NEW ZEALAND AIR ACE

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 278, 23 August 1945, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND AIR ACE

Gisborne Pays Tribute (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GIISBORNE, August 22. Gisborne paid tribute today at a civic reception to its greatest hco of this war, who is also New Zealand’s most successful fighter pilot, Wing Commander Cblin Gray, D. 5.0., D.F.C., and two Bars, R.A.F., who is home on short leave. The mayor, Mr. N. H. Bull, traced the exploits of Wing-Commander Gray in shooting down 274 enemy aircraft. He paid a tribute to the splendid services of the guest and all other members of the Air Force. He condoled with WingCommander Gray in the death in action of his twin brother, Flying-Officer Kenneth Gray, D.F.C., Czech War Cross. In acknowledging the welcome, WingCommander Gray said the battle of Britain would never perish from the mind, though it was now growing dim. It was a tough time. The British possessed only 40 squadrons of 12 planes each. The Germans were experienced in combat in Spain, Poland and the lowlands. But the R.A.F. was not battle-tested. The British won partly because of their pilots, but particularly because the Spitfire was 20 to 30 miles faster, than the Messerschmitt. Before going into combat, fighter pilots were generally frightened, but that feeling did not last long. A pilot had no feeling save to shoot down the opposing aircraft without thought of the man inside it. Wing-Commander Gray had a grandstand view of the invasion of France while leading patrols. There were literally thousands of aircraft over the beachhead, he said. Naval shells from the bombarding ships reached an altitude of 4000 ft. several miles inland. He described the VI as particularly horrid. Flying at 3SO miles an hour, as fast as an aircraft could go, it was difficult to catch unless one had the advantage of height. The A.A. gunners generally had three out of five Vi’s half of which exploded in mid-air. which was spectacular at night. The Germans had a lot up their sleeves, he declared, including rocket guns capable of shelling London at a terrific rate. If the war had dragged on much longer it might have been a different story. Musical honours were accorded WingCommander Gray and lusty cheers were given for him and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Gray.