NINE TO CHECKETTS

SQUADRON'S BAG OF OVER 50

LONDON, August 10,

Squadron Leader J. M. Checketts, commander of the New Zealand Spit-" fire Squadron, which has now destroyed_ over 50 enemy planes, described how his squadron made its surprise attack on a group of Messerschmitts, destroying six and damaging a seventh, over northern France on the night of August 9, without itself suffering loss. "We were flying near the French coast," he said. "'I saw a group of Messerschmitts below us. I called on three of my pilots and we went down to engage the enemy. We canu on the Messerschmitts from below and slightly against the sun. I doubt very much whether they saw us until three of them had been hit. I was ahead of my three fellow-pilots when I called on them, 'Come and get one each.' I shot down the first Messerschmitt and then turned towards a second and got him. Finally I went towards a third and 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, bringing the bag up to six. In the meantime I had a crack at mv fourth Messerschmitt,' and. damaged him sufficiently to claim him as probably destroyed." Squadron Leader Checketts has made nine kills since May 30.