N.Z. AIRMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 November 1943, Page 6

N.Z. AIRMEN

GRAY’S LATEST AWARD I WELLINGTON, November 22 Receiving a second bar to “is D.F.C. ,this month, Acting-Wing Commander Colin Falkland Gray, D. 5.0., D.F.C., and Bar, R.A.F., ot Gisborne, now tops the roll of honour , for British awards made to New Zealanders on active service overseas. Other New Zealand flyers have been four or more times decorated in this war, but‘none wear so great a row of British ribbons as Wing Commander Gray. The second bar is the first of its kind to be made to a New Zealander. His four awards bring tne total of air awards won by the Gray family to six for two brothers, nis twin, the late Pilot Officer Kenneth Neil Gray, having held the D.F.C. and the Czech War Cross. _ The latest citation states: Since being awarded the D. 5.0., V/in & Commander Gray has destroyed a further five enemy aircraft, bringing his victories to 27 aircraft destroyed. He is an exceptionally able pilot ana leader, and has completed a long and arduous tour of operations ana discharged his duties in the air and on the ground in an exemplary and highly praiseworthy manner.” CHRISTCHURCH PILOT’S D.S.O.

WELLINGTON, November 22. With only one engine functioning, Acting-Wing Commander Russel! Merriman Mackenzie, of Christchurch, recently flew a damaged aircraft from an action in the Aegean Sea to a safe landing in Cyprus. This and several other meritorious feats are mentioned in the citation to the award of the Distiguished Service Order just made to him, official advice of which has been received by the Air Department. Describing Wing Commander Mackenzie as an ‘‘excellent operational leader,” the citation states that he has also administered his squadron in an exemplary manner. As its leader he has led many strikes against the enemy. “His many meritorious feats of flying include sharing in the destruction of a Ju 88, ana a one-engine flight from the Aegean to Cyprus,” says the citation. “In July, 1943, in face of intense antiaircraft fire from the shore and ships in the harbour, Wing Commander Mackenzie shared in the destruction of a large armed enemy merchant ship. His personal courage and devotion to duty have always been ol the highest order, and it is due to his inspiration that his squadron has contributed successfully towards upsetting the flow of German supplies to the Dodecanese Islands.” Wing Commander Mackenzie received"’the A.F.C. two years ago for meritorious service in England, and the D.F.C. for Middle East service during the early part of this year. He first applied for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force in 1935, and left for the United Kingdom in 1937, when 23 years of age. HESSELYN A PRISONER Flight Lieutenant R. B. Hesselyn, D.F.C., D.F.M. and Bar, son of Mr and Mrs G. A. Hesselyn, Rosebery Street, Spreydon, who was reported missing after a fighter sweep over France on October 9, is a prisoner of war in Germany. This information was first received in a broadcast message from the Red Cross in Germany. Yesterday it was confirmed by a telegram from the New Zealand Air Department. Flight Lieutenant Hesselyn, who was shot down in a battle with two enemy fighters, is in hospital and is suffering from burns on the face, arms, and feet. It was stated in the message that the burns are healing and that he is recovering. One of New Zealand’s best known fighter pilots, Flight Lieutenant Hesselyn has a score of 22 enemy machines to his credit. His award of the D.F.C was announced shortly alter he was reported missing.