GALLANT ACHIEVEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1943, Page 2

GALLANT ACHIEVEMENT

DAMAGED FLYING FORTRESS BROUGHT HOME. AFTER BEATING OFF SWARMS OF FIGHTERS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 4. With one engine blazing and- 20 fighters on its tail, a Flying Fortress "etuiming from a raid on Emden dived down in evasive action so close to the water in the North Sea that spray came through the open windows. Nevertheless, the fire blew out, the fighters were shaken off, and the bomber rode safely home to its base. Over Emden the propeller of one motor was “running away” and the engine burst into flames. The plane fell out of formation but took part in the bombing before it turned for home. More trouble in the shape of a swarm of enemy fighters was met as the bomber reached the coast. “It looked as if the whole Luftwaffe was waiting for us,” said the co-pilot who added: “Three of them went down in flames.”

With the remaining fighters still persisting, the pilot went into an evasive dive that brought the Fortress out of enemy range. With the bomber skimming the water and the vibration from the crippled engine severe, the pilot suggested that the crew should prepare to “ditch.” They all decided to stick it out, and the pilot nursed the plane back to a smooth landing.