MORE D.F.C'S

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 129, 27 November 1940, Page 8

MORE D.F.C'S

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

SERVICE WITH THE R.A.F.

More New Zealand airmen have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, according to information received at Air Headquarters, Wellington, yesterday. They are:—

Acting Fight Lieutenant Cecil Dunn Milne, R.A.F., Auckland.

Flying Officer William Maxwell Nixon, R.A.F., Pukerau, Otago.

Pilot Officer Peter /Wynn Mason West, R.A.F., Palmewston North.

(Received November 27, 12.30 p.m.)

LONDON, November 26,

Regarding Pilot Officer Peter Wynn Mason West, the citation states that he has participated in 33 flights, 11 of them as captain of his plane, comprising 216 flying hours. His skill and coolness as a navigator and bomb aimer have largely contributed to the success of the operations and he has displayed coolness and determination in pressing home attacks. The D.F.C. has also been awarded to another New Zealander, Squadron Leader Norman Maxwell Boffee, who was decorated for a recent night attack on the Munich railway yard. He was the first to locate the target, which was successfully bombed, causing fires which were instrumental in guiding subsequent planes! He has participated ml 27 raids.

An officer whose squadron staved off a bombing attack on London was one of two who received a bar to the D.F.C. in the latest list of R.A.F. awards. He is Acting Flight Lieutenant Villa, a Londoner, who has the destruction of 13 hostile aircraft to his credit.

A determined attack by the squadron which he led caused the enemy to jettison its bombs and form a defensive circle.

The other officer was Lancashire born and bred Pilot Officer Neil, who "engaged a Junkers 87 which he destroyed within six minutes. He was then attacked by three Messerschmitt 109's, two of which he destroyed. His magnificent fighting spirit has enabled him to destroy at least 11 aircraft."

The list of awards also includes seven D.F.C.S —one of which is to a New Zealander—and one D.F.M.