NIZAM’S SQUADRON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1940, Page 6

NIZAM’S SQUADRON

OF BRITISH SPITFIRES

RECENT SUCCESS DESTRUCTION OF GERM-AN PLANES. OVER 24 SHOT DOWN IN TEN DAYS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) RUGBY, August 23. Details of the recent successful activities of the Nizam of Hyberabad’s squadron, which within the past 10 days has destroyed over 24 junkers and Messerschmitts, are now disclosed. On August 18. which proved their most successful day, 11 of the squadron's Spitfires caught 30 Junkers divebombers and 10 escorting fighters off the Isle of Wight. The squadron immediately dived to attack, circling down at more than 400 miles an hour. One pilot brought down three —the first two single-handed and the third shared with fellow pilots. In the whole week there were only two days when the squadron did not go up and come back with one or more of the enemy to its credit. Yesterday, with the Nazis went back to their old tip and run tactics, the Nizam's squadron was again successful. Three of the Spitfires, on patrol off the south coast, sighted a solitary Junkers 88 and attacked in turn. The enemy dived almost to sea level. Thirty seconds later it had disappeared beneath the waves. Since this squadron shot down its first enemy aircraft in February, at least 34 more German planes have been destroyed by its pilots.