FIGHTER PILOTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 32, 2 November 1942, Page 6

FIGHTER PILOTS

N.Z. Squadron’s Activities In England “Get down to realities, get behind the war effort till it really hurts. When I return to England I am going to bo asked many questions about the folk back home. . . . Leisure and pleasure have no place in the scheme of things in England. Although the people of England arc making sacrifices that are not- yet appreciated in New Zealand, they are doing it cheerfully.” These comments -were made by Wing Commander E. P. Wells. D. 5.0., D.F.C. and bar, during a brief broadcast address last night. He enlisted in New Zealand as an aircraftman in October, 1939, reached England in May, 1940, and by his skill and courage attained his present rank during the subequent period. Known as “Hawk-Eye,” lie was, till he recently returned to New Zealand and his home at Cambridge, Waikato, officer commanding the New Zealand Fighter Squadron in England. The squadron, said Wing Commander Wells, had established a wonderful record, and its traditions were in safe hands. Before its formation the New Zealand Bomber Squadron had already established a reputation for thoroughness and determination in reaching its targets. Not all the New Zealanders in England could be included in these squadrons, and some consequently had to serve in composite units. Except for the more fortunate one, the air aces of today did not receive so much.publicity today as those of the 1914-18 war. The spirit of the K.A.F. was based on team-work. Air warfare was carried out at a terrific speed, said Wing Commander ■Wells, and a Spitfire and a Fpcke-Wulf would meet in a frontal attack at about 700 miles an hour, Airmen were trained in New Zealand and Canada and officers were then posted direct to tne squadron for operational experience, at first being taken on shallow penetrations across the Channel. They flew the latest and best type of plane, and had no time to think about the Melbourne Cup and other sporting activities which at this ]>eriod of the year were in the thoughts of some people in this part of the world. Operational flights, said Wing Commander Wells, usually occupied about 11 hours. That meant 99 minutes of concentration and there was only relaxation when the plane touched ground again. The flying iiersontiel were ail New Zealanders, but not all the ground staff were. The work of the New Zealand ground staff, armourers and mechanics attached to the fighter squadron was outstanding. The tirepower of a Spitfire was such that in three seconds it fired 60 cannon shells and 240 rounds of .303 ammunition. Any aircraft coining into line witli Uns would go down in bits and pieces. Many people in England were unable to see much of the “dog-fights,” which might travel as far as 20 miles in a few minutes. All they could see were the spiral clouds created in the air by the planes’ exhausts. The New Zealand fighter squadron, concluded Wing-Commander Wells, had tin' record of engaging in more lighter sweeps than any other squadron in England till it earned a well-earned rest. There were some pilots who bad engaged in more Ilian 100 sorties, and most of the successes had been scored on offensive patrols. The New Zealand Squadron had ;tr> excellent record fur disrupting and destroying enemy train trans|Kirt.