AUSTRALIAN AIRMEN DECORATED
(8.0.W.) RUGBY, January 27. An Australian pilot, who with gloved hands subdued flames threatening to engulf his aircraft, and, although suffering acutely from the effects of fumes, flew his bomber safely home after a raid on Wilhelmshaven this month, receives the D.F.M. in the latest list of Royal Air Force awards. He is Sergeant D. W. Spooner, second pilot to Sergeant C. L. Bray, R.A.A.F., captain of the bomber, who also receives the D.F.M.
Sergeant Bray carried out a determined attack in spite of intense antiaircraft fire, but an ignited flare was blown from the rear of the bomb compartment into the fuselage, where it set fire to the fabric. The aircraft was now brightly illuminated and an easy target, and, whilst held in the concentration of 30 enemy searchlights, was subjected to intense enemy fire. The situation appeared hopeless, but Sergeants Spooner and Bray succeeded between them in extinguishing the flames and returning to their base.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19420128.2.44
Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 24654, 28 January 1942, Page 5
Word Count
160AUSTRALIAN AIRMEN DECORATED Southland Times, Issue 24654, 28 January 1942, Page 5
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Southland Times. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in