N.Z. NAVAL AIRMAN

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 June 1944, Page 4

N.Z. NAVAL AIRMAN

(N.Z.P.A. Special Australian Correspondent)

LONDON, June 5. The unusual distinction of being promoted from Sub-Lieutenant to Lieutenant-Commander in the Fleet Air Arm in sixteen months is held by R. J. Fisher, D.S.C., of Gisborne, who is marrying Miss Elaine Baker, of Aidworth, Berkshire, at Saint Mary Abbot’s, Kensington, to-mor-row (Wednesday). Lieut.-Commander Fisher arrived in England in May, 1941, and was trained in torpedo-carrying aircraft. He then flew in bomb-carrying Albacores, and carried out many successful night bombing attacks between Dieppe and the Hook of Holland, sinking three ships, possibly a sinking two, and damaging eight. Little thus far has been heard of such attacks by members of the Fleet Air Arm, but they met with considerable success, particularly against E-boats. Lieut.-Commander Fisher also carried out two successful airsea rescue reconnaissances at night. He located a Canadian Mosquito crew in a dinghy only fifteen miles from Dunkirk, and dropped flares. Another time lie foura the crew of a Flying Fortress in their dinghy, his messages and flares again bringing help. For the last six months’ Fisher has been training with a Barracuda dive-bombing squadron. He lias now been taken off for a rest period, as an instructor. He was awarded the D.S.C. last November for ‘‘successful air operations against enemy shipping.”

AWARDS TO AIRMEN. WELLINGTON, June 7. The following air awards were announced to-day:— { Distinguished Flying Cross.—Flight Lieutenant Evan Oswald Breckon Father Mr. A. N. Breckon, Auckland. Acting Flight Lieutenant Ronald Hartley, Auckland. Flying Officer Hector John Plank. Wife, Mrs. E. J. Plank, Wellington. Flying Officer Murray Stephen Roberts. Father, Mr. M. S. Roberts, Wellington. Flying Officer David Hamilton Tudhope. Father Mr. W. Tudhope, Hamilton. Flying Officer Colin Roy Baker. Mother, Mrs. K. Baker, Auckland.., Flying Officer 'Ronald Deans Milne. Father, Mr. E. R. Milne, Timaru. Pilot Officer Wilbert Anderson. Mother, Mrs. W. R. Anderson, Wellington. British Empire Medal.—Sergeant Pete?’ George Petersen. Father, Mr. A. W. Petersen, Morrinsville.