SPITFIRE SQUADRON

Evening Star, Issue 24289, 2 September 1942, Page 4

SPITFIRE SQUADRON

NEW ZEALANDERS IN DIEPPE RAID (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) LONDON, August 31. The New Zealand Spitfire Squadron carried out four sweeps during the recent attack on Dieppe, and shot down two Huns and probably two more. It was led by Squadron-leader R. Grant, D.F.M. They were also accompanied by Wing-commander P. G. Jameson, D.F.C. and bar. They took off on the first flight at 2 a.m., returning periodically for refuelling and to replenish their ammunition while snatching hasty bites of food. Wing-commander Jameson shot down one Hun in flames, while Pilot-officer C. Chrystall (Foxtou) shot down another. Flight-lieutenant SB. Baker (Dunedin) and Flying-officer Lindsay (Black .(Levin) got probables. During the 'fourth flight Squadron-leader Grant, Flight-lieutenant Baker, and Sergeant H. Lockio (Potono) all had combats, but without result. Many members of the (R.N'.Z.N.V.R. also took part in the raid on Dieppe, including Telegraphist R. N. Mitchell (Christchurch) and Potty-officer Motor Mechanic 1). Gillies (Oamaru), who were members of the crew of a motor launch. Mitchell said: “ IVe arrived off Dieppe at 5 a.in. escorting a number of invasion barges carrying FronchCanadiaus. It was just before dawn when wo got there. We accompanied the barges to the shore, while a shore battery pumped shells at us. They landed behind us until our destroyers silenced the battery. 1 got a good view of this because T was. working two hours on and two hours off, and l I happened to bo off at this period and so I stood on the deck. “ As wo came close inshore the Huns fired their ack-ack guns towards the sea, but the living splinters did not injure anyone in our ship. We put a smoke screen round the barges when they were 'nearly ashore, and swore when our engines failed us temporarily, but they were soon restarted. l Before lauding the troops we stood offshore until 3 p.m. watching the destroyers bombarding the defences. We also saw several German aircraft shot down.

“ Oiice three Hun bombers attempted to attack, but the destroyers shot the wing off one and scored a direct hit on another, while a Spitfire accounted for a third. Another time six Dorniers came out of the clouds intending to fix iis. hut inside of two minutes Spitfires shot down four and the remaining two jettisoned their bombs and scurried away.

“ We were among the last ships to leave. Our flotilla bad an escort of at least 76 Spitfires above for the whole of the return trip.”