PART IN GREAT AIR ASSAULT

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 195, 16 May 1944, Page 5

PART IN GREAT AIR ASSAULT

N.Z. Spitfire Squadron EAGERLY AWAITING DAWN OF “D-DAY” (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Received May 15, 7 p.m.) LONDON, May 14. From an advanced airfield in the Second Tactical Air Force, a New Zealand Spitfire squadron is out carrying two and sometimes three operations daily in the great air offensive against enemy targets in France. Living under canvas under exactly the same conditions they will experience once they, move to captured territory, the New Zealanders both escort Marauders, Bostons and Mitchells, and also carry bombs which they have been dropping with considerably success on marshalling yards and railway lines. I was fortunate enough to see them take off and return from a typical operation last week. Before their briefing, some of the pilots rested comfortably in chairs or lay on a mat basking in the sun, stripped to the waist, outside their place of dispersal, which was a large camouflaged tent. They were reading papers from home or talking about their last leave. Then a few minutes before the briefing, they slipped on their clothes and strolled across the airfield to the briefing “room,” which was another large camouflaged tent. Here, with the pilots of two other squadrons, they crowded into its cool shelter and listened to their wing commander on flying. He was standing on a frail platform under a roof so low that he had to keep his head bent while he gave them instructions. Then they returned to their own dispersal and drank a bottle of orangead.e before clustering round their Scots commanding officer, who discussed the details of how the attack would be made. Then, gripping their parachutes and flying equipment, they walked leisurely to their Spitfires past a detachment of American soldiers who were visiting the airfield that afternoon to be shown the Spitfirbs. These Americans seemed amazed when they heard that the New Zealanders were taking off on an operation. “Why, those guys look as if they were just about to take a train to London instead of going to attack 'the enemy,” said one. Pilots Take Things Calmly. There was, in fact, almost an air of casualhess, and not studied casualness. New Zealanders have now become so accustomed to operating daily and seeing no German fighters and only occasionally being greeted by flak that the raids have tended to become something of a routine. It is noticeably a very different atmosphere from this time last year, when fights with Focke-Wulfs could be expected on every operation and all pilots had a feeling of tenseness before they took off. A significant remark —but one now taken for granted—had been made 'by the wing commander at the briefing. He said: "If it should so happen that we see a Hun . . .”—a remark which would never liave been heard last year. Soon the Spitfires were gone after taking up formation quickly, arid competitions are now being held among squadrons to see how quickly they can get into formation or land, the average time being three to four minutes. While the squadron was away, other pilots showed the Americans, over the Spitfires. ‘Then, nearly two hours later, the deep drone of motors announced the squadron’s returning.' They landed rapidly and soon the pilots, still bearing the imprint of their helmets on their' cheeks and with that pinkish putty colour their faces always seem to have immediately after flying, were again strolling over the grass to have tea in a large camouflaged tent. Their comments on the operation were restrained and laconic: “Oh.' yes, we found the target all right. Bombs hit the marshalling yards. They made beautiful explosions. Yes, we saw some flak —light white stuff-—very inaccurate.” And if you ask "fighters?” they would say with a short ' laugh. “Cripes, no. Haven’t seen a Focke-Wulf for three months.” That was the squadron’s second operation for the day, and after tea, lounging under an apple tree'which was used as an impromptu hat-stand and from which the blossom had recently faded, they discussed the possibility of a third operation that day. ■ AIL the pilots say the same thing when questioned as to what France looks like these days. “Beautifully peaceful. There are a good many bomb pocks, but no sign of life from 12,000 ft.” The pilots say they like tent life with the exception of having no opportunity for baths, often for weeks. What, they and all are looking forward to. genuinely so, is “D Day.” The general opinion is that “it will be good when we can really get cracking after all this' waiting,” and every man knows exactly wlnit he has to do when the time comes to break camp and move “to the other side.”