BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 21, 20 September 1940, Page 8

BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Awards To New Zealanders RECORD FLIGHT TO NARVIK * • Advice of the award of the Distiu guished Flying Cross to two more New eZalanders — Acting Squadron Leader Aubrey Arthur Ninnis Breekon ami Acting Flight Lieutenant Francis Ed win Eustacewas received yesterday by Air Headquarters, Wellington. The following information . was issued by the Director of Publicity:— Acting Squadron Leader Breckon conies from Northcote, Auckland, and is 2G years of age. According to the official citation, •‘he has participated in 21 major bombing attacks on Germany. Holland, Belgium and France He made a reconnaissance Hight north of Narvik of a duration of 14 i hours, undeterred by enemy action and bad weather. He is a reliable and persistent long-distance pilot, and a cool, courageous and very . determined leader.” The Hight to Narvik is generally acknowledged as the record long distance flight of the first 12 monthof -the war, involving a distance of 2000 miles from Scotland and back th rough icy weather and severe storms Tilth Hight was made by an aircraft of the New Zealand Squadron, and two other New Zealanders were included in the crew, the navigator coming' from Stratford and tlx? wireless open tor from Auckland. Acting Squadron Leader Breckon was previously employed as a newspaper . photographer -in Auckland before he was granted a - short service commission with the Royal Air Force He was a member of the Auckland Aero Club,' gaining his A licence in November, 1933. He passed for his B licence in 1935, and was accepted into the Royal Air Force toward the end of that year. Shortly before war was declared, Acting Squadron Leader Breekon was posted to the New Zealand Squadron in England, transferring to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. When war broke out, the squadron was placed at the disposal of the Royal Air Force. Acting Squadron Leader Breckon has played a conspicuous part in the activities of that squadron since. Acting Flight Lieutenant Eustace the second recipient of the award, was born in Nelson and is 24 years old. Hwas educated at the Taumarunui District High School and Nelson College, where he matriculated in 1933. He was accepted .for a short service com mission with the Royal Air Force in 1937.