N.Z. AIRMEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 23 December 1942, Page 5

N.Z. AIRMEN

VISIT BY MR JORDAN ' CHRISTMAS GREETINGS EXTENDED London, Dec. 21. Christmas greetings were extended by Mr Jordan, New Zealand High Commissioner, to a number of New Zealanders at various stations of the Bomber Command when he continued a round of visits accompanied by Air Commodore A. de T. Nevill, New Zea land liaison officer in England. Mr Jordan also read them a message from Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air, to Mr F. Jones, New Zealand Minister of Defence, praising the part played in the war by New Zealand airmen. At a station commanded by Group Captain E. G. Olson (New Plymouth), they met men who are flying four-engined Stirlings and also New Zealanders who are “pathfinders,” their role being to locate targets and light them up with flares in order that the following aircraft can see the targets clearly.

Among those flying Stirlings Mr Jordan met Sergeants J. H. Dodds (Dunedin), R. A. Nelson and I. W. Renner (Gisborne), I. C. McColl (Taihape), P. Devine (Marlborough). E. B. Mossman (King Country), G. K. Easter (Cambridge), R. J. Noonan and A. S. Forbes (Christchurch), J. P. McDonnell (Ashburton). G. A. Howard (Wellington), N. S. Craddock (Auckland).

Among the pathfinders met at this station were Pilot Officer J. F. Barron. D.F.M. (Palmerston, Otago), who has carried out 55 raids in Stirlings, including four visits to Genoa and Milan, and three to Turin. He has probably carried out more raids in Stirlings than any other pilot. Pilot Officer J. Marshall (Napier), who has 46 raids to his credit, is Barron’s observer. Other Pathfinders are Flight Lieutenant B. Martin (Christchurch), Flying Officers F. Hilton (Auckland), B. Y. Crawford (Bluff). Sergeants L. D. Enright (Christchurch). J. Ellis (Waihi), C. F. P. Bowen (Auckland), V. W. Dempsey (Taumarunui), T. J. Elliot (Wellington), B. L. Peterson (Te Kuiti), W. I. Hansen (Dannevirke).

At another station Mr Jordan met New Zealand pathfinders operating Wellingtons. including Flight Lieutenants R. S. D. Kearns (Reefton) who has carried out 39 raids, W. A. C. Ball (Wellington) who is on his second tour ot operations, E. N. Gray (Petone), Warrant Officers E. M. Greaves (Darfield) and F. V. Watkinfc (Dargaville), FlightSergeants D. G. Ridings (Whangarei), H. E. S. Pricef (Southland), H. Barclay (Dunedin), M. W. Egerton (Winton), J. A. Moller (Hawera), Sergeants M. G. Dowman (Opunake), E. Cuthbert (Dunedin), J. E. Bernham (New Plymouth). Pathfinders receive extra pay when they complete a second tour and at 45 raids they wear a small eagle as a distinguishing badge. Mr Jordan and Air Commodore de Nevill also called at Ely Hospital, where they found Pilot Officer R. A. Colville (Christchurch), Sergeants K. H. Doherty (Otahuhu), J. J. Marshall (Tauranga) and H. R. Johnson (Woodville) making good progress.—P.A. Special Correspondent.