AIR FORCE HONOURS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 32, 6 August 1942, Page 5

AIR FORCE HONOURS

AWARDS TO THREE N.Z. OFFICERS

(Rec. 1 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 5. ] The names of the following New Zea*! landers appear in the latest list of AH Force awards:—

Bar to the D.F.C.: Acting Wing Com*! mander Trevor Owen Freeman, D.S.O.* D.F.C., of Dunedin.

D.F.C.: Acting ' Flight Lieutenanl Thomas Welch Horton, Masterton, and Pilot Officer Alan George, D.F.M., od Taranaki.

The citation in respect to Wing Com-* mander Freeman says that he has completed further sorties, including attacks on Essen, Lubeck, the Ruhr, and also Rostock. He led a night attack in May against an aircraft factory at Warned munde, where, in the face of light anti-aircraft fire and searchlights, ha made six bombing attacks from a lo\tf level and also photographed the results, His aircraft was hit and damaged by gunfire. One engine failed 100 mile* from base, but Wing Commander Free* man , made a safe landing, more by sheer determination and good airman* ship. Recently, he attacked Essen, and, again from: a low level, and despite intense opposition from th« ground, made three separate runs up to the target.; He again. photographed his**fesints; "He'ha;?; jaroved^himself ar courageous - and.-* outstanding leader throughout: b his operational career, always inspiring his squadron with the spirit necessary for success. Flight Lieutenant Horton has successfully completed a number of shipping patrols and other operations, including a brilliant low-level attack on shipping at Rotterdam on August 28, 1941. "This excellent captain," it is stated, "has always displayed courage, resource, and skill above the average. His aircraft has repeatedly been hit and damaged. >He has landed safely three times after one of his engines had-been, put out"of action."

Pilot Officer George is described aa an outstanding captain, who has al»j ways endeavoured to reach his allotted, ', target and press home his attack. Re*! cently his plane was hit over Essen.] the main fuel feed pipeline being frac«l tured. Fuel poured out at the rate! of one gallon a minute. Pilot Officer, George determinedly headed for Eng- ; land and landed safely, almost without petrol. He participtated in raids ■■ on Stettin, Bremen, Poissy, Rostock/ and Warnemunde. His leadership ..and courage are outstanding. Wing Commander Freeman came to England in 1935 and enlisted in the, R.A.F., later transferring to the] , R.N.Z.A.F. Flight Lieutenant Horton1 enlisted in 1939 and Pilot Officer George in 1940.