CONSPICUOUS BRAVERY

Evening Star, Issue 25070, 11 January 1944, Page 2

CONSPICUOUS BRAVERY

AIRMAN AWARDED B.E.M. SAVED BOMBER FROM DESTRUCTION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, January 11. When his heavily-laden bomber crashed and caught fire whilo taking off, Flight-sergeant Reginald Morris Fitzallen Simpson, R.N.Z.A.F., of Christchurch, despite great_ personal danger from fire and explosion, abandoned the blazing machine and moved to safety a nearby stationary bomber which was endangered uy .burinuu petrol and bombs. His feat lias been recognised by the. award of the British Empire Medal, official notification of which lias been received by the Air Department from London. The citation says that Simpson was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack a target in Italy. A tyre burst and caused it to crash and catch fire. The aircraft was carrying a large quantity of petrol and high" explosives. Simpson, realising that the second bomber would _ probably be destroyed when the explosion occurred, and with knowledge of the extreme danger and personal risk involved, decided to taxi, the second machine to a safe distance, lie .was in the act of priming its engines when the crashed bomber exploded, scattering bomb splinters aud fragments iiv all directions. With cool determination, however, he. continued his efforts and taxied the second bomber away undamaged. Under the most trying circumstances Simpson displayed courage and resolution worthy of the highest praise, concludes the citation. Trained as a pilot, he embarked for overseas service at the beginning of last vear. His wife. Mrs N. F. Simpson, "and mother. Mrs E. Simpson, live in Christchurch.