THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT
POND Herbert Alexander
NZ416161, Flying Officer, Royal New Zealand Air Force, WW2
CITATIONDistingished Flying MedalGazetted 16 May 1944, p2293Awarded in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.EXRACT - "Flight Sergeant Pond has taken part in attacks on some of the enemy's major targets. In August 1943, he was captain of an aircraftdetailed to attack Nuremberg, after bombing the target the port inner engine was hit by fire from a hostile fighter, the inter-communications systemwas rendered useless and the aircraft severely damaged."On the night of 27/28 August 1943, during the above raid on Nuremberg (his 13th sortie), Flying Officer Pond's Lancaster aircraft was badlydamaged by German night fighters. To avoid them he flew into cloud but struck high ground. The aircraft bounced off a hilltop finishing up in aBelgian cornfield. With the assistance of an excape and evasion organisation he was back in the UK on 16 September 1943. Following his return,Flying Officer Pond joined 45 Group, RAF at Dorval, Montreal and made 23 trans-Atlantic delivery flights.AWARDSDistingished Flying Medal1939-45 StarBomber CommandAir Crew Europe StarDefence MedalWar Service MedalNew Zealand War MedalLegion of Honour, Knight (France)NOTES
Born 25 April 1922 Matamata, New Zealand
Died 14 April 2017 Auckland, New Zealand
Buried
OBITUARY
POND, Herbert Alexander (Bert), DFM, LdeH, NZ416161 RNZAF WWII. On 14 April 2017 peacefully, aged 94 years. Dearly loved husband of Ann. Much loved father and father-in-law of Claudia and Peter, Janis and Barry, Teresa and Kerry, Kathie and Peter, Alan and Ann. Loved grandfather of Brigid and Lydia; Troy; Jennifer, Emily, Rebecca, Ben, Elizabeth and Catherine; Max, Meg and Ben; Tara and Bella. A life made beautiful by kindly deeds, respected by all he knew. A service will be held at the Hinuera Hall, Hinuera Village, Waikato on Monday 24 April at 11.30am. All communications to the Pond family, C/- P.O. Box 56013, Dominion Road, Auckland 1446
