AIRMEN AWARDED THE D.S.O.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 828, 5 October 1916, Page 11

AIRMEN AWARDED THE D.S.O.

SUBLIEUTENANT BRANDON REWARDED. (Received October 5, 1.35 p.m.) LONDON, October 4. Pilots Frederick Sowery and Alfred Brandon have been awarded the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry in attacking Zeppelins. On September 23, after a spirited chase and a din«-don<' battle, Sowery and Brandon maiueuvred for position. Sowery had the belter hick. His shots struck the Zeppelin which fell in a blaze.

Brandon stood by in case of emergency, and later attacked the raider, which surrendered.

Early in Inst April Sub-Lieut. Brandon came into prominence for a daring aeroplane attack which lie made on a raiding Zeppelin. lie left the aerodrome under orders to patrol in the direction whence the enemy aircraft, were expected, tie sighted his quarry, and gave chase, driving his machine "all out." He lost eight of the airship, but finally sighted it again at his own level of 6000 ft .; Re rose another 400 ft, rounded the Zeppelin's hows sharply turned above it, and liberated three bombs in one sweep, lie heard' three distinct detonations from the rear of the airship. The latter fired round after round from its machine guns. Brandon felt the bullets hittin<r Ins machine, but was determined to get another shot. He saw sparks coming from the Zeppelin's stern. He Hew lowards its bow, and dropped moro explosive bombs, despite a heavy machine-gun fire. The Zeppelin was then test in the darkness.