N.Z. BEAUFIGHTERS

Grey River Argus, 1 June 1943, Page 6

N.Z. BEAUFIGHTERS

Doings of Squadron

(Special to N.Z. Press Assn) LONDON, May 27. The New Zealand Beaufighter Squadron, in addition to patrolling as night fighters and training American airmen, has also been detaching aircraft for night intruding over France to attack German transport. Its score of locomotives and trains shot up or damaged now totals 29. During recent moon periods a section of three Beaufighters has been attached to another station for this intruding. The most successful pilot thusfar has been an Aucklander, G. F. Reed, a recently-promoted Pilot Officer. He has accounted for thirteen trains. F. W. Davison, of Timaru, who has risen from Flying Officer to Squadron Leader, in five weeks, has accounted for eight. His observer is A. S. Cutfield, of Auckland, recently promoted Flying Officer. They have been together for a year. FlightLieutenant J. Gunn (Gisborne), has shot up two trains and two barges. Sergeant D. N. Robinson (Gisborne), and also Flight-Sergeant Pa D. Bergemann have both shot up three trains. This damage inflicted on enemy transport is most important in the work of disrupting communications and overtaxing locomotive repair vards. Beaufighters cross the channel at “nought feet,” and roam over the country seeking trains, which can be often picked out in moonlight by tell-tale steam and smoke. Then Beaufighters rake them from a low level with cannon shells. This New Zealand squadron has had several changes in personnel. Wing-Com-mander R. M. Trousdale, D.F.C.,- and Bar, of Howick, has been succeeded by Wing-Commander P. R. BurtonGyles, D. 5.0., D.F.C., and Bar, who is an Englishman. He won the D.F.C. in July, 1940, and the 'Bar in July, 1941, after an attack against warships in Brest. He received the D.S.O. for several outstanding feats, including superb airmanship in bringing back a seriously damaged aircraft after a mining operation. Paul Rabone, of Palmerston North, has left for Malta, where he is to fly Mosquitoes. He was succeeded as Flight-Commander by Davison. The other Flight Commander is English. An Aucklander, A. E. Browne, was recently promoted Flight-Lieutenant, and R. S. Jeffs (Wanganui), also T. P. Ryan and N. M. Knox have been promoted Pilot Officers. The squadron is now equipped with the latest Beaufighters with Hercules motors. The squadron is very keen to give up training and become fully operational. Flying Officer Cutfield married Miss Dorothy Franklin, of KirtonLindsey, at Kirton-Lindsey, on Wednesday, when Flying Officer Davison was best man. The bride’s father served in the Royal Flying Corps.