EPIC OF AIR WAR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 137, 10 May 1940, Page 7

EPIC OF AIR WAR

PILOTS’ ORDEAL. BOMBED FOE HOURS. MAGNIFICENT GBIT. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Deceived May TO, 10.27 a.rail (IGB Y, May 9. One of the most stirring incidents of the wear concerns the experiences of the fighter squadron which, during recent operations late at night, after flights in a blinding' snowstorm from an air-craft-carrier, landed on an improvised landing ground on a frozen lake at Lesjeskogen, 40 miles south-east of Andalsnes.

Snow had to be cut away for a runway, but all the pilots made a sale lauding and in a little over an hour the ’planes refueled and dispersed around the lake,' except for one section which was in immediate readiness. It was necessary for some •of the aircraft to take off at once to intercept two aircraft with Norwegian markings but which were probably flown by German pilots. In any case, the enemy were soon aware of our dispositions. A patrol of the lake began at 3 o’clock the next morning. The difficulty of getting the aircraft, into the air was immense owing to the bitter cold. Shortly after 4 a.m. three of our aircraft engaged a Heinkel and shot it-down, and two other Ileinkels were intercepted. The frozen lake was. attacked soon afterwards by another Heinkel with bombs and machine-gun fire.; At 7.30 a.m. the enemy began his attacks, which continued all day until 8 pun. Except on the runway, melting snow in drifts several feet, deep made it almost impossible to move. The British pilots had to crawl through the snow on their hands and knees, and their drenched clothing immediately froze. EXPOSED TO FT BE. Throughout the incessant attacks the pilots remained in the open without cover and without a thought of seeking any. As they came down from their combats with the enemy they refuelled, replenished their ammunition, and tried to start up again. As one by one the aircraft were destroyed on the ground the pilots, some badly burned, helped one another to get the remaining aircraft into the air, all the time being machinegunned. When they could no longer fly they fought back from the ground with a machine-gun. Towards the end of the day, their ammunition exhausted, the pilots made attacks which were feints without a chance of returning the enemy’s fire. DAUNTLESS COURAGE., One, with no ammunition and practically no petrol—attacked by three of the most modern heavily-armed German fighters—saved liis aircraft from being shot down by repeatedly attempting to-collide until his enemy swerved away. Their cannon fire struck the aircraft again and again. Ho successfully made a forced landing and the ’piano was set on fire as he left it: Altogether on this day 40 sorties were carried out and 37 enemy aircraft were engaged. The landing ground was bombed and machinegunned by between 80 and 90 German bombers and 132 craters were counted. By the end of the day only five of the 18 Gladiators were serviceable, but six enemy aircraft for certain, and probably eight more, were brought down on the surrounding mountains. At the end of the next day the remaining R.A.F. aircraft were loft after having carried on the unequal combat with considerable success. Only one aircraft was serviceable. Owing to the evacuation in Southern Norway it was not possible to repair these damaged aircraft. When the pilots re-embarked their ship was bombed for six hours without interruntion, but all the attacks failed. A Press Association message says that Lieutenant E. W. Taylour, aged 25, of tlie Fleet Air Arm, has been awarded the D.S.C. and Bar to the D.S.C. and. has been mentioned in dispatches. He is the first to appear thrice in one list of decorations sinre the outbreak of the war. Lieutenant Taylour engaged two flights off Bergen and another elsewhere. The action was referred to by the Air Minister , (Sir Samuel Hoarej in hjs speech in the House of Commons this week. It was reported yesterday that the King had decorated several members of the squadron for their gallantry in this engagement.