TORPEDO-BOMBER SQUADRON

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23965, 4 June 1943, Page 5

TORPEDO-BOMBER SQUADRON

NEW ZEALANDERS* RECORD SHIPPING ATTACKED OFF NORWAY (Special Correspondent N.2. fX) LONDON, June |. The New Zealand Hampden Torpedobomber Squadron during the last 10. . months has attacked at least 85,000 tons of enemy shipping off the coast of Norway. It has destroyed about 10,000 tons, which was, seen to sink, probably destroyed 12,000 tons; and damaged 28,500 tong. The results of the remainder of the attacks could not be observed. This is a very fine record, for the squadron flies in some of the worst weather that any squadron operating throughout Britain has to contend with; An icy wind blows almost daily over the aerodrome and expanses of thick mists and low hanging cloud are frequently encountered. *' The squadron also has to fly 400 or 500 miles over the sea towards Norway. These conditions would test the most brilliant navigator, yet rare indeed is the occasion when a Hampden does not strike the Norwegian coast at the intended spot. Often the pilot sits at the controls 'looking out at a wall of cloud and driving rain. But these are not the only hazards. The gunners must be on the look-out every second for patrolling Focke Wulfs and Heinkels, for it is a measure of the Royal Air Force’s success that not only *re German supply ships being accompanied by bigger flak escorts, but also German fighters. Junkers 88’s and Blohm and Voss three- ; engined flying-boats. The convoys also. • hug the coasts, often under a protective umbrella from shore-based bat- ' teries. It is a rare occasion when a swooping Hampden does not encounter a wall of bursting shellfire as it goes in to release its “torp,” It is then that the air crews welcome low-hanging cloud into which they can dodge after their attack so that they are blanketed from the German gunners and hidden from patrolling fighters. This Norwegian rock-bound.coastline is a vital artery in the Nazi supply system. From Narvik come Snips laden with iron ore which is urgently needed for the German war machine, and the ships returning northward* carry supplies for the German occupation troops Jn Norway, and for the Germans in northern Finland on the Russian front. More important still, they carry supplies to German naval units lurking in the narrow, winding ‘ fjords. . Two Years of Age This New Zealand squadron will ba two years old in August. Four Distinguished Flying Crosses have been awarded, one to Flying Officer J. J. Richardson, of Oamaru, for consistent and outstanding work. He is now a prisoner-of-war. Other awards have gone to Englishmen, including FlightLieutenant Tony Mottram, the wellknown lawn tennis champion. Pilot Officer R. C. Dunn, of KaiapoL is now one of the squadron’s “oldest inhabitants” who, with an Australian navigator, form a fine Anzac partnership. Pilot Officer Dunn’s brilliant leadership of a section in one attack earned praise from the naval com-mander-in-chief, and also the Com-mander-in-Chief of the Coastal Command. The squadron is now commanded by Wing Commander V. E. Darling, an Englishman. Recent visitors to the squadron were the New Zealand Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) and Air Commodore A. de T. Nevill, who were greatly interested in the squadron’s record. Mr Jones said: “These boys are doing a great job of work. I am very glad to be able to meet them, and the boys of the New Zealand Catalina flyingboat squadron who are impatiently waiting to start operations.” Among the New Zealand personnel of the Hampden Squadron are Flying Officers T. H. Davidson (Auckland) and F. K. Moynihan (Nelson), Flight Sergeants J. F. Roach (Auckland). P. Scot (Auckland), P. E. Booth (Wellington), G. A. Ward (Wellington), J. P. Boyle (Waikato). J. A. Browne (NaSier), A. E. Collett (Waipawa), P. . Greham (Lower Hutt), S. W. Hall (Westfield), E. A. Hurley (New Plymouth), L. R. Lander (New Plymouth), N. E. Junge (Otago), A. H. Knewstubb (Dunedin), L. B. Lapwood (Tuakau), S. MacPherson (Rotorua), K. F. Moore (Christchurch), V. E. Nelson (Masterton), F. J. Paul (Reefton). H. A. Sherley (Morrinsville), H. R. F. Smith (Taihape), and D, L. White (Gisborne), Sergeants I. D. Dawson (Invercargill), M. C. Steele (Gore), and W. H. Thompson (Wellington), and also I. C. Riddell and members of the ground staff, Corporals T. A. Allen (Hawke’s Bay), W. Dawson (Hawke’s Bay), J. G. Anderson (Lumsden), and K. M. Brown (Westport).