N.Z. FIGHTER SQUADRON

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 162, 22 April 1942, Page 2

N.Z. FIGHTER SQUADRON

ACTIVITIES IN MALAYA.

MAGNIFICENT RECORD RELATED. IN THICK OF STRUGGLE. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 21. “The record of the New Zealand Fighter Squadron Avhich served in Malaya is one of which the Dominion may well be proud,” said the Hon. F. Jones to-night in releasing the official account of the activities of the Squadron. “The New Zealanders Avere in the thick - of the fighting when the Japanese launched their attacks, on Malaya, and up till the time they left Singapore, shortly before the fall of that city, the experienced almost everything that modern blitz warfare has, to offer. “I am pleased to say that the casualties were, in view of the circumstances amazingly light, and, although some members of the unit were not successfully evacuated, the number Avho have returned to New Zealand is considerably larger than might have been expected. “Everything possible is being done to trace missing personnel, and the next-of-kin of these men may be assured that immediately any definite information comes to hand they will be advised by urgent telegram. “An official account of the activities of the Fighter Squadron has been prepared, and this I have been pleased to release so that the Dominion may know something of the work done by the officers and airmen of this unit.”

Official Account, The New Zealand Fighter Squadron assembled for the first time on September 2, 1941, at an Air Force station in NeAV Zealand, where it was equipped for overseas service. The .advance party left on September 11 and arrived at Singapore on October 19 after an uneventful voyage. It was met there by Squadron Leader W. G. (Houston, D.F.C., and his two flight commanders, Flight Lieutenant (uoav Squadron Leader) J. N. MacKenzie, D.F.C., and Flight Lieutenant J. R. Hutcheson. These three officers were veteran fighter pilots with an impressive war record. The remainder of the Squadron arrived at different intervals, and on October 20 active operational training Avas commenced. It may be mentioned here that the ground staff of the Squadron, as well as the pilots, were sent from New Zealand. Other New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force w*ere attached to the Squadron on its arrival in Malaya. Certain Royal Air Force personnel were also attached, but Avith these feAV exceptions the unit was composed entirely of New Zealanders. Intensive training was carried on by the Squadron during October and November in formation flying, aerobatics, reconnaissance, Army, co-opera-tion, etc., but the problem of supplies and equipment was one which considerably taxed the resourcefulness of the equipment officers. These difficulties were met as they arose, and the Squadron continued to prepare for what might come. On December 1, war with Japan broke out, and a state of first emergency was declared. In spite of the short period of preparation and all the initial difficulties which had to be met, the Squadron was quickly placed on a war footing, and within a few hours was prepared for its first war operations. The first enemy bombing raid in Malaya occurred early on December 8 at Kotu Baru, but it was not until one month* later that the New Zealand Squadron’s aerodrome at Kallang w,as bombed. In the meantime, the Squadron had taken part in many operational flights against the enemy.

The First Big Dog-fight. The first defensive air patrol of Singapore was carried out early on December 8. Two days later, on December 10, aircraft took off in an endeavour to locate the Prince of Wales and the Repulse, which werethen being attacked. They arrived in time to escort a destroyer which had picked up survivors ,and several patrols were then carried out over the area. For the next few days, routine patrols were carried out and several Japanese reconnaissance aircraft were chased without results. On January 9, the aerodrome was heavily bombed. Station buildings were hit, but there were no casualties. Three days later, ou January 12, the Squadron was involved in its first big dog-fight with the enemy. A large formation of Japanese fighters was encountered over Johore at 12,000 foot, and in a few- moments the opposing aircraft were engaged in combat. Our aircraft were heavily outnumbered, and the enemy had the advantage of superior height. Two of our aircraft were shot down, but both the pilots landed safely by parachute. Other machines were damaged, but, fortunately, there were no casualties. During the next day patrols and skirmishes hvTre jalmost continuous. One pilot baled out into the sea when his aircraft caught fire and was rescued by some Chinese in a sampan. He returned to Ivallang aerodrome none the worse for his adventure. A second pilot experienced a similar adventure shortly afterwards, and a third pilot was shot down into the sea and swam some 400 yards to a small island. The amount of damage done to enemy aircraft during these actions could not be accurately observed. During the next three days, many

attacks wore made on large Japanese formations, but our pilots wore still heavily outnumbered, and in the confusion of the dog-fights the amount 1 1 damage done to enemy aircraft could not be ascertained. At least one Japanese aircraft was shot down on January 15. On the following day, six aircraft of the New Zealand Fighter Squadron escorted British bombers attacking enemy transports, but no enemy fighters were met on this occasion. The Squadron had a successful day on January 19, when it destroyed two enemv fighters for certain and threo probably, with no loss to itself. A crconnaissance of Kuala Lampur was carried out later pn the same day, and as a result, of this, a force of Flying Fortresses bombed the aerodrome that night. On January 20 an attack was made on Japanese bombers'near Muar, forcing them to jettison their bombs and flee. One was destroyed for certain and two others damaged. This attack was carried out in conjunction with an Australian squadron. A heavy bombing attack was made on the Fighter Squadron’s aerodrome on January 22, just as a flight of aircraft was about to take off. A bomb landed close to one of the aircraft, and the pilot iater died from the injuries he received. A New Zealand member of the ground staff was killed instantaneously by bomb splinters. He had stopped to make certain that the aircraft he was servicing left the aerodrome before lie raced for cover, but was then too late. During the raid a telephone operator sat under a table and gave a running commentary on the scene. Several buildings were wrecked, and five airmen, disregarding the exploding ammunition, succeeded in extinguishing a fire which broke out in the ammunition filling room.

Given Hurricanes. Shortly after this came the news that the Squadron was to be re-equipped with Hurricane fighters. Some excellent work was done by the ground staff in checking the machines and preparing them for operations. On January 25, the Squadron was engaged in an attack on a large formation of Japanese bombers, forcing them to jettison their bombs. Many Japanese were damaged in the ensuing chase, all our aircraft returning safely. Another heavy raid on the aerodrome was carried out by the Japanese on January 27, when a formation of 27 bombers appeared with very little warning. A large number of bombs were dropped and eight pilots, who were sheltering in a sandbagged gun emplacement, were buried when a bomb dropped very close. They were pulled out little the worse for the experience. A second wave of 2 < bombers came over 40 minutes later, and although there were many near misses on the shelter trenches, none of the New Zealanders was injured. Through all their heavy bombing, officers and men behaved magnificently and immediately the Japanese left the aerodrome, parties wore at work repairing damage and preparing their own aircraft to take off. Heavy bombing was again carried out on the following two days, and all men who were not working on aircraft repairs were engaged in filling bomb craters in the aerodrome. On January 31, the Squadron was advised to make preparations to move immediately. During that night, there was much bombing activity, several buildings being hit. Fortunately, there were no casualties. During the nexv few days preparations were made for the removal of the Squadron. The ground crews worked extremely hard to repair damaged aircraft, and everything possible was done to get all aircraft in the air for an evacuation. Parties from the Squadron were sent to nearby aerodromes to assist in removing their aircraft, and this was generally a period of tremendous activity for both air crews and ground staff.

Squadron Evacuated. Meanwhile, enemy bombing raids were increasing in intensity, and some of the aerodromes came under the direct shellfire of the enemy. While preparations for evacuation were continuing at Singapore, temporary bases were being prepared in the Dutch East Indies to receive the units as they arrived. Aircraft were flown to these bases, and on February 11 the remainder of the Squadron was embarked on a ship at Singapore. This sailed the next morning, and shortly afterwards was heavily bombed by several waves of Japanese aircraft. Members of the Squadron personnel manned Lewis guns and tommy-guns and also formed a firing party with rifles. One enemy aircraft was destroyed and one damaged as a result of the concentrated barrage they put up. Three hits were scored on the ship during the first attacks, but none of the Squadron personnel was hurt. Waves of bombers continued to come over until mid-day, but they remained at a high level and no more direct hits were scored, although there were some near misses. The ship arrived at Batavia on February 13, where the Squadron personnel disembarked. During the next two or three days, preparations were made to lit tne Squadron’s aircraft for operations, and by February 18 patrols were being carried out. Four days later the Squadron was instructed to move to Australia, the aircraft being handed over to another unit. Some of the New Zealand pilots remained to assist in the defence of Java, and news of these men is still awaited. Unfortunately, it now appears that they haw been captured. On February 23 the Squadron sailed for Australia, arriving on March 2, After three weeks in Australia, the Squadron returned to New Zealand. “This account,” said Mr Jones, “must necessarily leave unsaid many details of the New Zealand Fighter Squadron’s activities, and I regret it is not possible to record at the present time the individual deeds of members of the Squadron, who contributed to its

gallant record. The officers in charge, the fighter pilots, the engineer officers, the administrative and equipment officers, and the ground staff, did a grand job of work under difficult conditions and in the face of the heaviest enemy opposition. At all times they carried out their duties with devotion and determination and worthily upheld the tradition of the New Zealand air squadrons overseas. We are proud of them, and arc thankful that so many have returned to bring the benefit of their knowledge and experience back to New Zealand.”