HIGH REPUTATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 June 1943, Page 2

HIGH REPUTATION

OF NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

IN PACIFIC

SIX ZEROS SHOT DOWN

IN BATTLE IN SOLOMONS LAST WEEK.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. New Zealand fighter pilots were in the thick of the furious dogfight near the Russell Islands, in the Solomons, when Allied aircraft intercepted a large force of Japanese Zero fighters last week, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) announced yesterday.

Mr Fraser said that during an intense engagement, R.N.Z.A.F. fighter pilots were responsible for shooting down six Zeros. In all seven, New Zealand fighters participated in the engagement, and by destroying six Zeros they brought the score of enemy aircraft shot down by R.N.Z.A.F. squadrons operating in the Solomons area to 13, two of which have been shot down by New Zealand reconnaissance bombers.

One New Zealander has been reported missing from all these action. His next of kin has been advised. “R.N.Z.A.F. fighter squadrons have won a high reputation for themselves since their arrival in the forward area,” Mr Fraser added. “A few of the pilots in our fighter squadrons are veterans of air battles over Europe, one of whom has added at least two Japanese Zeros to his list of German aircraft destroyed, but the great majority of our fighter pilots are entrely New Zealand trained, and their success has been due in no small measure to the efficiency of their operational training in the Dominion. The first R.N.Z.A.F. units in the combat zone of the South Pacific were bomber and reconnaissance squadrons. They have established a fine reputation, which is now shared by the fighter squadrons.”