FLYING-OFFICER VERNON.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4483, 3 September 1940, Page 3

FLYING-OFFICER VERNON.

Further details of the circumstances of the disappearance of Flying-Officer 'J. E. Vernon son of Mr and Mrs G. | M. It. Vernon, of Central Shoto-ve-r. | who was reported missing in France on June 7. are given in U letter from his wing comimuiider. who also describes the action for which the New Zealander gained the D.F.C. Flying-Officer Vernon wasi in. one of two aircraft despatched to bomb a target in the Abbeville area on June 7. and when last seen by the pilot of the other 'plane he was in vicinity of the target. There was little enemy opposition, either from the ground or in the air. and it is: possible that he made a forced Landing and wasi taken prisoner. The wing-commander goes on to describe the action on May 26 for which Flying-Officer Vernon was awarded the U.F.C. He was- leader of a halfsection of aircraft with orders to attack a chateau in Belgium which had been reported as the meeting place ,pf a number of German Air Force generals'. A severe rainstorm was encountered and the two aircraft lost touch. Flying-Officer Vernon attacked the target by dive bombing from 6000 to 3000 feet, and obtained direct hits on the building Throughout the attack the aircraft was under continuous- anti-aircraft fire and on leaving the target was attacked by enemy ’planes. Great damage was done to the British "plane and the observer and gunner were both wounded. Two ememy "planes were, however, .sent down out of control. The bomber began to lose height, and Flying-Officer Vernon was■foroed to make a landing in No Man’s, Land. He set fire to his "plane, and the three men tried to reach safety. They .became separated while inking cover and the two wounded men were taken prisoner. Flying-Officer Vernon narrowlv missed being captured and an hour Later reached the French lines. For his “outstanding conduct and devotion to duty,” he was awarded the D.F.C.