AIRCRAFT SAVED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21248, 19 October 1940, Page 8

AIRCRAFT SAVED

ATTACKED BY NAZI PILOT STAYS IN MACHINE (Official Wireless) (Received Oct. 19. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 18 A Messerschmitt pilot's attack on a damaged Spitfire saved the British aircraft from destruction and probably also saved the pilot’s life. An Air Ministry news service tells how, half out of his cockpit, a Spitlire pilot changed his mind about parachuting when he saw a Messerschmitt attacking him. after his Spitfire was damaged in a combat with a bomber. He sat down again and turned the damaged machine into the enemy. The German fled and the Spitfire was landed, the pilot being unhurt. He had been separated from his squadron in a fight with Messerschmitts. He went off and destroyed a Dornier 17 bomber. Preparing To Jump As the German went down in flames the Spitfire pilot felt a bang behind him and found his hood mirror shattered. He decided to jump as he thought the plane was on fire. “Having undone the strap and raised myself out of the seat, I saw a Messerschmitt attacking me,” he states. “Realising I was at a disadvantage in landing from a parachute and still having some ammunition left, I turned into the enemy', who evidently, not thinking I was damaged, made off at high speed. I had lost a lot of height by this time so decided to make a forced landing as the engine was still running.” In spite of fumes and smoke the pilot brought his aircraft down safely.