D.F.C. AWARDS TO TWO AIRMEN

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23948, 15 May 1943, Page 6

D.F.C. AWARDS TO TWO AIRMEN

BROUGHT CRIPPLED BOMBERS HOME (P.A.) WELLINGTON. May 14. The skill and courage of two New Zealand airmen in flying crippled bombers safely back from raids on enemy territory receive high commendation in citations accompanying. the awards of Distinguished Flying Crosses to Acting-Flight Lieutenant Allan Roy Scott (whose father is Mr W. C. Scott, Kumeu) and Flying Officer Alfred Bruce Smith (whose mother is Mrs B. M. Smith, Wellington). The citations state that Scott, who had always shown great determination and devotion to duty in numerous sorties, had his machine damaged by anti-aircraft fire while over Hamburg, but brought it safely home. While attacking Mannheim in April, his aeroplane had an engine damaged and the flare ignited in the flare parachute by German fighters. Nevertheless, he successfully attacked the target. Although the propeller and reduction gear belonging to the damaged engine fell away while he was over the target. Scott, with great skill and courage, brought the aircraft home. Smith completed many sorties in the Western Desert campaign, including attacks on El Alamein and Tobruk, and had shown great skill, coolness, and courage in trying conditions, twice getting his aeroplane back after damage by anti-aircraft fire. After an attack on Gabes in February, one engine failed and although the crew threw out all movable equipment, they were compelled to bring the aircraft down on the sea.