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Joyce, Ernest Leslie "Nipper"

Date of birth:
February 17th, 1920 (Hamilton/Waikato, New Zealand)
Date of death:
June 17th, 1944
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Grave Marville-les-Bois
Service number:
N.Z.40770
Nationality:
New Zealander

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Sergeant
Unit:
No. 73 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
August 18th, 1942
"During a long and continuous period of service, this airman has performed splendid work. In low level machine gun attacks on enemy ground targets he has displayed great determination and achieved much success. On one occasion, at night, he participated in an attack on the aerodrome at Martuba. Despite heavy defensive fire, he machinegunned dispersed aircraft on the ground from only 50 feet. In this vigorous attack he assisted in the probable destruction of several enemy aircraft. On another occasion at night, he observed a Junkers 88 flying at some 400 feet above him. Skilfully manoeuvring his aircraft he closed in on the rear of the enemy aircraft whose pilot began to take violent evasive action. Flight Sergeant Joyce, however countered every move and, eventually closing in, shot down the enemy aircraft from close range. He has destroyed at least 5 enemy aircraft, 2 of them at night. Throughout, his operational career, this airman has displayed great gallantry, tenacity and devotion to duty."
Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Sources

Photo