VICTORIA CROSS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21506, 11 September 1944, Page 4

VICTORIA CROSS

AWARD TO AIRMAN CONSPICUOUS BRAVERY OUTSTANDING RECORD RUGBY. Sept. 8. The Victoria Cross has been awarded "in recognition of most conspicuous bravery” to Wing Commander G. L. Cheshire, who holds the D.S.O. and two bars and the D.F.C. In October, 1943, after three operational lours, he undertook a fourth, relinquishing the rank of group captain at his own request so that he could again take part in operations. Wing Commander Cheshire led the squadron personally on every occasion, always undertaking the most dangerous and difficult task of marking the target alone from a low level in tiie face of strong defences.

His cold, calculated acceptance of risks is exemplified in the attack on Munich in April. 1944. This was an experimental attack lo lest a new method of target-marking from a low level against a heavily defended target situated deep in Reich territory. Munich was selected at Wing Commander Cheshire's request because of the formidable nature of its light A.A. and searchlight defences. He made the flight in bad weather continuously under heavy fire, and when over the target, despite the fact that lie was brightly illuminated from above and below and all the guns within range opened on him, he dived to 700 ft. and dropped the markers with great precision. His aircraft was badly hit by shell fragments, but he continued to fiy over the target, area and to direct other aircraft to the target. He came under particularly heavy lire in disengaging himself from the enemy, but came safely through.

He has now completed a total of 100 missions, and in four years of lighting against the bitterest opposition has maintained a record of outstanding personal achievement, placing himself invariably in the forefront of the battle.