EIGHTH OF THE WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 March 1946, Page 6

EIGHTH OF THE WAR

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN DAYLIGHT ATTACK MURDEROUS FIRE DEFIED LONDON, March 1. New Zealand’s eighth Victoria Cross of the recent war has been awarded to. Squadron Leader Leonard Henry Trent, D.F.C., of Nelson, for his outstanding leadership while attacking in daylight a power station in Amsterdam on May 3, 1943. Squadron Leader Trent led 11 aircraft of No. 487 (New Zealand) Squadron, then equipped with Venturas. - Ten of the aircraft, including Squadron Leader Trent’s were shot down.

In spile of “murderous” opposition, Squadron Leader Trent bombed the target, and shot down a Messerschmitt. He was miraculously thrown clear when his aircraft was hit. He was taken prisoner. Squadron Leader Trent, who was recently transferred from the Royal Air Force to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, is the only living New Zealand airman to have won a Victoria Cross. Sergeant J. A. Ward was shot down shortly after winning the decoration and Flying Officer L. , A. Trigg was killed at the time he 'won it. The Citation. The citation is as follows:— “On May 3, 1943, Squadron Leader Trent was detailed to lead a formation of Ventura aircraft in a daylight attack on a power station at Amsterdam. This operation was intended to encourage Dutch workmen in their resistance to enemy pressure. The target was known to be heavily defended. The importance of bombing it regardless of enemy fighters or anti-aircraft fire was strongly impressed on the air crews taking part in the operation. Before taking off Squadron Leader Trent told the deputy-leader that he was going over the target whatever happened. “All went well until the 11 Venturas and their fighter escort were nearing the Dutch coast. Then one bomber was hit and had to turn back. Suddenly large numbers -of enemy fighters appeared. Our escorting fighters closed up for mutual protection. “The bombers commenced their run up to the target. Unfortunately fighters detailed to support them over the target had reached the area too early and had been recalled. “Soon the bombers were attacked. They were at the mercy of 15 to 20 Messerschmitts, which dived on them incessantly. Within four minutes six Venturas were destroyed. “Squadron Leader Trent continued on his course with the three remaining aircraft. In a short time two more Venturas went down in flames.

Heedless of Attacks. “Heedless of murderous attacks and of heavy anti-aircraft fire which was now encountered, Squadron Leader Trent completed an accurate bombing run and even shot down a Messerschmitt at point blank range. Dropping his bombs in the target area he turned away. “The aircraft following him was shot down on reaching the target. Immediately afterwards his own aircraft was hit, went into a spin, and broke up. Squadron Leader Trent and his navigator were thrown clear and became prisoners of war. The other two members of the crew perished. “On this, his twenty-fourth sortie, Squadron Leader Trent showed outstanding leadership. Such was the trust placed in this gallant leader that the other pilots followed him unwaveringly. His cool, unflinching courage and devotion to duty in the face of overwehlming odds rank with the finest examples of these virtues.”

MINISTER’S TRIBUTE

< ‘ UNFLINCHING COUK AGE ’ ’

(P..A.) WELLINGTON, March 1. Announcing the award of the Victoria Cross to Squadron Leader L. H. Trent, D.F.C., of Nelson, the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) said that the award had been made for outstanding leadership and unflinching courage and devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds, during a daylight attack which he led on March 3, 1943, against a power station at Amsterdam. After dropping bombs on the target, his Ventura aircraft was shot down, and with his navigator he became a prisoner of war. It is the third award of the Victoria Cross to a New Zealand airman.

“Squadron Leader Trent’s citation is in the highest traditions of the service and is an example of the courage and devotion’to duty shown by New Zealand in all theatres of war,” Mr. Jones said. “The award further enhances the high 'reputation New Zealand’s sons have gained overseas, and should be a matter of pride for all New Zealanders.”

Squadron Leader Trent was awarded the Distinguished*' Flying Cross in 1940. He led a section of aircraft in a dive attack on targets in Maastricht. In the face of enemy anti-air-craft and fighter opposition he displayed great courage and determination.

CAREER OF WINNER JOINED AIRFORCE TN .1936 (P.A.) NELSON, March 1. Squadron Leader Trent is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Trent, of Wakefield quay, Nelson. He was born in Nelson 30 years ago and received his primary education at Takaka. After his parents moved to Nelson, he attended Nelson College from 1928 to 1934, passing the matriculation examination in 1933. He was an n.c.o. in the cadet corps and took part in ,various school outdoor activities. As a member of the Nelson Golf Club he played on a four handicap while still a college student. He won the Nelson provincial golf championship in 1934. An average student, his best work was on the practical side, especially at woodwork in which his craftsmanship was outstanding. He also devoted much of his time to tramping and deer stalking. In 1935, he joined the staff of Vesty Bros., at Napier, and in the following year was transferred to the firm’s Wellington branch so that he could study navigation, it being his intention then to join the Air Force. In 1936, out of 2000 applicants, he was one of the first 12 selected for training in the Air Force. After gaining a commission at Wigram, he went to Great Britain to join , the Royal Air Force in 1937. When the war began, Squadron Leader Trent took part in some of the earliest bombing operations. He remained with Bomber Command until he was shot down over enemy territory in May, 1943, and be-

came a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 3. Released when hostilities ended in Europe he returned to Great Britain where he did refresher courses until he was recently posted to Transport Command. . . Squadron Leader Trent married Miss Ursula Woolhouse, of Kent, in 1940. They have one daughter, Christine, aged 41 years. MR. ELLIOTT - TO ENTER CHURCH (PA.) ' WELLINGTON, March 1. Mr. Keith Elliott, of Mangamaire, Wairarapa, a New Zealand winner of the Victoria Cross, is likely to become a priest of the Church of England. He will begin studies for Holy Orders this year. LIST OF v.c. winners; Squadron Leader L. H. Trent, V.C., D.F.C., is the eighth New Zealand serviceman of the 1939-45 war to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Six of the previous eight awards, including one bar to the. Victoria Cross, were won by soldiers of the 2nd New Zealand Division, and two were made to pilots of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

The previous Victoria Cross winners were:—Captain C. H. Upham ' (V.C. and bar), Lieutenant K. Elliott, Sergeant J. D. Hinton, Sergeant A. C. Hulme, Second-Lieutenant M. Ngarimu, Sergeant J. A. Ward, Flying Officer Trigg. The awards to Flying Officer Trigg and Second-Lieutenant Ngarimu were made posthumously. Twelve New Zealanders won the Victoria Cross during the I Q I4-18 War.