FINE RECORD OF CANADIANS

Southland Times, Issue 24242, 27 September 1940, Page 5

FINE RECORD OF CANADIANS

Work In Home Defence AIR MARSHAL BISHOP IN ENGLAND (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 26, 6.30 p.m). RUGBY, September 25. The reputation of the Royal Canadian Air Force has been further 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 two Hawker Hurricane pilots of a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron. When they came back to their base they found Air Marshal W. A. Bishop, V.C., D. 5.0., M.C., D.F.C., famous Canadian fighter pilot of the last war and now Director of Recruiting for the Royal Canadian Air Force, waiting to meet them. The two Canadian pilots were slightly disappointed that they could not be cer-

tain that they had destroyed the enemy because they had not been able to see it drop in 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 pilots fighting with the Royal Air Force have helped to save London from attack. Between them these Hurricane squadrons—the original allCanadian squadron of the Royal Air Force formed in England and the squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force formed in Canada —already have destroyed more than 100 enemy planes. Well as all the Canadians did over Dunkirk, much of their fine fighting has been over the streets, docks and houses of 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 now has destroyed 55 enemy planes against a loss of only two of their own pilots. “The Royal Canadian Air Force squadron, which is more newly arrived, is proud that it came to England as a complete unit, with its' Canadian-built Hurricanes, a full supply of spares and its own motor transport. Eighty-three members of their ground staff learned their knowledge of fighter aircraft under the Empire training scheme. Like all Canadians the Royal Canadian Air Force squadron is proud to have fought for London.”

MONEY FOR PLANES FROM SOUTHLAND

(British Official Wireless) RUGBY, September 25.

Gifts towards the purchase of aircraft include £16,886 sterling from the people of Southland, New Zealand, and £lO,OOO from the people of Tasmania. To enable £16,886 sterling to be presented in London, the people of Southland raised £21,000 in New Zealand currency.