MOTUEKA PILOT'S SKILL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 5 January 1945, Page 4

MOTUEKA PILOT'S SKILL

D.F.C. FOR F/LT. F. N. R. THOMAS Wellington. This Day. His Excellency the Governor-General has announced that the King has been pleased to approve the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flight Lieutenant Frederick Norman Rhys Thomas. Royfcl New Zealand Air Force, in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy'in the South Pacific area. .-The.citation accompanying the award tells a story of courage, skill, and determination in the face of danger which enabled Flight Lieutenant Thomas, cap tain of the aircraft, to nurse a severely damaged bomber for two hours and to make a brilliant landing without further damage on an emergency strip only 1800 feet long. “Captain of one of three aircraft detailed to bomb a Japanese supply area in the Bismarck area at dawn on 9th September. 1944.” it states. “Flight Lieutenant Thomas reached his target after flying through darkness, heavy rain and thunderstorms. He immediately attacked with courage and determination. Two bombs hung up on his first run. and he therefore strafed his way round the target area and made a further run in Ihe face of heavy enemy fire to release his remaining bombs. As they dropped in the target area, his starboard engine cut out. the main fuel line having been shot away by anti-aircraft fire. “Flight Lieutenant Thomas was faced with exceptional difficulty. Extremely bad weather on the direct course to base made it undesirable to attempt the return on one motor, and loss of power prevented a crossing of the highlands of New Ireland. Accordingly he set a course for an emergency strip at Talasea. New Britain. It was doubtful in the extreme if the aircraft would remain in the air, and it was only by the pilot’s determination and skill in making use of up-currents below cumulous clouds that he kept sufficient altitude throughout a most hazardous flight of two hours’ duration. His landing was an outstanding achievement, particularly with only one engine, and throughout he displayed the utmost coolness and courage. Flight Lieutenant Thomas has completed over 260 hours operational flying in the past year.” Flight Lieutenant Thomks was born at Motueka. in September. 1918, and educated at the Riwaka School. Motueka High School and Nelson College. He was a keen athlete, and when he later engaged in farming at Riwaka. he became interested in flying and qualified for his A license with the Marlborough Aero Club. He was accepted for a short set-vice commission in the R.A.F. in June. 1939, but early in 1940 he entered the R.N.Z.A.F. and was commissioned in October of that year. In addition to extensive instructional duties in New Zea land, he recently completed his second tour of operations in the Pacific. His mether is Mrs C. D. Thomas, Motueka.