BATTLE AT ODDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 August 1943, Page 3

BATTLE AT ODDS

SIX GERMAN FIGHTERS DESTROYED AND ANOTHER DAMAGED. BY NEW ZEALAND SPITFIRES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) LONDON, August 9. Six German fighters were destroyed and another was damaged over northern France this evening by four Spitfires from a New Zealand squadron. The squadron was returning from operations over France when Squadron Leader J. Checketts saw 12 Geimans below his formation. He detached three other Spitfires and dived down on the enemy. After a remarkably brief action they routed the enemy fighters, only five of which got away undamaged. All four Spitfires returned safely. This brief action, at odds of three to one against the Allied airmen was only part of the day’s offensive across the Channel. Altogether seven enemy aircraft were destroyed for the loss of three of our fighters. The New Zealand Spitfire squadron has now destroyed over 50 enemy planes. Describing the squadron’s latest engagement, Squadron-Leader Checketts said: “We were flying near the French coast when I saw a group of Messerschmitts below us. I called on three of tny pilots and went down to engage the enemy. We came on the Messerschmitts from below, slightly across the sun. I much doubt whether they saw us until three of them had been hit. I was ahead of my three fellow pilots when I called on them to come and get one each. I shot down a first Messerschmitt and then turned towards a second, got him, and finally towards a third. I hit him with gunfire. By this time the enemy knew all about it. One of them dived away for home, but my pilots had taken one each and brought the bag up to six. I had a crack at my fourth Messerschmitt and damaged him sufficiently to claim him as probably destroyed." AWARD OF D.F.C.

The D.F.C. has been awarded to Squadron Leader John Checketts, of Invercargill, commanding officer of the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron. Squadron Leader Checketts had shot down seven Germans, all within recent months. After a longish period as pilot officer he suddenly leapt into prominence as a first-class fighter pilot. Wing Commander Alan Deer is of opinion that Checketts is aipong the best commanding officers who have led New Zealand Spitfires. * Wing Commander W.. V. C. Compton, D.F.C. and Bar, of Mission Bay, Auckland, has been awarded the Silver Star by General Ira Eaker, commanding officer of the U.S.A.A.F. in Britain for his work in escorting Flying Fortresses over France.