MANY THRILLS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 170, 21 July 1942, Page 5

MANY THRILLS

BOMBER AIRMAN

Wellington Sergeant Has Been

In 57 Raids

United Press Association.—Copvright. Rec. 2 p.m. LONDON. July 20.

To wait two days with the wireless operator in a crashed Wellington bomber. 12 miles south from Tobruk, while the remainder of the crew walked to El Adem for help was among the experiences of Sergeant Attol James, D.F.M., of Wadestown, one of the few New Zealand air-gunners to complete two tours of operations carrying out 57 raids.

Sergeant James said: "We were going to Tripoli when the engines packed up. W T e made a crash landing safely. The wireless operator and I were left to guard the aircraft. It was a lonely spell, including a severe sandstorm which lasted for six hours. We lay in our bunks trying to sleep while the wind and sand howled round eerily. We read and slept most of the time until the members of the crew returned, after which we abandoned the aircraft after removing all valuables."

Sergeant James has the distinction of being one of the original members of No. 75 New Zealand Bomber Squadron, which he joined when it was a flight commanded by Group-Captain M. W. Buckley. Sergeant James carried out 32 raids with No. 75 Squadron, 21 of which were with Squadron-Leader J. F. Lucas. D.F.C. and bar, of Clutha, who is now in New Zealand. He also carried out 28 raids in the Middle East, several from Malta.

His experiences include flving through Hamburg balloon barrage, bombing Palermo twice in one night from Malta, and being hit bv flak over Berlin. "We were two months at Malta at the end of last year when the Germans frequently interrupted our take-offs, their bombing causing us to run several times for shelter," he said. "I have the greatest admiration for the ground staff at Malta. They are doing an excellent job."