FIVE MILES UP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20091, 10 November 1939, Page 7

FIVE MILES UP

LONE N.Z. PILOT

GERMAN PUT DOWN

CRASH IN FLAMES

VILLAGERS INJURED

(Eleu To], Copyright—United TreßS Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 10, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 9.

The Times says that a 21-year-old New Zealand pilot fought a brilliant single-handed action at a height o£ five miles above a Royal Air Force aerodrome in France, probably the highest combat in aerial warfare, and brought down the latest and fastest Dornier reconnaissance plane,

The New Zealander took off alone, climbed steeply in face of fire from the German gunner in the tail.

The New Zealander held his own fire till he was at close range. Then he loosed a single burst -and put out of action the enemy’s port motor. Closed In To 50 Yards The German plane banked, climbed again and opened fire. The New Zealand pilot felt the bullets humming by his head. Again lie attacked at a range of 250yds. with a long burst from his guns. He closed in to 50yds. and gave the German full bursts after nearly colliding. The Dornier plunged into a steep, straight dive, the New Zealander following at an incredible speed. The British plane stripped the fabric from its own wingtip. A wing of tiie German plane struck a house and it crashed in the main street of a village. With the engine full on, it tore a trench 10ft. deep and the plane burst into flames. The bodies of the three occupants were thrown 100yds. Two women residents of the village were slightly injured. Two other .British fighters, which attacked Dornier planes, were forced down. One British pilot who struggled from the machine covered with oil, declared that he believed he got his opponent.