BRITISH PLANES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1940, Page 9

BRITISH PLANES

SPITFIRES & HURRICANES ABLE TO STAND HEAVY PUNISHMENT. SOME ASTONISHING EXPLOITS. (British Official Wireless.) ’ RUGBY, October 17. The ability of the Spitfires and Hurricanes to stand up to punishment is well illustrated by accounts given by pilots of recent engagements. The pilot, of -a Spitfire which, after probably destroying a Dornier 215 and a Messerschmitt 109, was in turn attacked by six Messerschmitt 109’s when only a few miles from the French coast, had no alternative but to cut and run. “I reached the clouds,” said the pilot, “and started for the English coast. I was hit about three feet forward of the tail unit on the starboard side, and this caused a slit three feel long and cut one-rudder control cable. Five miles from my base I received a shell through the crank case which broke the throttle control. The engine caught fire and I switched off. I again switched on at about 1000 feet to enable me to reach the coast. The engine was blazing, and flames filled the cockpit. The engine stopped over the coast area. I put down the wheels and flaps and made a safe'landing at the aerodrome.” A Hurricane, after being hit by cannon and machine-gun fire from a Messerschmitt 109. and with half its right aileron shot off, started for home. The pilot then saw a Junkers 88. being attacked. "I got in one burst and then hauled off while three other Hurricanes attacked it,” he said. “The Junkers caught fire and crashed to the ground. I climbed up again somehow and saw a Messerschmitt 110. I joined in an attack and got in three good bursts, one of which caused smoke to pour out. Another Hurricane also fired. We were down to about 500 feet. I fired again as he was coming towards me. He turned and crashed at Surrey aerodrome. I landed there, too, and left my Hurricane to be repaired.” _____________