N.Z. PILOT

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1940, Page 10

N.Z. PILOT

D.F.C. AWARD. WELLINGTON, August 17. Details of the exploits which gained the Distinguished Flying Cross for Flight-lieutenant Alan Christopher Deere, of Wanganui, have now been received in New Zealand and released by the Director of Publicity. Accordino- to the London Gazette of June, the award was made in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy. Flightlieutenant Deere, in company with his squadron, had during May taken part in numerous offensive patrols over Northern France and had been engaged in seven combats, often against superior numbers. In the course of these engagements he personally shot down five enemy aircraft and assisted in the destruction of others. On one occasion, in company with a second aircraft, he escorted a trainer aircraft to the Calais Marek aerodrom e for the .purpose of rescuing a squadron commander who was shown down there. The trainer aircraft was attacked by 12 Messerschmitt 109 fighters while taking off at Calais, but Flight-lieuten-ant Deere and his companion immediately attacked, shooting down three of the enemy aircraft and severely damaging three others. “Throughout these engagements, said the Gazette. “Flight-lieutenant Deere displayed courage and determination in the attacks on the enemy.” Flight-lieutenant Deere had an exciting experience not long after this when his aircraft was shot down over Belgium. He landed safely by parachute —in territory occupied by the enemy. Making his way to a road he held up a car with a revolver and then made a dash for it to Dunkirk, where th e great evacuation was soon to take place. He had to make his way through the spreading enemy front line, but despite'some “incidents” on the journey arrived safely, embarking on a destroyer. Flight-lieutenant Deere, in addition to his successes in the air, has won some notable victories in the boxing ring during his service career in Britain, and is mictcTie-weight champion of the Army, Navy and Air Force; H e had before leaving New Zealand won schoolboy boxing championships, and territorial championships, and had represented Wanganui in the New Zealand championshipsBorn at Auckland, Flight-lieutenant Deere will celebrate his twenty-third birthday next December. LONDON August 18. Flight Lieutenant Learoyd. V.C.. is a Folkstoneite.