NEW ZEALAND FLYERS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 107, 30 January 1943, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND FLYERS

In Action And At Base (By Telciri-apli.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.; (Received January 29, 7 p.m.) LONDON. January 2b. The New Zealand Spitfire Squadron ran into a number of l-'ocke-Wulf IJOs recently when returning from a sweep over France. The New Zealanders were in a wing led by an English wing commander, D.F.C., who was a pilot, in the Battle of Britain. They were liying at 20.000 feet and saw the Foeke-U alls under them and they spiralled down and subsequently came on the Germans al a low level over the sea. The wing commander shot one down and Flight lieutenant R. SV. Baker, D.F.C., Dunedin, and Pilot Officer G. Moorehead, Ashburton, both took a quick “squirt” at another, which subsequently dived into tlie sea. Neither Laker nor Moorehead is sure whether he hit the Focke-IVulf and they must wait till the combat films tire developed. That night the squadron attended the first dance to be given by the Second New Zealand Fighter Squadron, which will be one year old in March. Tlie dance was to celebrate its prc-Christmas successes. The New Zealand High Commissioner and Mrs. Jordan attended, and Mr. Jordan presented Flight Lieutenant T. Ness, Dunedin, with a pen and_ pencil on liehalf of the squadron. Ness, who was formerly the squadron’s adjutant, was recently promoted and is now adjutant ot 75 (New Zealand) Squadron. Flight Lieutenant J. Clouston. Wellington, who was formerly a flight commander. hits now left the Second Squadron and has been promoted to squadron leader. His position as (light, commander is filled by A. E. Umbers, Dunedin, who is promoted to flight lieutenant. Action in Burma. Firing Officer E. D. Mackie, and Pilot. Officer S. F. Browne, Wellington. were recently transferred from the Spitfire Sqinidron. Mackie flew with it when the Scharnliorst anil (<neisenau dashed up the Channel last year, and he is regarded as a pilot above tlie average. The type of aircraft which tlie Second Squadron is now flying is still censored. Tlie Air Ministry news service states that Flying Officer A'erry, Auckland, is with a squadron operating on the Burma front. He took part in an attack over the Chindwin River, where, in ins words “W’e located two 65-foot steamers moored close to tlie right bank. They looked very new and I was told afterward that they cost' over £lO.OOO each. 1 am afraid they were worth about fourpence when the other fighters and 1 bail finished with them. Cannon shells blew great holes m their sides and large lumps flow in all directions. There was a great, deni ol smoke and llanie. and both Hie strainers

Tlie Algiers correspondent of tlie “Dailv Express” reports that I'l.ving Officer Paddy Cliainbei-s. a Spitfire pilot, "f Opoiiki, helped to save a Mctliterranean convoy by shooting down single-handed four out of live. Italian torpedo-bombers m 10 minttfes.

The liftlt llaliiin "ms within half a mile when Chambers believed Ins Spit lire was on lire-it was riddled by eannonshell and smoke was coming Irom behnitl the cockpit. ('liambers said. "1 thought [ was on fire, and that put the wind tip me. T am a nervous fellow al heart, so 1 based.”