BOMBER SQUADRON

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1941, Page 6

BOMBER SQUADRON

A WONDERFUL NAME

OVER SEVENTY-FIVE AWARDS

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, This Day. The New Zealand Bomber Squadron had made a wonderful name for itself and with over 75 awards, including the Victoria Cross and D.5.0., was probably the most decorated squadron in the Royal Air Force, said Group Captain Buckley, M.8.E., who has returned to New Zealand after commanding the famous 75th Squadron and later'being in charge of the station including that | squadron and another squadron 'of mixed personnel. Group Captain Buckley said that in six weeks after the Wellingtons of the squadron took over operational flights they bombed Norway, Denmark, Holland, Germany, occupied France, and Turin. % , ! The R.A.F. bombing offensive, intensified a few months ago, was going well, and-the damage to the Ruhr and Rhine was comparable with London. Some of the raids since June were terrific. ■ ~■' .■ ■ Sergeant Pilot Ward, V.C., had had only six flights when he performed the epic deed that won him his decoration.' It was a fine show, and so were the celebrations at the stations following the award, New Zealanders forgathering from stations widely separated.He was sorry to leave the squadron and his association with its fine pilots and crews, said Group Captain Buckley, who is accompanied by Mrs. Buckley, who is looking forward to .joining her daughter after 18 months' separation. 'Group Captain and Mrs. Buckley leave tonight for Wellington..