RESOURCEFUL PILOT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 196, 28 May 1940, Page 5

RESOURCEFUL PILOT.

HOLES IN TANK PLUGGED UP.

TIMELY CAMOUFLAGE OF PLANE.

(Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, May 27

The story has been told how a British pilot shot down over enemy territory was able to make his way back to his'base. Over East Belgium, irn-the early days of the German push, a flightlieutenant was returning after engaging' e'neifly bombers. He was attacked by six fighters, hut managed to get . away*. His engine had been holed, and it became evident that he would.not bo able to reach home. He landed in a field, and with the help of“peasants who were working nearby lie pulled branches to . cover the aircraft, He had just time to hide in a ditch when German bombers came over. i >'. , , ■ ■ •• * •

“I thought they had spotted biy aircraft for certain,” sajd the pilot. “They kept cruising around for about 10 minUtes, coming-quite Tow, and all the time I expected them to open up with machine-gun fire, but the camouflage must have been quite good, for they filially flew away. "" ' The pilot dodged from the ditch, examined the engine, and found two small holes, but the aircraft was otherwise undamaged. Walking to the nearest town he obtained motor-car petrol and oil from a garage and persuaded several men to act as hearers. He bought - packet of chewing-gum at a grocer’s. “I chewed the gum a bit to get it tacky and then plugged the holes. It set very well. I got the petrol and oil in, then took off, and so home,” said the pilot.—British Official Wirclossfl