WAR ACE AS LEADER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 March 1940, Page 5

WAR ACE AS LEADER

“For the Germans it must have been an extremely uncomfortable time and they must have wondered when the raid was going to end," lie said. Discussing the raid afterward, the R.A.F. men thought that the German searchlight and anti-aircraft crews must have been more tired than the attackers, "but we were tired enough and were quite glad to get back and go to bed knowing that the job had been done." Led by a 41-year-old squadron leader, a veteran of the last war with a "bag” of 25 enemy machines, 49 British planes took part in the raid, which is described as having been brilliantly executed. More than 40 tons of bombs were dropped.

A strict timetable was adhered to. each machine attacking at the appointed time and height. There was heavy anti-aircraft fire, including a new type of fireball that looked like a Roman candle. A tail wind took the planes to their objective 20 minutes ahead of time, so they cruised about before striking, and then returned to their bases in almost the same order as that in which they left.

One of the men taking part had been over Prague on the Saturday, in France on the Sunday, in England on the Monday, and then over Sylt on Tuesday. The raid is held to have proved the value of the aerial photographs taken earlier, enabling pilots to recognise their objectives without difficulty. Today three men who look part in the exploit were decorated. Squadron Leader W. 11. N. Turner and actingFlight Lieutenant ,1. J. Bennett received the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Sergeant J. L. Fletcher lhe Distinguished Flying Modal. DANISH PROTEST NO CONFIRMATION IN LONDON. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 21. A message from Copenhagen says that the Danish Minister in London has been instructed to protest Io Britain against Rbyal Air Force violation of Danish territory during the Sylt raid. il is officially staled here that there is no confirmation of .lhe repoiTed Danishprotest.