GUNNER’S STORY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20063, 9 October 1939, Page 11

GUNNER’S STORY

FIGHT OVER GERMANY SUPERIOR FORCE BEATEN FOUR ENEMY LOSSES ESCAPE BY PARACHUTE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn. (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 2 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 6 A graphic account of an air battle over Germany, in which the Germans lost four machines, was given in ar j interview with a Welsh air gunnei |in a medical receiving station by j '‘Eye-witness” with the Royal Ail ; Force “somewhere in France.” “We were a handful of British planes out on a reconnaissance llighl over the Siegfried Line,” he said. “The Germans spotted us almost at once and their anti-aircraft batteries opened fire, but we went up well above 20,000 ft. and continued our work. We were three in a plane, the pilot, an Observer, and myself as gunner. It was a wonderfully clear day and we could see for miles. All Germany stretched beneath us. “Suddenly we saw enemy planes swirl up towards us. They were Messerschmitts, three formations of six each. We were outnumbered by more than three to one, but we prepared to give battle. The enemy began with their favourite tactics, diving up from underneath and machine gunning as they came. Then one of the planes led itself to the tail of my machine and a terrific duel began. I could hear bullets ripping through the fabric beside me. I looked round and saw the observer crumpled in a heap in his seat, shot in the head. Incendiary Bullets “The enemy were using incendiary bullet?, and suddenly I realised that it was only a question of seconds before the fiames reached me. Then, just as my clothing began to smoulder the plane behind us swooped up and offered me a lovely target. I gave him all I had got, and as the flames .blazed up into my face I just had time to see him go into a spin and disappear beneath me. “If I hadn’t been on, fire I could easily have shot down two more. But my pals accounted for three besides the one I hit. Half-unconscious. I started to struggle out of my cockpit. I must have pulled the string of my parachute, for I suddenly saw it open and felt myself dragged out of the plane. “I got a nasty blow on the leg from the tail of the machine. Then for a moment I suppose fainted. Next I remember was floating down while the battle continued above me. Rescued By French "When I got quite low I heard firing and realised that bullets were whistling near me. I was above the German lines. They continued firing almost until I was on the ground. I released my parachute and staited to crawl desperately to a little thicket in the 'hope of hiding there, “I saw the Germans leave their trenches and come running towards me. I thought I was done for. Then suddenly I saw other men running. I recognised them as French Algerian soldiers. 'Both sides were racing for “Most of the French began to fire at the advancing Germans, but one came straight towards me. He picked me up and slung me over his shoulder and staggered with me into the woods. I was safe, but it was a very near thing. “The pilot of my plane came down in French territory safely, though very badly burned.” The gunner added that the observer must have died at once. The pilot was too badly injured to tell his story.