CANADIAN AIR FORCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24414, 27 September 1940, Page 8

CANADIAN AIR FORCE

REPUTATION ENHANCED BATTLES OVER ENGLAND MANY SUCCESSES (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Sept. 25. (Received Sept. 26, at 7 p.m.) The reputation of the Royal Canadian Air Force was farther enhanced by details of its participation in air battles over England given by the Air Ministry news service, which says: "One of the German bombers, a Dornier 215, was attacked by twe Hurricane pilots of the R.C.A.F. squadron. When they came back to the base they found Airmarshal Bishop, V.C., the famous .Canadian fighter pilot of the last war and now director of recruiting for the R.C.A.F.. waiting to meet them Two of the Canadian pilots were slightly disappointed that they could not say they had destroyed the enemy because they had not been able to see it drot) into the sea, but a few minutes later a message came through from a coastguard station that the Dornier had been seen to plunge into the Channel. Six times during the past fortnight Canadian Dilots. fighting with the R.A.F.. have' helped to save London from attack Between them these Hurricane squadrons—the original " all Canadian squadron" of the R.A.F. formed in England, and the squadron of the Roval Canadian Air Force formed in Canada—have alreadv destroyed more than 100 enemy machines. Well as the "all Canadians" did over Dunkirk, much of their fine fighting has been over streets and docks and houses in London. The Royal Canadian Air Force squadron which came into action in August, has done all its fighting on home defence. In its last six fights the " all Canadian" squadron has now destroyed 55 of the enemy, against the loss of only two of its own cilots. The R.C.A.F. squadron, more newly arrived, is proud that it came to England as a complete unit, with Canadian-built Hurricanes, a full supply of spares, and its own motor transport. Eighty-three of their ground staff learnt their knowledge of fighter aircraft under the Empire training scheme. Like the " all Canadians." the R.C.A.F. squadron is proud to have fought for London.