FIGHTING AIRMEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 August 1941, Page 6

FIGHTING AIRMEN

PRIME MINISTER VISITS NEW ZEALANDERS MEN WHO ARE MAKING HISTORY. SOME NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON. August 13. In his visit, accompanied by the High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan) to the operational station of a New Zealand fighter squadron, the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), seated on blankets and a mattress in a pilot’s hut, chatted with the boys.” The squadron has shot down five Germans since its formation. Flight-Lieutenant E. P. Wells, of Cambridge, scored three; Squadron Leader M. W. B. Knight, Dannevirke, one; and Pilot Officer Charles Stewart, Wellington, one. Mr Fraser told the pilots that their experience would be valuable if they returned to New Zealand. Asked whether he would like to go, Squadron Leader Knight said: “Yes, but I would like to see this season out.” While Mr Fraser was inspecting Spitfires, Squadron Leader Alan Deere, D.F.C., of Wanganui, who has shot down seventeen Germans, landed. Mr Fraser congratulated him on his narrow escape when his fighter was damaged by gunfire over France and he was forced to limp across the Channel, prepared to bale out at any moment, but reached his base safely. One piece of shrapnel was stuck so securely to the glycol tank of Squadron Leader Deere’s plane that it prevented the oil leaking out. Mr Fraser visited a hospital and saw Sergeant I. J. McNeill, of Ruatoki, who was shaken after a forced landing. Mi’ Fraser heard that members of the New Zealand squadron had been engaged in escorting duties for sweeps .. over France.