MALTA MASSACRE
SPITFIRES’ FEAT N.Z. COMMANDER MIRACLE OF DEFENCE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (2 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 14. “The man of the moment” and “the man behind the Malta victories” arc the descriptions given by the London newspapers to Air Vice Marshal Keith Rodney Park, of Dunedin, in commenting and reporting on the heavy losses sustained by the Germans over Malta in the past week —10G lost or limping in 48 hours.
Thus the Star: “The man immediately behind Malta’s latest successes is Air Vice Marshal Park, who, during the Battle of Britain, played a big part in helping to save this country. In Malta's defence he has once again, by the brilliant direction of his pilots, put into operation exactly the same tactics as he used during the heavy daylight raids when, as air officer commanding No. 11 group, his squadrons bore the brunt on the south and south-east coast.
“Air Vice-Marshal Park’s plan of defence is early interception. He decided when Malta was supplied with Spitfires that he would get the enemy bombers .while they were still at sea, although they had only 70 miles to come. It was obviously a sound theory, but the man who puts it into practice needs to be a 'genius of organisation. The efficiency of the defensive organisation under Air Vice-Marshal Park must be perfect and the timing of the Spitfires in the air almost miraculous.” The Air Ministry Middle East news service describes a “classic” interception when Spitfires dived on their enemies some 30 miles out to sea, shooting down over half. Not one was allowed to get anywhere near Malta. ; The Malta “massacre" thrilled all Britain,
The Secretary of State for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair, has sent to to Air Vice-Marshal Park a congratulatory message “to your squadrons on their brilliant exploits in recent battles. The destruction of more than 1000 aircraft by the airmen and gunners of Malta is a glorious and significant achievement.”
Between Saturay and Tuesday, GO enemy aircraft were destroyed over Malta during day and night attacks for the loss of six Royal Air Force fighters.
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Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20915, 15 October 1942, Page 4
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351MALTA MASSACRE Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20915, 15 October 1942, Page 4
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