MALTA VICTORIES

Southland Times, 16 October 1942, Page 5

MALTA VICTORIES

Praise For N.Z. Air Officer (Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, October 14. The “Man of the Moment” and the “Man behind the Malta Victories” are descriptions given by the London newspapers to Air Vice-Marshal Keith Rodney Park, of Dunedin, in commenting and reporting on the heavy losses suffered by the Germans over Malta in the past week —106 planes lost or limping in 48 hours. The Star says: “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 brilliant direction of his pilots put into operation exactly the same tactics he used during

the heavy daylight raids when as air officer commanding • the No. 11 Group his squadrons bore the brunt on the south and south-east coast. Air ViceMarshal Park’s plan of defence is early interception and he decided that when Malta was supplied with Spitfires he would get the enemy bombers while they were still at sea. It is obviously a sound theory, but the man who puts it into practice needs to be a genius for organization. The efficiency of the defensive organization under Air ViceMarshal Park must be perfect and the timing of the Spitfires in the air is almost miraculous.” The Air Ministry Middle East News Service describes the “classic” interception when Spitfires dived on the enemy some 30 miles out to sea, shooting down over half, and allowing not one to get anywhere near Malta. The Malta “massacre” has thrilled all Britain.