FAMOUS N.Z. PILOTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 35, 5 November 1942, Page 5

FAMOUS N.Z. PILOTS

Record Of Planes Shot Down (Received November 4, 10 pm.) LONDON, November 3. New’ Zealand now has a long list of fighter pilots who have won fame, for thmselves and for the Dominion since the war began. It begins with the late Flying Officer E. P. (Cobber) Kam, D.F.C., who was the first ace of the war. The Air Ministry has no definite record of his official score, but believes he shot down at least 20 Germans. The following list of outstanding fighter pilots is unofficial and by no means complete, and subject to alteiation, but it. is as nearly correct as possible where there is no official record available:— Flying Officer Kain, -0; Squadron Leader Alan Deere, D.l .O. and Bar, Waiganui, 18; Squadron Leader Gray, D.F.C. and Bar, Gisborne, 17+; Pilot Officer R. Hesselyn, D.F.G. and Bar, Invercargill), 12J; Squadron Ixjader W. G. Clouston, D.F.C., Wellington, 12; Wing Commander E. •P. Wells, D. 5.0., D.F.C. and Bar, Cambridge (who is at present in the Dominion), 11; Pilot Officer Gray Stetiborg, D.F.C., Auckland, 10; Wing Commander R. M. Trousdale, D.F.C. and Bar, Howick, 8; Flight Lieutenant v<V. C. Compton, D.F.C., Mission Bay. and Pilot Officer J. D. Rae, Auckland, 6* each; Wing Commander I. S. Smith, D.F.C. and Bar, Auckland Squadron Leader R. J. C.. Grant, D.F.C., D.r.M., Auckland, Squadron ' Leader Derek Ward, D.F.C. and Bar, Whangarei, 6 each ; Wing Commander P. G. Jameson, DF.C. and Bar, Lower Hutt, Flight Lieutenant D. J. Scott, D.F.C. and bar, Greymouth, 5 each; Squadron Leade, C. E. Malfroy, D.F.C., Wellington, 1. Many other names of New Zealanders could be added.