BRAVE AIRMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25177, 14 April 1945, Page 6

BRAVE AIRMEN

CITATIONS TO AWARDS DISTINGUISHED RECORDS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Friday Still another feat of determination and rare skill on air operations is quoted by the fcitation to the latest award won by acting-Squadron-Leader A. W. G. Cochrane, D.5.0., D.F.C. and two bars, of Rawene. The second bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross was an immediate award, as were those or the D.S.O. and the first bar to the D.F:C. . . , The citation, which has been, received from London, pays tribute to the qualities which hare won such distinction for Squadron-Leader Cochrane. He is the third New Zealand airman to have won a second bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross. It says: "Squadron-Leader Cochrane is a courageous captain and pilot. In December, 1944, he participated in an attack on an airfield at Dusseldorf. In spite of intense and accurate fire from the ground defences, he pressed home tlie attack. His aircraft was hit, but he flew it back to base."

This is the third award won by Squadron-Leader Cochrane since November, 1944. His active service career has been an extraordinary one and his operational flying record is studded with performances requiring the highest degree of courage and skill. He was among the pioneer pilots of the mammoth bomber raids from Britain and helped to blast many major targets in occupied Europe and Germany. He is the son of Mr and Mrs W. M. Cochrane, of Rawene, and was 24 years old when he left New Zealand as a sergeant-pilot in April, 1941. Regarded by the British Air Ministry as one of the* Coastal Command's most notable U-boat hunters. SquadronLeader M. A. Ensor, D.S.O. and bar, D.F.C. and bar, of Rangiora, earned the award of the bar to the Distinguished Service Order by the continuation of his outstanding efficiency in this type of work.

"Squadron-Leader Elisor has taken part in many operational sorties during his second tour of duty," the citation states. "He has attacked enemy U-boats 0/1 three occasions. One of the submarines was probably seriously damaged and in one engagement SquadronLeader Ensor's aircraft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire. He has displayed outstanding enthusiasm, tact and courage as a flight-commander and officer in charge of squadron training. He has contributed much to the development of new and successful methods of attacking enem" submarines." Now just 23 years of age, SquadronLender Ensor, since he was commissioned less than three years ago, has had one of the most brilliant careers in the brilliant company of New Zealand airmen. His father is Mr H. Ensor. of Paihia, Bay of Islands. LONG AIR SERVICE AUCKLAND FIGHTER PILOT (P.A. Special Correspondent) LONDON, April 12 Very few of "the few" who fought in the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, are now actually flying fighter aircraft on operations the Germans. One exception is SquadronLeader J. A. Gibson, of Auckland. He shot down 12 enemy aircraft in those early days of the war, winning the D.F.C. Later he returned to New Zealand, operated in the Pacific, and is now flying Tempests which, until recently, were based in Holland.

He learned the other day that he had won the D.S.O. for his work in the Pacific. A day or two later lie made a forced landing and his Tempest broke its hark, but ho escaped with a severelyjarred right shoulder. The incident occurred when FieldMarshal Montgomery's group crossed the Rhine. Squadron-Leader Gibson was leading Tempests giving air cover to an airborne operation when the sky was filled with towing aircraft and gliders. There was no enemy air opposition and later the Tempests swooped on an autobahn lined with motor transport. Flak immediately filled* the sky and Squadron-Leader Gibson's aircraft was hit in the engine. Oil covered his cockpit head, making it difficult for him to see where he was going and at 5000 feet his engine stopped abruptly. He got it started again and managed to make a forced landing on the British side of the Rhine. He returned to England for treatment to his shoulder. SHUNTING MISHAP A shunting mishap involving the derailment of two carriages occurred at the Henderson railway station at about •5 p.m. yesterday, and slight delays were caused to six suburban trains before the line was cleared. The main north line was blocked for about. 30 minutes at the north end. A 25-ton break-down crane was sent from Auckland, to get the carriages back on to the line.