HEROISM RECOGNIZED

Southland Times, Issue 24682, 2 March 1942, Page 5

HEROISM RECOGNIZED

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, February 28. The heroism of the Swordfish aircraft crews who swept into a hail of fire to attack the German warships during the recent Channel action has been recognized by many awards, including a posthumous Victoria Cross to the late Lieutenant-Commander Eugen Esmonde, R.N.; D.S.O.’s have been awarded to four officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve for gallantry in the same action. The officers are: Temporary Acting Sub-Lieutenants B. W. Rose, E. F. Lee, C. M. Kingsmill and Sub-Lieuten-ant R. M. Samples. The list also includes one C.G.M. and the names of 12 men “mentioned in despatches” (all posthumous). Of nine of these the citation says: “The last that was seen of this gallant band who were astern of the leading flight is that they were flying steadily towards the battle-cruisers. Their aircraft shattered, undeterred by the inferno of fire, they carried out their orders, which were to attack the target. Not one came back. Theirs was a courage which is beyond praise.”