PILOT'S THRILLS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 7, 9 July 1945, Page 4

PILOT'S THRILLS

EVADED CAPTURE

CITATIONS TO AWARDS

A successful fighter pilot in the Battle of Malta, forced down on to the English Channel in 1943, reported missing on operations and later reclassified as presumed dead, later again—l 2 months afterwards —further reclassified as safe, and now back in New Zealand with his English wife and posted to the Reserve of Officers, Flight Lieutenant James E. Mortimer, of Auckland, had a service career dating from early in 1941 that was not without its thrills and hardships. It has been rounded off by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation to the award summarises service in the Mediterranean and the United Kingdom and states that after he was forced down on to the sea he reached enemy-occupied territory and evaded capture for nearly a year before he found his way back to the United Kingdom. Flight Lieutenant Mortimer is 29 years old, and his father is Mr. E. Mortimer, 28 Trinity Street, Herne Bay, Auckland. PILOT'S FEAT. A hazardous flight and a masterly return to base in a damaged aircraft are reviewed in the citation to the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flying Officer John. H. T. Wood, of Dargaville.. Flymg Officer Wood was pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack the synthetic oil plants at Merseburg. While over the target, the aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire. "A fire started in the nose of the aircraft," the citation states. "Although some of the flying instruments had been put out of action and in spite of thick smoke which obscured his vision, Flying Officer Wood regained control. In the most trying moments his coolness was inspiring to the rest of his crew. He managed to fly the aircraft safely back to England He displayed the highest qualities of determination and devotion to duty in the face of the most harassing circumstances." Flying Officer Wood's mother is Mrs. J. Wood, Maropiu, Dargaville. GALLANT NAVIGATOR. Great gallantry on the part of the navigator of the aircraft on this mission won the Distinguished Flying Medal for Flight Sergeant John A. W. Pauling, of Wellington. While the pilot (Flying Officer Wood) was getting the aircraft under control, Flight Sergeant Pauling went to the assistance of the bomb aimer, whose clothing was on fire.. "He succeeded in extinguishing the flames on his comrade's clothing," the citation states, "and then turned his attention to the burning part of the aircraft. Greatly encouraged by his pilot, Flight Sergeant Pauling worked strenuously and ultimately succeeded in putting out the fire completely. Together with the pilot, this gallant navigator displayed the highest qualities of determination and devotion to duty in the face of the most harassing circumstances." Flight Sergeant Pauling, whose mother is Mrs. E. Pauling, 18 Cameron Street, Kaiwarra, Wellington, is an old boy of Nelson and Wairarapa Colleges, and was a young athlete well known in Wellington before he entered the R.N.Z.A.F. early in 1942. JUNKERS 88 DESTROYED. A consistently high degree of skill and unswerving devotion to duty are recognised in the citation to the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flight Lieutenant Graeme F. Reed, of Auckland. "Flight Lieutenant Reed has undertaken many j sorties," it states. "One night in March, 1945. in extremely adverse weather, he assisted in the destruction of a Junkers 88. The next night his crew was responsible for the destruction of another enemy aircraft operating over the Rhine bridgehead. Flight I Lieutenant Reed's conduct at all times has been exemplary." Flight Lieutenant Reed's mother is Mrs. F. Reed, 13 Royal Terrace, Sandringham, Auckland. A RESOLUTE PILOT. Attacks on enemy shipping constituted a large part of the operational experience of Flying Officer Harold H. Blampied, of Auckland, and the citation to the immediate award to him of the Distinguished Flying Cross says that in all operations he showed unfailing devotion to duty, coupled with high qualities of skill and bravery. Flying Officer Blampied, a well-known Auckland yachtsman, is the son of Mr. M. Blampied, 12 Beresford Street, Bayswater, Auckland. Polish Constitution. Let Mr. Galbraith explain that, if he can-.,, . About the other matters raised by Mr. Galbraith. I have already expressed my views in your columns, and I am anxious not to trespass unduly upon your space. I cannot conclude, however, without thanking the "Evening Post" for giving me space to state what is not a very popular view, or without expressing the hope that the firm bonds that now unite the Communist and the Conservative leaders may be used in the future to better purpose.—l am, etc., HAROLD MILLER.