COURAGE AND SKILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24808, 7 January 1942, Page 6

COURAGE AND SKILL

FLIGHT LIEUTENANT DECORATED AWARDED THE D.S.O. RUGBY. Jan. 5. In the latest list of Royal Air Force awards Acting Flight Lieutenant Ercolani has been awarded the D.S.O. for the great courage and skill he displayed when his bomber was set on fire on the return journey from the very heavy raid on Berlin in November, when 37 Royal Air Force planes failed to return. On the return journey, says the official recount, whilst passing over Munster his aircraft was hit in the foo.Mb recks by enemy shellfire. The fleer was torn up, and flames burst through the aperture. The fire spread over the whole floor, filling the aircraft w ; th smali sparks. The fire eventually subsided, but was never completely extinguished, leaving part of the aircraft aimost burned away and both wings holed and the fabric torn, whilst the damage caused the aircraft to lose both height and speed. In spitt. of these appalling conditions. Acting Flight Lieutenant Ercolani attempted to fly the aircraft back to this country, . but shortly after arriving over 'he enemy coast at 1000 feet the engine failed through lack of fuel, and the aircraft cams down in the sea. Acting Flight Lieutenant Ercolani received injuries when the plane hit the water and he went down with it. but >t came to the surface again and he was able to get in the dinghy with the remainder of the crew. Acting Flight Lieutenant Ercolani took charge and displayed great leadership and inspired his comrades until the din shy finally went ashore on the Isle of Wight some 57 hours later.