Gallantry of Balloon Crews Praised

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 228, 26 September 1940, Page 8

Gallantry of Balloon Crews Praised

AIR CHIEF’S TRIBUTE (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Sept. 24. The gallantry and devotion to duty of balloon crews arc warmly praised in the following message from Air Chief Marshal Sir Cyril Newall to Air Vice-Marshal Boyd, Air Officer Commanding the Balloon Command;— “At the conclusion of a year of war, I must convey to you my admiration for the splendid way in which the balloon crews in your command have performed their duties. They have throughout been called upon to work long hours, often in conditions of much discomfort and exposed to all weathers. “Until recently,” the message adds, “your command had few opportunities of service of a spectacular nature. On the other hand, their success cannot be measured by the number of enemy aircraft they bring down, but by the general efficiency with which they play their part in air defence. By keeping enemy bombers and fighters at a height where they can be effectively engaged by our fighters or anti-aircraft fire, they have been invaluable members of the team upon the success of whose whole operations the safety of the entire country depends.

“With the opening-up of air warfare over this country on a large scale during the past month, the many balloon crews have carried out duties of a most spectacular and successful nature, often under heavy attack from the enemy.”