DEFENCE OF MALTA

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 290, 5 September 1942, Page 7

DEFENCE OF MALTA

Auckland Pilot’s Exciting Experiences

(By’ Telegraph.—Press Assu. —Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) LONDON, September 2.

Wearing a Maltese Cross under the button of his right breast-pocket, which is an indication that he fought in the Battle of Malta, Pilot Officer J. D. Rae, Auckland, is now on leave in Lon'don after four months at Malta, where he destroyed four and a half enemy planes and was credited with three and a half probables and Ave damaged. Pilot-Officer Rae, who is a former member of the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron, was shot down on his second flight after arriving at Malta and stayed for some time in hospital with an injured leg. He subsequently met the Sudetan German who shot him down.

“We landed at Malta last April after taking off from the aircraftcarrier Wasp,” sai'd Pilot-Officer Rae. “The Americans got our Spitfires away without a hitch. Directing our taking oil’ was Wing-Commander J. S. McLean, D.F.C., Hawera. We flew in squadron formation. It was a marvellous flight, though we were loaded heavily with spares, for instance, tyros and radios. Bombed Incessantly.

“Wo were bombed almost immediately after arrival, after which a strenuous period followed. Tiie ground crews, who were unaccustomed to Spitfires, did an excellent job of work in difficult circumstances, for our aerodromes were being bombed incessantly. “Wo would take off after an alert and would meet a swarm of Messerschmitt 109’s which were preceding the bombers. We would have to evade these fighters in order to save ammunition and petrol for the 'bombers. Then, having exhausted our ammunition against the bombers, would have to evade the lighters as we landed, often having to get out of Hie cockpit and run for slit trenches for cover with cannon shells whistling around. “I was lucky to escape, when I was shot down,” said Pilot Officer Rae. “In a dogfight at 24,000 ft. I swept round for an attack on a Messerschmitt-when a second Messerschmitt waiting for me dived out of tiie sun. A cannon shell blew the control stick away and I went down in a spiral dive, working up to between 400 and 500 miles.an hour. Eventually I managed to get out at about 17,000 feet, and landed to bo welcomed by a fierce Maltese, who fiingered a shotgun till I was identified. “A day I shall never forget was when 90 Spitfires took off, while 38 Junkers 87’s attacked,” said Pilot Officer Bae. “Only eight of those Junkers returned io their base.

“I was watching the light from the hospital veranda with two wounded, German pilots and their faces were a picture as they saw the Germans shot down. After that day; our Spitfires had superiority

over Malta and tiie Germans were very careful from then on.” Several New Zealand fighter-pilots who have fought in Malta have now renow in a piaster jacket recovering. We Stenborg, Parnell, is one of those still there. He lias now shot down at least eight enemy planes. “Malta is certainly a hot spot,” Pilot Officer Rae said. “It was the- onlj’ time I ever had a feeling I would be lucky if I escaped with my life.”