BRAVE AIR OFFICERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 136, 10 June 1940, Page 10

BRAVE AIR OFFICERS

AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY

(Britlsl) Offictal Wireless.) (Received June 10, 12.50 p.m.)

RUGBY, June 9,

Amongst the names of officers of the R.A.F. who have been awarded decorations is Flight-Lieutenant G. A. Leathart, who has been given the D.S.O.

During May this officer led his squadron on a large number of offensive patrols over northern France. Onlone occasion an attack was made on a formation of no less than 60 enemy aircraft. ■ In company with his squadron he has shot down 15 Messei'schmitts, possibly one Heinkel 111, and one Junkers 88 during the month.

He also flew a trainer aircraft to Calais aerodrome to rescue a squadron commander who had been shot down there but was uninjured.1. While he was taking off after the rescue an attack was made by twelve Messerschmitt 109's, but with great coolness and skilful evasive tactics he succeeded in shaking off the enemy and landed again without damage. Subsequently he took off and flew back to England without escort.

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.) (Received June 10, 1 p.m.)

PARIS, June 9. Francois Beaudoin, of the French Air Force, is the third member of the Chamber of Deputies to be awarded the Croix de Guerre for gallantry.