DIEPPE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23750, 23 September 1942, Page 2

RAID ON DIEPPE

N.Z. AIRMAN WINS D.P.C.

HAZARDOUS SMOKE-LAYING OPERATIONS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept 22. Official advice of the first award; to a New Zealand airman for outstanding services in the air support given iiutb# Dieppe action has been received. .Flying Officer Renton Stewart Rutherford, > R.N.Z.A.F., of Opotiki, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. ■ The citation says that he displayed courage, skill, and devotion to duty of the highest order in successfully accomplishing a most dangerous, vital work. On the night of August 19 he was navigator in the leading aircraft of a bombing formation whose mission was to release smoke bombs ,to screen troops landing on beaches near Dieppe. Upon the accuracy of this initial smoke sortie depended the success of subsequent smoke-laying operations, and in a great measure the success and safety of the entire combined operation. In spite of many disadvantages and hasards, Flying Officer Rutherford successfully furnished his pilot with accurate navigational guidance, and thus led the whole formation right through the operation without mishap. . Born at Edinburgh in 1909, Flying Officer Rutherford came to New Zealand in 1928 and engaged in farming. He was educated at Daniel Stewarts College, Edinburgh, and the Hertfordshire Agricultural College. He was a farm manager at Toatoa, Opotiki, before he began training as an observer towards the end of 1940. He was promoted to the rank of flying officer m July, 1942, Hik wife is Mrs F. K. E. Rutherford, of Toatoa. . . Official advice has been received ox the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Squadron Leader Donald Canson. R.A.F., who has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft. He has a large list of operational sorties to his credit. The citation says he is a ski.ful and energetic squadron commander, who by outstanding ’ personal example has brought his squadron to the highest pitch of fighting efficiency. Squadron Leader Carlson was born at Owhango in 1912, and was educated at the Owhango Primary School and the Wellington Boys’ College, where he established a good sporting record. He learned to fly with the Waikato branch of the Auckland Aero Club, at Hamilton, He left New Zealand in 1947 to undertake a short-service commission in the Royal Air Force. His father is Mr A. Carlson, of Okoroire, Waikato.