COOL BRAVERY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 8, 11 January 1944, Page 4

COOL BRAVERY

SAVING A BOMBER

When his heavily-laden bomber crashed and caught fire while taking off, Flight Sergeant Reginald Norris Fitzallen Simpson, R.N.Z.A.F., of Christchurch, despite great personal danger from fire and explosion, abandoned the blazing aircraft and moved to safety a stationary bomber nearby which was endangered by the burning petrol and bombs. His feat has been rcognised with an award of the British Empire Medal, official notification of which has been received from London by the Air Department.

"Flight Sergeant Simpson was captain of an aircrafCdetailed to attack an enemy target in Italy," states the citation to his award. "While takingoff, a tyre burst, causing the bomber to swing and turn through a complete circle, after which it crashed and caught fire. The aircraft .was carrying a large quantity of petrol and high explosives, and realising the probability that, on the aircraft exploding, a second bomber would, also be destroyed, and with the knowledge of the extreme danger and personal risk involved, Flight Sergeant Simpson decided to taxi the latter aircraft to a safe distance.

"He was in the act of priming the engines when the crashed bomber exploded, scattering bomb splinters and fragments in all directions. With cool determination, however, Flight Sergeant Simpson continued his efforts, and taxied the second bomber away undamaged under the most trying circumstances. This airman displayed courage and resolution worthy of the highest praise." An insurance inspector before he entered the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1941, Flight Sergeant Simpson was born at Christchurch in 1917, and received his secondary education at the Cathedral Grammar School, Christchurch. Trained as a pilot, he embarked for overseas service at the beginning of last year. His wife and mother live in Christchurch,