D.F.C. FOR N.Z. AIRMEN

Grey River Argus, 6 April 1943, Page 3

D.F.C. FOR N.Z. AIRMEN

ACTION AGAINST U-BOATS PA WELLINGTON, April 5. Aerial submarine hunting in northern waters was mentioned in citations accompanying the awards of the D F.C. to two members of the R.N.Z.A.F., Flying Officer Ivan Reid Mitchell, formerly of Waiotira, North Auckland, and Flying Officer Harold Arthur Poole, formerly of Invercarsill. 1 The citations state: Flying Officer Mitchell, as navigator, sighted a U-boat when his aircraft was engaged on anti-submarine duties. H,e immediately attacked the> vessel; as it was submerging, and inflicted serious damage. Four days later he was again navigator of an aircraft which so damaged a U-boat that it was beached in this attack. His aircraft sustained serious damage. Despite the damage it was flown back to'its base. Its safe return was largely due to Flying Officer Mitchell’s tenacity and initiative. On later occasions Flying Officer Mitchell participated in further determined attacks on U-boats arid displayed the utmost courage, perseverance and very materially assisted in maintaining the high standard of efficiency of his crew. He was born at Napier in 1916, educated at Hamilton Technical College and took up sheepfarming on his own account. He volunteered for the Air Force Service shortly after the outbreak, commenced training in 1941, and was commissioned in Canada. His father is Mr N. Mitchell, of Auckland. •Since May, 1941, Flying Officer Poole has fiown on many operational duties, involving attacks on enemy shipping patrols along the Dutch coast and on anti-submarine duties in the North Atlantic, the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean. He made several successful attacks on enemy U-boats and also damaged a Junkers 88 which was attempting to shadow a convoy. Flying Officer Poole is a hard-working, conscientious, courageous pilot. He was born in Invercargill in 1920, educated at the Southland Boys’ High School, and was later employed by Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd. On the outbreak of war he volunteered for the R.N.Z.A.F., was commissioned at the beginning of last year, and was promoted to his present rank in October last. His father is Mr C. H. Poole, of Invercargill.

Further Award

P.A. ■' WELLINGTON, April 5: His Majesty the King has approved of the' award of the D.F.C. to Temporary Sub-Lieut. R. Harris, R.N.Z.V.R., for good service in landing in North Africa. Sub-Lieut. Harris’ next of kin is his father, Mr W, Harris, of Christchurch.