CONTINUED SUCCESS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 202, 24 May 1944, Page 7

CONTINUED SUCCESS

N.Z. Torpedo-Bombers (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.), (.Special Correspondent.) LONDON, May 22. Now on a station in the east of Eng. tend, the New Zealand Beaufighter tor-pedo-bomber squadron is continuing its successes against enemy shipping off the coast of Holland. The New Zealanders are continuing in the same rote which they performed so conspicuously white in Scotland when they sank many ships off the Norwegian coast. Their work fails into three categories. They carry out reconnaissances in pairs along the snipping lane off the Dutch coast, seeking convoys. When one is sighted the squadron takes off with a proportion of Beaufighters loaded with torpedoes, and others act as escorts, going in to beat up flak ships which escort the merchantmen. This coastal traffic has become increasingly important to the Germans as the result of the disruption of land communications. and. in the words of one New Zealander, the Germans are so fond ot these merchantmen that they provide at least three flak ships as escorts for each merchantman. The result is that the Beaufighters expect to meet a wall of fire, as well as a balloon barrage, when they go in.to attack —unless they manage to surprise tne enemv, which they do frequently. But the fact that they are flying perhaps onlv seven or eight yards above the sea makes it one of the most dangerous operations, for if an aircraft is badly hit it crashes into the sea immediately, giving the crew little or perhaps no chance of bailing out. Two Successful Raids.

This month, the New Zealanders who are commanded by Wing Commander J. 8. Dinsdale, D.F.C., Te Kuiti, have carried out two successful strikes. The first, which was led by a young English flight commander, Squadron Lea-der P. Hughes, was an effective surprise and the operation was so successful that he was awarded an immediate D.F.C. New, Zealanders in the attack, included Flying Officers A., R. Osment. Christchurch. J Gow. Levin. Warrant Officers R. J- W. Hey and Jas. Wright, both Dunedin. Near Borkum, they sighted about 20 ships, torpedo hits iheinff secured by Hughes. Gow and Conditions were not so favourable a. week later when they found u convoy of four merchantmen and escorts between Terschelling and Ameland. Flight Lieut. H. Davidson. Rotorua, was leading the New Zealand torpedo-bombers. He scored a hit, as also did Gow. _ Since January, the squadron has ar : tacked 120.000 tons of enemy shipping ott Norway and Holland, of which it has either sunk or damaged wns.