HEAVY ODDS FACED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1942, Page 5

HEAVY ODDS FACED

SOUTH AFRICAN PILOTS.

CLASH OVER LIBYA.

MELBOURNE, April 23.

Disregarding heavy odds, seven South African Tomahawk pilots sailed into 20 Stukas, protected by ten Messerschmitt 109 s, which were attacking a British column patrolling 50 miles behind the German lines, reports Ronald Monson, war correspondent in Libya for the “Melbourne Argus.” The Stukas’ attack ha.d just opened, and no damage had been inflicted when the South Africans sighted them. Four of the Tomahawks, flying above the other three, were first into rhe. battle. Ten Messerschmitt 109 s, which were rapidly joined by ten others, shot in to intercept, but the Tomahawks eluded them and pumped cannon shells and machine-gun bullets nto the Stukas. The South African squadron-leader shot down one Stuka, and a second fell a victim to another pilot. The Stukas then made oft: in formation, escorted by ten Messerschmitts.

Remaining Messerschmitts continued the combat, and the fight raged across the sky for live minutes. The South African loader received a cannon shell in his cockpit, but reached his base after being attacked by a Messerschmitt. “When I saw him he was after a fight,” said the South African. “I tried to engage him, but he evidently decided he had to see a man at Martuba.”

One Messerschmitt was shot down in the fight, {out the South Africans had suffered some loss. However, all pilots but two turned up, though two were wounded. Within a few hours came a message from the senior officer congratulating the squadron on its gallant action in face of heavy odds.