V.C. AWARDED TO N.Z. AIRMAN

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24814, 2 March 1946, Page 6

V.C. AWARDED TO N.Z. AIRMAN

Squadron Leader Trent, Of Nelson

VENTURA ATTACK ON POWER STATION

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 5.5 p.in.) LONDON, March 1. New Zealand’s eighth Victoria Cross of the recent war has been awarded to Squadron Leader Leopard Henry Trent, D.F.C., of Nelson, for his outstanding leadership while attacking in daylight a power station in Amsterdam on May 3, 1943. Squadron Leader Trent led 11 aircraft of No. 487 (New Zealand) Squadron, then equipped with Venturas. Ten of the aircraft, including Squadron Leader Trent’s, were shot down.

In spite of “murderous” opposition, Squadron Leader Trerft bombed the target, and shot down a Messerschmitt. He was miraculously thrown clear when his aircraft was hit. He was taken prisoner.

Squadron Leader Trent, who was recently transferred from the Royal Air Force to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, is the only living New Zealand airman to have won a Victoria Cross. Sergeant J. A. Ward was shot down shortly after winning the decoration and Flying Officer L. A. Trigg was killed at the time he won it.

The citation is as follows: — “On May 3. 1943, Squadron Leader Trent was detailed to lead a formaventypa aircraft in a daylight attack on a power station at Amsterdam. This operation was intended to encourage Dutch workmen in their resistance to enemy pressure. The tar? get was known to be heavily de? fended. The importance of bombing it regardless of enemy fighters or antiaircraft fire was strongly impressed on the air crews taking part in the operation. Before taking off Squadron Leader Trent told the deputy-leader that he was going over the target whatever happened. “All went well until the If Venturas and their fighter escort were nearing the Dutch coast. Then one -bomber was hit and had to turn back- Suddenly large numbers of enemy fighters •appeared. Our escorting fighters closed up for mutual protection“The bombers commenced their run up to the target. Unfortunately fighters detailed to support them over the target had reached the area too early and had been recalled. “Soon the bombers were attacked. Tfiey were at tfoe mercy pf IS to 20 Messerschmitts, which dived on them incessantly. Within fom- minutes six Venturas were destroyed. “Squadron Leader Trent continued on his course with the three remaining aircraft. In a short time twp more Venturas went down in flames. “Heedless of murderous attacks and of the heavy anti-aircraft fire which wap now encountered, Squadron Leader Trent completed an accurate bcn.bing run and even shot down a Messerschmitt at point blank range. Dropping his bombs ip the target area, he turned away. “The aircraft following him was shot dov.m op reaching the target Immediately afterwards hi? own aircraft was hit, went into,a spin, and broke up. Squadron Leader Trent and his navigator were thrown clear and became prisoners of war. The other two members of the prow perished. “On this, his twentyrfoyrth sortie, Squadron Leader Trent showed outstanding leadership. Such was the trust placed in this gallant leader that the other pilots followed him unwaveringly. His coql, unflinching courage and devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds rank with the finest examples of these virtues.” SQUADRON LEADER TRENT’S CAREER (P.A.) NELSON, March 1Squadron Leader Trent is the spn qf Mr and Mrs L. N. Trent, of Wakefield quay, Nelson. He was bom in Nelson 30 years ago and received his primary education at Takaka. After his parents moved to Nelson, he attended Nelson College from 1928 to 1934, passing the matriculation examination in 1933. He was an n.c.o. in the cadet corps and took part ip various school outdoor activities. As a member of the Nelson Golf Club he played qri a fqur handicap while still a college student. He won the Nelson provincial golf championship in 1934. An average student, his best work was on the practical side, especially at woodwork in which hia craftsmanship was, outstanding. He al?o devoted much of his time to tramping and deer stalking. In 1935, he joined the staff df Vesty Bros., at Napier, and in the following year was transferred to the firm’s Wellington branch so that he could study navigation, it being his intention then to join the Air Force. In 1936, out of 2000 applicants, he w as one of the first 12 selected for training m the Air Force- After gaining a commission at Wigram, he went to Great Britain tq join the Royal Air Force in 1937. When the war began. Squadron Leader Trent took part in some pf the earliest bombing opera? tions. He remained with Bomber Command until he was shot dqwn over enemy territory ip May, 1943, and became a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 3. Released when hostilities ended in Europe, he returned to Great Britain where h«* did refresher courses until he was recently posted to Transport Command. Squadron Leader Trent married Miss Ursula Woolhouse, of Kent, in 1940. They have one daughter, Christine, aged 4| years. MINISTER’S TRIBUTE MATTER QF PRIDE FOR ALL NEW SEALANDERS ” (P.A.) WELLINGTON. March 1. Announcing the award of the Victoria Cross to Squadron Leadef L. H. Trent. D.F.C., of Nelson,, the Minister qf Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) said that the award had been made for outstanding leadership and unflinching courage and devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds, during a daylight attack which he led on March 3. 1943, against a power station at Amsterdam. After dropping bombs on the target, his Ventura aircraft was shot down, and with his navigator he became a prisoner of war. It is the third award of the Victoria Cross to a New Zealand airman. “Squadron Leader Trent’s citation is' in the highest traditions of the service and is an example of the courage and devotion to dufy shown by New Zealand in all theatres of war,” Mr Jones said. “This award further enhances the high reputation New Zealand’s sons have gained qverseas, and should be a matter of pride for all New Zealaqders.” Squadron Leader Trent was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1940. He led a section of aircraft m a dive attack on targets in Maastricht. In the face of enemy anti-aircraft and fighter opposition he displayed great courage and determination-