N.Z. BOMBER CREWS

Evening Star, Issue 24325, 14 October 1942, Page 2

N.Z. BOMBER CREWS

CASUALTIES LIGHT SINCE HAMBURG (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) (llcc. 8 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 12. The High Commissioner, Mr W. J. Jordan, when on a visit to the New Zealand bomber squadron, was told that itsl casualties had been few since the raid on Hamburg, when they were fairly heavy. Mr Jordan learned that German night fighters were providing increasing opposition, but Flight-sergeant R. C, Reynolds (Lower Hutt) and Sergeant Bruce Philip (Amberley) have each shot down a Junkers 88, while Flight-sergeant K. A. Crankshaw (Greymouth) and Sergeant B. Neal (North Auckland) are among the New Zealanders who have taken “ bangs ” at night fighters. Flight-sergeant Reynolds was l in an all-New Zealand crew which has completed its operational tour._ Others were Flight-sergeants J. L. Wright (Hamilton), C. W. B. Kelly (Christchurch), M. A. Carter (Hastings), and A ; L. 0. Neal. They had painted on their Wellington a grinning “ Donald Duck ” coming out of an eggshell. Sergeant Philip was. in a crew with Sergeants W. Gordon (Kaiapoi) and A. Drew (Auckland). They have also finished operations, and so have Sergeant H. V. Allen (Christchurch) .and Flight-sergeant K. Sutherland (Invercargill), Pilot-officers E. A. Letchford (Picton) and L. Chambers (Westport). The squadron’s present “ oldest inhabitant ” is Pilot-officer W. G. Horne (Masterton), who has nearly completed operations. Recent newcomers include Pilotofficer G. H. Jacobson (Awaroa), who has carried out nine raids. His plane was hit over Duteberg on the third raid, when it was held’ in searchlights for half an hour. The aircraft was severely damaged. It flew over the Dutch coast in daylight, but returned safely. Another all-New Zealand crew comprised Pilot-officers L. G. Trott (Otorobanga), W. J. R. Scollay (Wellington), D. L. Poppelwell (Gore), and Sergeants M. Manawaiti (Timaru) and H. Hamerton (New Plymouth). They have completed half their operational tour. . Others at present with the squadron include Flying-officer F. J. Chum* (Te Awamutn), Pilot-officers E. F. Downes (Dunedin), E. L. Haydon (Palmerston North) and C. F. Omerod (Gisborne). Sergeants C. R. Davey (Dargaville), E. G. Firth, E. Worsdale, H. R. Welch, A. Scott. M. T. Parata, J. S. Voice. V. A. O. Dimock, K. H. Yeoman, E. A. Garty, and I. O. H. Sullivan (all of Wellington), H. J. Hugill, E. W. Hasbey, D. Wellington, R. H. J. Broady, B. A. Franklin, R. L. A. McFarland, D. Clearwater, and E. L. D. Ashwin (all of Auckland), J. G. Barnes, J. A. McConnell, and W. J. Barclay (all of Dunedin), L. H. Parkinson (Opotiki), V. Wattars ( Whangarei), R. J. Carter (Taumarunui), F. W. Marshall (Tauranga), C. J. Shalfoon (Opotiki), W. J. H. Barrinman (New Plymouth), W. A. N. Hardy (Wanganui), and H. Manerton (Patea). Mr Jordan also visited Ely Hospital, where there are several New Zealanders.