BALLOON COMMAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24415, 28 September 1940, Page 12

BALLOON COMMAND

CREWS WARMLY PRAISED AIR MARSHAL’S TRIBUTE iPi'itisli Official Wireiessi RUGBY, Sept. 24,' The gallantry and devotion to duty of the balloon crews were- warmly praised in the followin - _ message from Air-marshal Sir Cyril Newall to Air Vice-marshal Boyd, air officer commanding the Balloon Command: “At the conclusion of a year of war I must convey to you my admiration of the splendid way in which the balloon crews in your command have performed their duties. They have throughout been called upon to work long hours, often in conditions of much discomfort and exposed to all weathers. Until recently members of your command have had few opportunities of service of a spectacular nature. On the other hand, their success cannot be measured by the number of enemy aircraft they bring down, but by the general efficiency with which they play their part in air defence. By keeping the enemy bombers and lighters at a height when they can. be effectively engaged by our fighters or anti-aircraft fire, they have been invaluable members of a team upon the success of whose whole operations the safety of the entire country depends. With the opening up of air warfare over this country on a largo scale during the past month, many balloon crews have carried out duties of a most spectacular and successful nature, often under heavy attack from the enemy.”