GREEK AWARDS

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1944, Page 2

GREEK AWARDS

TO N.Z. SOLDIERS LONDON, June 20. The Greek Order of the Grand Commander Order of the Phoenix was conferred on Lieut.-General Sir Bernard Freyberg. Other members of New Zealand Forces awarded Greek decorations are: Silver Cross of the Order of King George I: Major G. B. Palmer. Silver Cross of the Order of the Phoenix: Captain J. R. S. Sealey, Lieut. (Tern. Capt.) L. J. Stroude; Captain (Tern Major) G. H. Stace. Medal for outstanding services: Tern. Warrant Officer D. K. Collison; Staff Sergeant F. O. C. Sainty, Sergeants L. J. Knox, H. K. Amner, L. G. Mendelssohn. S. W.. Fleming and D F. McMaster. D.F.C. FOR NEW ZEALANDER WELLINGTON, June 21. Wounded in the leg, arms and throat when his aircraft was struck by flak, a Beaufighter pilot, FlightSergeant M. L. Langley, R.N.Z.A.F., formerly of Wellington, finished his attack on a German ship and brought his damaged aircraft safely back. Foithis and other displays of courage and fortitude, he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, according to advice received by the Air Department, Wellington. A cable message from London stales that Langley made such a good landing that ambulance men summoned to meet the plane thought they had misunderstood the message. The English navigator said that they had been making a reconnaissance over the Dutch coast when they came upon a large enemy convoy. The convoy’s anti-aircraft guns obtained hits on the Beaufighter. The navigator said: “Despite his wounds Langley dived to silence some of the guns, apparently thinking of the chaps in the aircraft coming behind us.” The citation to the award says that Langley has taken part in many attacks on enemy shipping and has set a fine example of skill and dash'. Last month he took part in an attack on a heavily-armed convoy and obtained a hit on one of the vessels. He also used his machine-guns to good effect on two mine-sweepers. Some days later, he and his navigator were again in action against enemy shipping. At the start of the fight Langley was wounded in the arms, throat and thigh, but he pressed home the attack and then flew his aircraft back to his base. Langley’s R.A.F. navigator was decorated with the D.F.C. for his part in the same operations. . . Langley was born in Dunedin and completed his education in Australia. He was subsequently employed in Wellington.