MORE AIR AWARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24826, 24 February 1944, Page 4

MORE AIR AWARDS

THE FLYING CBOSS FIVE PILOTS DECORATED (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday In recognition of courageous leadership, determination and gallantry often in the face of heavy odds, His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, has announced the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to five officers of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, who have won fame in combat with the Japanese in the Pacific. 'lhe recipients are: Squadron-Leader John Anderson Oldfield —AY rs. B. Oldfield. Wellington (wife). Squadron-Leader John Henry Arkwright—Mr. H. F. Arkwright, Marton (father).

Flight-Lieutenant Robert Hamish Balfour—-Mrs.' J. S. Balfour, Timaru (wife). Firing-Officer Leonard Adolphus Ravne r—M r . L. 0. Rayner, Wanganui (father). Flying - Officer Aitken Maxwell Davi's—Mr. H. S. Davis, Wellington (father). OPERATIONS IN FRANCE ONEHUNGA PILOT DECORATED Recently mentioned in despatches, Flight-Lieutenant Ira Sutherland, youngest son of Mr. and the late Mrs. Ira Sutherland, of Onehunga, has now been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Flight-Lieutenant Sutherland received his training in New Zealand and left for England in March. 1911. He saw a period of service with the Bomber Command in Britain, and since then has been stationed in India. Educated at the Auckland Grammar School, Flight-Lieutenant Sutherland played football for Manukau, and before he left for overseas was vice-commodore of the Manukau Yacht Club.

The citation for his D.F.C. states that Flight-Lieutenant Sutherland has always shown the utmost determination and initiative in pressing home his attacks. His sorties from Britain included low-level attacks over Northern France. He also completed intruder operations against enemy airfields. During the last six months, FlightLieutenant Sutherland attacked targets in Burma, showing great tenacity and >kill in the face of severe enemy opposition, frequently in adverse weather conditions.