BRAVERY AWARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25203, 16 May 1945, Page 6

BRAVERY AWARDS

NEW ZEALAND AIRMAN FLYING CROSS AND A BAR (J?,A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The pilot of the first aircraft of. a New Zealand heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force to complete 100 operations, Squadron-leader .T. M. Bailey. D.F.C., has been awarded a bar to his cross. Squadron-Leader Bailey, who was formerly a farmer at Oliingaiti, is now flight-commander of the 75th (New Zealand) Heavy Bomber Squadron. He enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1941 and was trained in New Zealand and England. He was awarded the D.F.C. in June, 1943. He piloted his Lancaster on its 100 th war flight to Krefeld on January 28. The plane now has the impressive record of 101 operations, and 476 hours of flying time. * Attack on Oil Refinery In February, while flying in another aircraft, Squadron-Leader Bailey led a squadron in an attack on an oil refinery at Osterfeld. His aircraft, was hit by flak and extensively - damaged, but the attack was successful and the plane flew safely back from Germany on three engines. Squadron-Leader Bailey, who is 31, was born in Northern Ireland. He came to New Zealand seven years ago. A former member of the New Plymouth Aero Club, Flight-Lieutenant M. A. Kilpatrick, of Inglewood, who joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force and became the pilot of a Lancaster, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry in air operations. Damaged Machine Flown Home Flight-Lieutenant Kilpatrick entered the Air Force in March, 1942 ; He was posted to the 75th (New Zealand) Heavy Bomber Squadron last year and on his first sortie his aircraft was extensively damaged by flak. A few nights later he beat off an attack by an enemy fighter. Two months ago he took part in the attack on the oil refinery at Osterfeld and was caught in a fierce barrage. His aircraft was hit in several places, but be made a good attack, and, with only two engines working, flew back from Germany and made a safe landing. He has had ,35 operations as captain of a crew in which the only other New Zealander is the navigator, FlyingOfficer R. S. Tait, of Hamilton. TWO MORI DROSSES AIRMEN FROM ROTORUA (0.C.) ROTORUA, Tuesday The award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flight-Lieutenant O. D. Staple, younger son of Mr H. G. Staple, of Haupapa Street. Rotorua, has been announced. Flight-Lieutenant Staple, who is 22, was born in Rotorua and attended the Rotorua High School. He was commissioned in Canada and attained his present rank last January. For the greater part of his operational service he has been flying Mosquitoes. Acting-Flight-Lieutenant J. H. Stafford, who has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Is 22 and is the elder son of Mr and Mrs H, N. Stafford, of Haupapa Street, Rotorua. Flight-Lieutenant Stafford was born in Auckland and received his education at the Rotorua High School and King's College. On completion of his training as a pilot in New Zealand, he left for the United Kingdom in January, 1943. He was with the New Zealand Fighter Squadron and latterly has been attached to a squadron based in Holland.

NAVAL DECORATIONS BAR TO THE D.S.C. ATTACKS ON ENEMY U-BOATS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Advice has been received that the King has approved the award of a bar to the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant-Commander L. P; Botirke, D.S.C., R.D.. R.N.Z.N.R., of Takapuna, and the Distinguished Service Cross to Temporary-Sub-Lieutenant W. K. Webster, R.N.Z.N.V.R., for services in successful attacks on enemy U-boats.

Lieutenant-Commander Bourke joined the New Zealand Division of the Royal Reserve as a sub-lieutenant in 1932 and prior to the outbreak of the war was an officer in the mercantile marine. | He was mobilised on September 4, 1939. In 1944 he was awarded the D.S.C. for services in attacking a U-boat. He was engaged on special convov work in the Atlantic. His wife, Mrs ft. H. Bourke, resides in Auckland. Sub-Lieutenant Webster was born in New Plymouth and prior to entering the Royal New Zealand Navy was a law student. His mother is Mrs M. C. Webster, of New Plymouth. FISHING SEASON ENDED CONDITIONS AT TAUPO (O.C.L TAUPO, Tuesday The Taupo fishing season, which ended at 11 o clock last night, was on the whole a good one. While the number, size and condition of the fish showed improvement, results after the first _ three months of the season were at times disappointing compared with those achieved in past, vears. Smelt has again been very plentiful and appears to be the favourite food of the trout. This factor has made fishing difficult and even imitation smelt flies were only moderately successful. In the latter part of the season, when many experienced anglers were present, every known method to lure the fish was tried with generally poor results. Adverse weather prevailed during most of that period. Earlier, visitors to the .western bays had most successful results and fish up to 81b were quite common. The Waitahanui R-iver was more popular this year than ever, and, although the mouth is now verv small and cannot accommodate more tlban six rods in comfort, upstream fishing has produced some very fine specimens, including one of 14Jlb, and the record fish of the season, weighing 1811b. This alone proves that Taupo trout are improving and, without being unduly optimistic, anglers can expect that some good fishing will be obtainable next season. The number of anglers present for the end of the season showed an increase over that of last year. GOOD OATOH OF TROUT ONE WEIGHING 10LB. (0.C.) ROTORtJA, Tuesday At the conclusion of the fishing season Major C. S. Gordon, of Rotorua, caught four trout in Lake Tarawera. They weighed respectively 161b, 141b, 111b and 71b, .