AWARDS WON BY AIRMAN

Southland Times, Issue 24547, 23 September 1941, Page 6

AWARDS WON BY AIRMAN

NEW ZEALAND BOMBER PILOTS FEARLESS ATTACKS ON TARGETS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, September 22. Official advice has been received by Air Headquarters, Wellington, that the following awards have been made to New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER Flying Officer Thomas Francis Gill, R.A.F.; father, Mr T. P. Gill, Wellington. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS Pilot Officer Graham Wellesley Hamlin, R.N.Z.A.F.; father, Mr J. A. W. Hamlin, Auckland. Pilot Officer Alan Murray Hobbs, R.N.Z.A.F.; father, Mr A. W. Hobbs, Christchurch. Pilot Officer John William Purcivall, R.N.Z.A.F.; mother, Mrs J. W. Blanche, New Plymouth. Pilot Officer James William Thomson, R.N.Z.A.F.; sister, Mrs S. A. Muirhead, Oamaru.

The citations are as follows: Pilot Officer Hamlin always makes a point of running straight over his target area, whatever the odds. His flights have been undertaken with clocklike precision in all kinds of weather and often he has returned with his aircraft extensively damaged. The fearless, resolute manner in which Pilot Officer Hamlin attacked his targets is worthy of the highest praise. On a night in May Pilot Officer Hobbs succeeded in dropping his bombs close to a target in Hamburg after pressing into the area, despite great difficulty from flak and searchlights. He successfully attacked Mannheim the following night and two nights later Hamburg again was raided. His flights have always been accomplished with a minimum amount of incident and on many occasions he obtained excellent photographs. Pilot Officer Hobbs is a clever, courageous pilot and an exceptionally capable operational captain, whose crew control and navigation are of a particularly high standard. CALM AND EFFICIENT Since joining the squadron Pilot Officer Purcivall has had a record of continuous good work. His experiences when his' aircraft has been hit only served to increase his determination to press home his attacks. On one occasion he encountered severe icing conditions, but by skilful piloting he attacked the target successfully at 1000 feet. Pilot Officer Purcivall’s enthusiasm for flying and his devotion to duty are of the highest order. He discharges his duties both in the air and on the ground in a calm, efficient manner. One night in June after bombing a target at Dusseldorf Pilot Officer Thomson was twice caught in a cone of searchlights and held for some minutes. Flak hit the aircraft in several places and one burst sent it into a fast vertical dive to a low altitude. It regained height, but was again caught by a large number of searchlights. Antiaircraft fire ceased suddenly, the searchlights were extinguished and almost immediately an enemy fighter opened with bursts of bullet and cannon fire from dead astern. His rear gunner replied with a burst, driving the enemy off. Severe damage was done to the British aircraft and fire broke out, but was quickly extinguished. Pilot Officer Thomson encountered and gallantly overcame many similar harassing experiences and his courage, determination and devotion to duty are worthy of high praise.