CANADIAN AIRMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21229, 27 September 1940, Page 7

CANADIAN AIRMEN

NAZI PLANES DESTROYED THRILLING ENCOUNTERS PROTECTION OF LONDON (United Pres? Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 25 The reputation of the Royal Canadian Air Force has been further enhanced by details of its part in the air battles over England, given by the Air Ministry news service, which says:— One of the German bombers, a Dornier 215, was attacked by two Hurricane pilots of the Royal Canadian Air Force squadron. When they came back to the base they found Air Marshal W. A. Bishop, V.C., the famous Canadian fighter pilot of the last war, and now director of recruiting for the Royal Canadian Air Force, waiting to meet them. The two Canadian pilots were slightly disappointed that they could not say they had destroyed the enemy, because they had not been able to see it drop into the sea, but a few minutes later a message came through from a coastguard station that a Dornier had been seen to plunge into the Channel. Six times during the past fortnight Canadian pilots fighting with the Royal Air Force have helped to save London from an attack. Between them these Hurricane squadrons—the original All-Canadian Squadron of the Royal Air Force formed in England and a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force formed in Canada—have already destroyed more than 100 enemy machines. Very Fine Fighting Well as all the Canadians did over Dunkirk, much of their fine fighting has been over the streets and docks and houses of London. The Royal Canadian Air Force squadron, which came into action in August, has done all its fighting in home defence. In its last six fights the All-Canad-ian Squadron destroyed 55 of the enemy against a loss of only two of its own pilots. The Royal Canadian Air Force squadron, more newly arrived, is proud that it came to England as a complete unit, with Canadian-built Hurricanes, a full supply of spares and its own motor transport. Eighty-three of their ground staff learned their knowledge of fighter aircraft under the Empire training scheme. Like all Canadians, the Royal Canadian Air Force squadron is proud to have fought for London.