NEW SQUADRON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 167, 17 July 1942, Page 5

NEW SQUADRON

R.N.Z.A.F. FIGHTERS

Pilots From Singapore Reform

In Britain

Special Correspondent.

Rec. 1.30 p.m,

LONDON, July 16

A squadron of the R.N.Z.A.F. which fought in Singapore is now reforming in England. It will fly Beaufighters and will be a night fighter squadron. Squadron-Leader R. M. Trousdale, D.F.C. and bar, of Auckland, will be the commanding officer. He is an exceptionally skilful and keen fighter pilot. He has destroyed eight enemy planes, five of which were at night. He has recently been attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force night fighter squadron, in which he commanded a flight.

He had the distinction of making the iirst attack of the squadron when he damaged a Dornier 217 last November but had to break off the combat when he ran out of ammunition. He shot down two Huns in one flight in August, 1941. He was awarded the D.F.C. in February, 1941, and the bar in May, 1942.

The Beaufighter is a mid-winged twin-engined aircraft with four cannons and six machine-guns. Beaufighters are flying with the Coastal Command and also over Libya, in addition to being night fighters. Their, nominal top speed is 330 miles per hour at 14,000 feet, with a range of 1500 miles.

There will now be four R.N.Z.A.F. squadrons in Britain—Spitfire. Hurricane, Hampden and Beaufighter. In addition there is the No. 75 Wellington Bomber Squadron.