NIGHT FIGHTERS
NEW ZEALANDERS SERVING IN BRITAIN EXCELLENT ALL OF THEM. ARDUOUS TRAINING & SERVICE. (Special P.A. Correspondent.) LONDON, May 20. The New Zealand Night-fighter Squadron, flying black-painted Hurricanes, operated when the Germans raided Norwich two nights in succession. The English commanding officer and Flight Lieuts. H. N. Sweetman, Auckland, J. G. Clouston, Wellington, and Pilot Officer A. E. Umbers, Dunedin, had the distinction of first operating for the squadron. They are disappointed that they had no combat. It was clear moonlight, and they saw fires burning and bombs dropping on Norwich, and also flares from Nazi aircraft lighting up the country for miles, but when the New Zealanders roared through the night sky seeking the Germans, they could not be found, though the squadron stood by nightly waiting hopefully for the Germans —a hope not shared by the civilian population, incidentally—they had no further opportunity of operating, as the Germans have recently stayed at home. Meanwhile, the squadron continued its training, winning warm praise from the group captain of the station, who has the D.S.O, and two bars, and fought in France and the Middle East. The group captain said: “They are excellent boys, all of them. I know they will do well.” The training for night fighting is arduous, and pilots are not considered experienced till they have flown at least 100 hours at night. Pilots must be able to fly by instruments, for there is no horizon on a dark night. They carry out interception exercises during moonlight periods, co-operate with searchlights, and learn enemy silhouettes. This recognition is most important. It is a point in Which Squadron 'Leader R. M. Trousdale, Auckland, who recently won a bar to the D.F.C., has won a reputation among the New Zealand Squadron, who describes him as a “wizard” night fighter. He is attached to a neighbouring squadron. The pilots spend several hours carrying out “circuits and bumps,” which is practising taking off and landing at night time. When operating they use oxygen at all heights, and also usually push back the hood of the cockpit ana take off their goggles, enabling them to see better. If a pilot has good eyesight, he can maintain it by keeping fit and paying attention to diet. Before night flying, pilots sit in a dim-lighted room and then go out and accustom themselves to the darkness before taking off. It is considered that it requires 45 minutes before the eyes become thoroughly attuned to the darkness.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1942, Page 3
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412NIGHT FIGHTERS Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1942, Page 3
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