AIR AWARDS

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22459, 21 September 1944, Page 4

AIR AWARDS

SERVICE IN PACIFIC (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, announced that the King has approved four immediate awards to personnel of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy in the South Pacific area. The recipients are:— Distinguished Service Order.—Fly-ing-Officer Charles Graham Parker, of Wellington. Distinguished Flying Cross.— Flight-Lieutenant Bruce St. John Campbell Thomson, of Auckland. Flying-Officer Clive Samuel Whitehouse Yockney, of Auckland. Military Medal.—Flight-Sergeant (now Pilot-Officer) Murray Scofield Aitchison, of Dunedin.

The awards to Flight-Lieutenant Thomson and Flying-Officer Yockney are for bringing a damaged bomber back to base. Flight-Lieutenant Thomson is a former pupil of Southwell School and the Hamilton High School and was employed as a stock clerk in Auckland. He entered the R.N.Z.A.F. in July, 1940, as an aircraftman. He was commissioned in May, 1941, and was promoted from flying-officer to flight-lieutenant in January this year. Plane Directly Hit The citation states: “Flight-Lieutenant Thomson was captain anri Flying-Officer Yockney was navigator of a bomber on patrol over enemy-held territory in the South-western Pacific when the aircraft suffered a direct bit by a large-calibre anti-aircraft shell. Realising 1 that serious damage had resulted, the captain ordered the crew toVpreparc Tor a landing- in the sea. The navigator Inspected the damage as best he could and reported that he considered the aircraft might reach the base. After giving (he pilot a course, he took up his station in the astro-hatch, where he could watch the damaged control surfaces and advise the captain or the best speed at which to fly to avoid further damage.

“The bomber was barely airworthy ’and height was gradually lost, as power could be used only sparingly because of the violent vibration. The captain and the navigator, working as a team, nevertheless brought the aircraft back to the base. The navigator’s excellent judgment, coupled with t lie skill or the captain in using his motors to compensate ror lost rudder control, resulted in a successful strip landing being made in most difficult circumstances wit lion t further damage to the aircraft or injury to the crew. Both officers displayed courage, resource and skill, and by their extreme devotion to duty set an excellent example.”