MANY DESTROYED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 237, 4 July 1944, Page 6

MANY DESTROYED

Flying-Bombs Attacked By N.Z. Airmen OTHERS RAID BASES (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Received JiiJy 3, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 3, Visits to five New Zealand .squadrons in. Britain had been paid by Air ViceMarshal L. M. Isitt, Chief of the New Zealand Air Staff, accompanied by Air Commodore E„ G. Olson, D.S.O. They learnt at first hand about a New Zealand Tempest squadron patrolling and hunting for dying bombs, and saw the score-board, which .shows that practically every member of the squadron has shot down at least one bomb. From a Mosquito bomber squadron they heard that the New Zealanders have been attacking communications behind the German lines in France ever since D-day, and from a Mosquito nighttighter squadron they learnt that it . has shot down nine more enemy planes over France since the invasion started, bringing the squadron's total score to 29. From a New Zealand'Lancaster squadron they heard a first-hand account of attacks on flying-bomb bases and ■ from a New Zealand Btatilighter torpedobomber squadron they were told of attacks made against E-boats and shipping off the Dutch coast. They had hoped to see the New Zealand Spiflire squadron, hnt it was on patrol over the battle area. While visiting the Tempest squadron, Air Vice-Marshal Isitt aad Air Commodore Olson heard a flying-bomb rumble overhead above the clouds, being chased by fighters. Little can be said concerning the squadrons’ activities for security reasons, but they learnt that the top scorers are Flying Officer R. J. Cammock, Christchurch. Flight Sergeant O. Eaglcson. Auckland, Flight Lieutenant J. McCaw. Kurow, Flying Officer W, Miller, Invercargill, Pilot Officers K. McCarthy (address unstated) ami .It, Danzey, Auckland. Squadron Congratulated.

The Tempest squadron has received congratulations from Air Marshal Sir , Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Allied Air Com-mander-in-Chief on the western front, and Air Marshal Sir Roderick Hill. While flying on to see the New Zealand Mosquito bomber squadron, they saw several craters in the countryside caused by fly-ing-bombs. This (Mosquito squadron had bombed communications nt Villers Bocage the previous night and aircrews xyore just leaving their tents after getting up when Air Vice-Marshal Isitt. arrived. He talked to them informally. Some were still in their singlets and others with shaving soap still on their faces. He learnt that their targets included important junctions at Drctix, Chartres, Domi'ont and Versailles. They said they had met surprisingly little flak on any operations. In addition to bombing, the squadron also shoots up any lights it can see behind the German lines, making (be eimn-.y “keep down his head.” One pilot said : “It is dangerous even for a German to light a match outdoors these nights.” At the Mosquito night-fighter squadron. Air Vice-Marshal Isitt learnt that Flight Lieutenants G. E. Jameson, D.F.C., and Peter Hall, Gisborne, had shot down two enemy planes each and Flying Officer D. N. Robinson, Gisborne, and Pilot Officer O. J. McCabe, Whangarei, one each since D-Day.