Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 11, 2024 23:35:11 GMT 12
BRAVE DEED
AWARD TO AIRMAN
SAVED PLANE FROM FIRE
(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday
When his heavily laden bomber crashed and caught fire while taking off, Flight-Sergeant Reginald Morris Fitzallen Simpson, R.N.Z.A.F., of Christchurch, in spite of great personal danger from fire and explosion, abandoned the blazing machine and moved to safety a near by stationary bomber which was endangered by burning petrol and bombs. His feat has been recognised by the award of the British Empire Medal, the official notification of which has been received by the Air Department from London.
The citation says that Flight-Sergeant Simpson was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack a target in Italy. A tyre burst and caused it to crash and catch fire. The aircraft was carrying a large quantity of petrol and high explosives. Flight-Sergeant Simpson, realising that a second bomber would probably be destroyed when the explosion occurred, and with knowledge of the extreme danger and personal risk involved, decided to taxi the second machine to a safe distance. He was in the act of priming the engines when the crashed bomber exploded, scattering bomb splinters and fragments in all directions.
With cool determination, however, he continued his efforts and taxied the second bomber away undamaged. Under most trying circumstances be displayed courage and resolution worthy of the highest praise, concludes the citation.
Trained as a pilot, he embarked for overseas service at the beginning of last year. His wife is Mrs. N. F. Simpson, and his mother Mrs. E. Simpson, both of Christchurch.
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 12 JANUARY 1944
AWARD TO AIRMAN
SAVED PLANE FROM FIRE
(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday
When his heavily laden bomber crashed and caught fire while taking off, Flight-Sergeant Reginald Morris Fitzallen Simpson, R.N.Z.A.F., of Christchurch, in spite of great personal danger from fire and explosion, abandoned the blazing machine and moved to safety a near by stationary bomber which was endangered by burning petrol and bombs. His feat has been recognised by the award of the British Empire Medal, the official notification of which has been received by the Air Department from London.
The citation says that Flight-Sergeant Simpson was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack a target in Italy. A tyre burst and caused it to crash and catch fire. The aircraft was carrying a large quantity of petrol and high explosives. Flight-Sergeant Simpson, realising that a second bomber would probably be destroyed when the explosion occurred, and with knowledge of the extreme danger and personal risk involved, decided to taxi the second machine to a safe distance. He was in the act of priming the engines when the crashed bomber exploded, scattering bomb splinters and fragments in all directions.
With cool determination, however, he continued his efforts and taxied the second bomber away undamaged. Under most trying circumstances be displayed courage and resolution worthy of the highest praise, concludes the citation.
Trained as a pilot, he embarked for overseas service at the beginning of last year. His wife is Mrs. N. F. Simpson, and his mother Mrs. E. Simpson, both of Christchurch.
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 12 JANUARY 1944
