GALLANT AIRMEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 98, 25 March 1941, Page 5

GALLANT AIRMEN.

DECORATIONS EARNED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 23. A squadron-leader who has completed more than 100 sorties by day and night receives the D.vS.O. in the latest list of R.A.E. awards. The officer, who already holds the D.F.C., is Squadron-Leader J. R. Gordon-Finlay-son, son of Lieutenant-General Sir R. Gordon-Ei.nlayson, G.O.C. Western Command. Captain S. A. B. Theron, of the South African Air Force, wins the D.F.C. for operations in East Africa. According to an official announcement, ho intercepted and shot down enemy aircraft near Daghbur. Later in the same day he destroyed one of two Italian Gaproni 42’s which attempted to attack Daghbur aerodrome. Two days later in an attack by our lighters on Diredawa aerodrome, he shot down a Caproni <l2 and destroyed four Savoia bombers on the ground. Another D.F.C. goes to Bilot-Officer H. Paterson, who was detailed one night this month to attack a German cruiser of the Hipper class at Brest. While he was reconnoitring at about 7000 ft a flare dropped by-another aircraft illuminated the target, whereupon Pilot-Officer Paterson decided to attack. Diving to 3000 ft in face of heavy opposition from the ground defences, he released several heavy bombs. During the flight searchlights were machine-gunned, and, while the pilot was over the sea, a boat was also machine-gunned from a. height of only />oft. Though his aircraft was severely damaged and difficult to handle, I ilot()fliccr Paterson succeeded in returning to this country and landing his aircraft safely. This/officer has completed 20 operational flights.