His Distinguished Flying Cross citation states:

“Warrant Officer Hansen has taken part in many operational flights and has consistently displayed exceptional skill in gunnery and tactics. One night in June,1944 his aircraft was attacked by enemy aircraft but W/Off Hansen’s accurate fire caused the enemy to break up the engagement and crash. In the face of enemy opposition, his calm courage has been highly commendable”.

Hansen was the sole survivor of the crash of Lancaster NE165 (83sq. RAF) 21 February 1945, piloted by G/C Caron Evans-Evans. Mission : Gravenhorst. Took off from RAF Coningsby at 17:07 hrs to mark the Mittelland Kanal near Gravenhorst. Homeward-bound, intercepted by Hauptmann Heinz Rökker of the 2./NJG 2, who had been scrambled from Twente in Ju 88 G-6 4R+CK at 20:18 hrs; crashed in a liberated part of Holland at Gertruda Farm owned by the Ypna family, at Rips (Noord Brabant), 12 km NE of Helmond. Those who died lie in the Mierlo War Cemetery. Gp Capt Evans-Evans was the Station commander at RAF Coningsby and at 43 was one of the oldest senior officers killed on bomber operations during the entire war. In a way of contrast, his highly decorated navigator, Sqdn Ldr Wishart, was 22 and thus ranks amongst the youngest squadron leaders killed in action. Fg Off Ball had gained his DFM, Gazetted 12 November 1943, while flying with 207 Squadron