AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25735, 5 January 1945, Page 2

AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY

DECORATION FOR AIRMAN NOTABLE FEAT OF BOMBING (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Jan. 4. The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, has announced that the King has been pleased to approve the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flight Lieutenant Norman Rhys Thomas, R.N.Z.A.F., in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy in the South Pacific area. Flight Lieutenant Thomas’s mother is Mrs C. D. Thomas, of Motueka.

.The citation says: "The captain of one of three aircraft detailed to bomb a Japanese supply area in the Bismarck area at dawn on September 19, 1944, Flight Lieutenant Thomas reached the target after flying through darkness, heavy rain, and thunderstorms. He immediately attacked with courage and determination. Two bombs hung up on his first run. and he therefore strafed his way .around the target area, and made a further run in the face of heavy enemy fire to release the remaining bombs. As he dropped in the target area his starboard engine cut out, the main fuel lind having been shot away by anti-aircraft fire. “Flight Lieutenant Thomas was faced with an exceptional difficulty. Plxtremely bad weather on the direct course to his base made it undesirable to attempt the return on one motor, and the loss of power prevented his crossing the high lands of New Ireland. Accordingly, he set a course for the emergency strip at Talasea, New Britain. It was doubtful in the extreme if the aircraft would remain in the air, and it was only by the pilot’s determination and skill in making use of up-currents below cumulus clouds that he kept sufficient altitude throughout a hazardous flight of two hours’ duration. " His landing,” the citation adds, “was an outstanding achievement particularly with only one engine, and throughout he displayed the utmost coolness and courage. Flight Lieutenant Thomas has completed over 260 hours of operational flying in the past year.”