Immediate Award Of D.S.O. For N.Z. Airman

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1944, Page 3

Immediate Award Of D.S.O. For N.Z. Airman

(Special. 11.30 a.m.l LONDON, Nov. 29

The immediate award of the D.S.O. has been made to Squadron-Leader D. H. Hammond (Christchurch), who already holds the D.F.C, and Bar. He is one of the flight commanders in the New Zealand Beaufighter torpedo-bomber squadron. Squadron-Leader Hammond has had a distinguished career. He did his first tour in the Mediterranean, where he won the D.F.C. in April, 1942, the citation staling that when he was returning from an operation in Libya he observed another aircraft of his squadron, which crashed in enemy territory. He made two attempts to land and rescued two members of the crew. He destroyed the aircraft with gunfire ancl returned safely. He was awarded the Bar to the D.F.C. last September in recognition of his operations with the New Zealand squadron, in one of which he destroyed a mediumsized vessel oil Norway in July. Last Ocl ober he led 75 Beaufighters, comprising Australian, New Zealand and English squadrons, in an attack on Dcnhelder harbour. His comments at the briefing amused all the crews, for after other officers had finished giving instructions, Squadron-Leader said: “Well, we are going in'and we aye going to make an attack, rip, tear, or bust. Come, on, let’s go.” It was a most successful attack. Squadron-Leader Hammond is regarded as an excellent leader, and is a most popular officer.