Six Gallant N.Z. Airmen Win Awards

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1944, Page 6

Six Gallant N.Z. Airmen Win Awards

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day

In recognition of their line achievements, six award's have been made to New Zealand air crew members serving overseas, according to advice received by the Air Department Wellington. These comprise four D.F.Cs., and two D.F.Ms.,, the recipients being:— Distinguished Flying Cross: Acting-Squadron-Leader Jonathan Arthui Neilson, Haumcna, Hawke’s Bay; Flight-Lieutenant John David Grubb, Wellington: Acting-Flight-Lieuten-ant John Daniels Woods, Hampden, North Otago; Acting-Flight-Lieuten-ant Cedric Gay, Waipukurau. Distinguished Flying Medal: PilotOfficer Herbert Alexander Pond, Matamata; Plight-Sergeant Maxwell Graham Frane Dowman, Opunake, Taranaki. Born at Dunedin, Flight-Lieutenant Woods was educated at Oarnaru. and be fore entering the Air Force was employed at Dunedin. Flew Winged Bird Heme

Pilot-Officer Pond has taken part in attacks cn seme of the enemy’s major targets, according to the citation, which detailed one exploit in August, 1943. when ho was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Nuremberg. After bombing tiv target, the port inner engine was hit by fire from a hostile fighter, the intercommunication system being rendered useless, and the aircraft was severely damaged, but Pilot-Officer Pond got his aircraft heme. Pilot-Officer Pond was born and educated at Matamata. and engaged in farming there before joining the Ail Force.

Among Fliglu-Sorgeant Dcwman’s operational sorties was a low-level attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, says the citation. He was rear-gunner, and it •• was largely owing to his skilful and effective use of his guns that his captain was able to complete the protracted search for Ihc target from a very low level. Flight-Ser-geant Dowman, who was born at Opunake, formerly engaged in dairy factory work.