THRILLS IN AIR

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21247, 18 October 1940, Page 5

THRILLS IN AIR

HEROISM OF PILOTS SENSATIONAL EXPLOITS BOMBS AND CRASHES (Official Wireless) (Received Oct. 18, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 17 The ability of Spitfires and Hurricanes to stand up to punishment is well illustrated by accounts given by pilots of recent engagements. The pilot of a Spitfire which, after probably destroying a Dornier 215 and a Messerschmitt 109, was in turn attacked by six more Messerschmitts 109’s when only a few miles from the French coast and had no alternative but to cut and run, said: “I reached the clouds and started for the English coast. I was hit about three feet forward of the tail unit on the starboard side, which caused a slit three feet long and cut one of the rudder control cables. Five miles from my base I received a shell through the crank case, which broke the throttle control. “The engine caught fire and I switched off. I again switched on at about 1000 feet to enable me to reach the coast. The engine was blazing, the flames filling the cockpit. “The engine stopped over the coast area. I put down the flaps and made a safe landing at the aerodrome.” A Hurricane, after being hit by cannon and machine-gun fire from a Messerschmitt 109 and with half its right aileron shot off, started for home. The pilot then saw a Junkers 88 being attacked. “I got in one burst and then hurled off while three other Hurricanes attacked it,” he said. “The Junkers caught fire and crashed to the ground. I climbed up again somehow and saw a Messerschmitt 110. I joined in the attack and got in three good bursts, one of which caused smoke to pour i out. Another Hurricane also fired. “We were down to about 500 ft. I fired again as he was coming towards me and he turned and crashed at a Surrey aerodrome. I landed there too and left my Hurricane to be repaired.” ARMY OFFENSIVE

AIR FORCE ASSISTANCE FULL-SCALE SUPPORT CONFIDENCE IN BRITAIN (United Press Asn.—Elec. Te!. Copyright. LONDON, Oct. 16 Answering a question raised bv Lord Trenehard in the House of Lords, Lord Snell, lor the Government said that although air support for a modern army was vital, and the opinion had been expressed in certain quarters that this need could best be met by the creation of a separate air force at the exclusive disposal of the Army, this was not the considered view of either the Air Staff or the General Staff. The need of ensuring full-scale air support for the Army was fully appreciated by the Air Ministry and the War Office, and was engaging their continual attention. The experience of the past five months gave good grounds for claiming that the proved aptitude for war at sea of the British people was having its effect. They could look forward confidently to developments which would come in future months. In these developments the strengthening in the air, as in every way, of the Army offensive, would receive a full share of Government attention.

BRITISH CRUISER HIT CASUALTIES NOT HEAVY SAFE ARRIVAL IN PORT (United Pres* Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 17 The Admiralty reports that an enemy torpedo-carrying aeroplane damaged the British cruiser Liverpool while it was en route to its base from operations in the Mediterranean. The casualties were not heavy. The Liverpool has arrived safely in port. The cruiser Liverpool, a ship of 9400 tons, was built in 1937. She is armed with 12 6in., eight 4in. and a number of smaller guns, and six torpedo tubes. She carries three aircraft.