NEW ZEALAND PILOTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22185, 31 January 1942, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND PILOTS

Five Awards Announced (Rec. 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, Jan 30. The D.F.C. has been awarded to Pilot Officers John Jacob Allen (Dunedin), Harold Roger Blake (Christchurch), and James Fraser Craig (Petone). The citations state:— Pilot Officer Alien’s resource and skill enabled him to complete a large number of operations, Including three raids on Mannheim, two on Dusseldorf and one on Turin. He sets his mind to his task fearlessly and with a fine offensive spirit. Pilot Officer Blake is a keen, determined officer. He does not know fear. On one occasion over the Ruhr the ailerons of his plane were damaged by anti-aircraft fire. Blake regained control with great skill after losing considerable height and brought back the plane. Pilot Officer Craig is a particularly bold, keen bomber and never hesitates to attack from a low altitude when it is difficult to identify the target. He attacked a 10,000 ton vessel from 50 feet off the Frisian Islands. The ship was set on fire and later sank. The D.F.M. has been awarded to Sergeants Ralph Norman Allen and Maxwell Gyles Turner, of Lower Hutt. The citations state:— Sergeant Allen captained planes raiding Cologne, Hamm, Munster, Bremen, Kiel, Hamburg and Brest with the utmost determination and efficiency. He consistently carried out operations with the greatest courage. Sergeant Turner participated as navigator in raids against Cologne, Hamburg, Bremen, Emden, Essen and Berlin. He proved himself a first-class navigator and displayed courage and coolness of a high order. Throughout his career his cheerful confidence has set a magnificent example.