DECORATED BY KING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23545, 4 January 1940, Page 7

DECORATED BY KING

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN NIGHT RECONNAISSANCE ORDEAL GALLANTLY BORNE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 3, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 2 The King has awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross to two New Zealanders, Pilot-Officer Kenneth Neil Gray, of Gisborne (pilot), and Frank Hugh Long, of Masterton j (navigator), for a night reconnaissance over enemy territory in a November snowstorm. The aeroplane was badly affected by ice and subjected to anti-aircraft fire, but nevertheless the flight was continued. It was impossible, however, to reach the objective, the weather making it practically impossible to control the machine. The upper surface of one wing and half the other wing was stripped, the fabric of one flap was jammed down, and the wireless failed. The homeward journey involved a flight of 342 miles over the sea. Splendid Team Work Mainly owing to the skill and courage and splendid team work of Gray and Long, the crew of the aeroplane were safely brought back. Distinguished flying medals have been awarded to three air gunners for heroism and outstanding discipline, says a British official wireless message. J In describing . the flight, which was carried out on November 27, the airmen told how they saw a blinding yellow flash and heard a big bang when flying at a height of 2000 ft., and thought they were being attacked by fighter aircraft. Drop Through Space The machine went round and round in uncontrollable circles, dropping at an alarming rate. A fall into the sea seemed inevitable and the crew prepared their collapsible rubber dinghy when they saw that only the framework remained of the top port wing and half the fabric on the starboard wing had gone. Tho pilot's right arm was temporarily paralysed after lie had landed the machine safely at his home base, owing te the effort of controlling the machine. Pilot's Modesty • "The instinct of self-preservation pulled us through," he said. "Anyhow, I would have been a nitwit to let her fall into the sea after pulling her out of that drop through space." Pilot-Officer Gray was, until he left two years ago to join the lioyal Air Force, a teacher at St. ■ George's School, Wanganui. He was prominent on the sporting fields and is a former pupil of the Napier Boys' High School. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Gray, of Gisborne, and formerly of Napier. He was joined in England by his brother, Pilot-Officer Colin Gray, last year. In the report received in New Zealand from England shortly after the incident it was stated that the pilot of the machine was formerly a school teacher at Gisborne, and difficulty was experienced in tracing his identity.

AUSTRALIAN FLIERS IDENTITY WHEN ABROAD PRESERVATION PROMISED MELBOURNE, Jan. K An assurance has been given by the Air Minister, Mr. J. V. Fairbairn, who returned from London yesterday, that the identity of Australians serving overseas under the Empire air scheme would be preserved by the creation of a special pool in England, from which men would be drafted into Australian squadrons under Australian officers. Mr. Fairbairn said it would not be possible to enlist more than 3000 airmen and send them abroad this year. In 1941 and thereafter, however, recruits would bo handled at a great rate. Tho first batch of air crews would leave for Britain well before the end of this year. Before leaving, the crews would be fully trained in all types of machines. EULOGY OF BRITAIN GREAT WAR EFFORT FRENCH PRESS TRIBUTE (Received January 3, 5.5 p-m. 1 ) British Wireless LONDON, Jan. 2 The Paris newspaper Lo Temps, in a eulogy of Britain's efforts since the war began, writes: "Traditionally a great naval Power England has, in a very short time, become a great military Power under the pressure of the necessity for conducting a vigorous war. "This magnificent effort is worthy of the great nation. It proves the will of the Government and the people of tho United Kingdom to see the war through to victory, and until the aims which England and Franco have fixed for their joint venturo —the defence of the liberty of Europe and tho welfare of civilisation—have been achieved."