BOMBER SAVED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25431, 12 January 1944, Page 2

BOMBER SAVED

AIRMAN’S BRAVE ACT AWARDED BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 11. When his heavily-laden bomber crashed and caught fire while taking off, Flight Sergeant Reginald Morris Fitzallen Simpson, R.N.Z.A.F., of Christchurch, in spite of great personal danger from fire and explosion, abandoned the blazing machine and moved to safety a nearby stationary bomber, which was endangered by burning petrol and bombs. His feat has been recognised by the award of the British Empire Medal, official notification of which has been received by the Air Department from London. The citation says that. Flight Sergeant Simpson was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack a target in Italy. A tyre burst and caused it to crash and catch fire. The aircraft was carrying a large quantity of petrol and high explosives. Flight Sergeant Simpson, realising that the second bomber would probably be destroyed when the explosion occurred, and with knowledge of the extreme danger and personal risk involved, decided to taxi the second machine to a safe distance. He was in the act of priming its engines when the crashed bomber exploded, scattering bomb splinters and fragments in all directions. With cool determination, however, he continued his efforts and taxied the second bomber away undamaged. In the most trying circumstances Flight Sergeant Simpson displayed courage and resolution worthy of the highest praise. Trained as a pilot, Flight Sergeant Simpson embarked for overseas service at the beginning of last year. His wife, Mrs N. F. Simpson, and mother, Mrs E. Simpson, live in Christchurch.