BOMBING GERMANS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 70, 2 January 1943, Page 4

BOMBING GERMANS.

NEW ZEALANDERS’ EXPERIENCE.

FLIGHT FROM EL ALAMEIN. (Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 1. Satisfaction at the “handing out” to the Germans of a taste of what they gave the New Zealanders in Greece and Crete, was expressed by flying officers Basil Gray (Waverley) and Robert T. Fleming (Opotiki), . who were among the many New Zealanders who were bombing Marshal Rommel’s army in its flight from El Alamein. Gray and Fleming went to. Egypt last -May, Fleming flying out an all-New Zealand crew comprising Pilot G. Rigg (Masterton), M, R. Breed. (Wanganui), Sergeants A. Batty (Auckland),' R. Beatson (Auckland), and H. Stevens (Wellington), who later flew in other crews. Gray flew out with Pilot Officer N. Spence (Christchurch), Sergeants R. Wyn yard (Kawhia) and C. Piper (Christchurch). Spence and Piper are now reported missing, and Stevens is reported killed, but the others mentioned «re expected in England shortly.

Gray and Fleming carried out 44 raids each. Gray said: “We started operations during the battle of Bii' Haeheio, when we bombed aerodromes round El Baba, then during the retreat strafed the Germans and also bombed more aerodromes. When the El Alamein front was established Tobruk became our chief target. It was reported to be the best defended area in the world at that period. They were all lively raids. My aircraft once turned upside down when I was caught by a searchlight while weaving, and a burst of ‘flak’ exploded right under the starboard wing. We were at 8000 feet. the instruments were put out of action as a result. 1 could only tell when we were right side up when the searchlights shone from below instead of above —there was no horizon visable. Wynyard had an unpleasant moment when we somersaulted. An incendiary bomb which was used to light up the desert r for estimating windrift dropped in the dome, carrying it away, with the re suit that Wynyard’s head poked through the hatch while standing upside down and the slipstream ripped off his hemlmet. He was not, hurt. 1 righted the aircraft at 4000 feet.” Fleming said: “I carried out 23 raids over Tobruk. I never found a spot where I could run in and dodge the defenders, but our greatest satisfaction, especially after seeing the Bth Army in retreat, was' .assisting its advance. After the first day we had too opposition, which gave us an open Season .for strafing the retreating ‘Huns/ We were able to drop, bombs singly wherever we desired.”