DID THEIR SHARE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 70, 23 March 1940, Page 9

DID THEIR SHARE.

NEW ZEALAND PILOTS,

Many Take Part In Daring Raid On Sylt. FIERCE OPPOSITION. United Press Association.—Copyright, LOXDOX, March 22. It is slated that 35 per cent of the pilots and crews engaged in the raid on Sylt were New Zealanders and Australians. A further 15 per cent were from other Dominions. Thus, so far, this is the largest Dominions representation in Royal Air Force operations. The crew of one bomber comprised n. Canadian pilot, a New Zealand second pilot, an Irish wireless operator and an English gunner. One New Zealandcr engaged in the raid was Pilot-Officer Tony Lnxmorc, of Feilding. The New Zealanders and Australians concentrated on the base nt Hornuni. They averaged six hours' (lying during the'raid. They first flew over northwest Germany, 'to make doubly certain of the location of their military objective, whereupon they gave tho German base "all they had" before returning homo according to schedule.

"Just like Bedlam let loose," was the description given by a 22-year-old New Zealand airman to "the scene during the raid on Sylt. A dozen searchlights caught one machine, flown by a sergeantpilot from Lancashire, who said: "The searchlights got us as I released the bombs, "it was a big disappointment not to see the explosion, because we had to get into the clouds quickly." Direct Hits on Hangars. First-hand accounts of the raid fully substantiate the earlier reports of extensive damage inflicted upon Uie Hornum seaplane base, says the British Oflicial Wireless. They also confirm reports that the British attack met with almost incessant opposition from the strong ground defence system. "Xot once during the lo minutes wo were crossing over Sylt were we given even a few seconds' rest from antiaircraft fire or searchlights," said the captain of one aircraft. "We were being closely followed by a trail of pom-pom shells. "Our first bomb hit the ground near a slipway. Three others, according to the pilot of the aircraft close behind, registered direct hits on hangars." "When we arrived over the island there was quite a nice little fire going, and we made straight for it," said the pilot of another machine. "Wc were being shot at all the time. Our bombs • fell on a large hangar. After dropping our bombs and turning away, we saw n huge fire blazing, which had not been there when wc arrived. "Anti-aircraft fire was heavy. It, included flaming onions. It was the time I had encountered them. It was curiously fascinating to see how slowly they seemed to approach. Luckily th-.-ir slowness gave us plenty of time to get out of the way." Many Fires Seen. The captain of another aircraft said that after dropping his bombs on a barracks block and seeing portion of •ho building go up in flames, he flew on lfl'.l miles to completq another task. On the way back to his base lie decided to take another look at Sylt. He was gratified to see his particular fire still blazing away, though now accompanied by others of varying intensity. Tho crew of another aircraft reported seeing tho walls of a hangar reflecting a fire caused by their bombs. After unloading one heavy bomb, njliich hit a seaplane slipway, they narrowly escaped a barrage of about 60 flaming onions. As soon as the last British bombers lauded back in England the following morning, two aircraft took off on reconnaissance to view the extent of Iho damage on the seaplane base at Hornum. There were patches of cloud over the island, but the sky was fairly clear over Hornum. Fire from shore batteries followed the aircraft as they flew over the island, and in certain areas it was intense. Two enemy Mcsserschmitt fighters were also encountered, but were unable to intercept the British aircraft, which made observations confirming the success of tho operation, and returned safely to their bases. Danish Protest. According to a message from Copcn- ; hagcu the Danish Minister t" London has -been instructed to protest to Britain that the Royal Air Force violated Danish territory during the raid on Sylt. It is officially stated in London, however, that there is no confirmation of n protest, states the British official wireless. Referring to German reports that some British aircraft dropped bombs on the Danish seaboard, the British official wireless sjid that should official intimation be received, and should it be proved tlint British aircraft was responsible it m:.. . confidently be assumed that Britain will ; not onlv express deep regret, nut also • undertake full responsibility for com- ' pensation for any damage caused. Three members of the Hoyol Air Force who took part ill the raid on Svlt were decorated last night for gallantry. They were Squadron-leader W. U M. Turner and nctiiig-Hight-Liou-tciiant J. .1. Bennett, who received the. Distinguished Flying Cross, and Serjeant J. L. Fletcher, who received the Distinguished Flying Medal. COMMANDERS APPOINTED. AUSTRALIAN DIVISIONS. (Itccclved 10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. Mujor-Gehcrul Ivan G. Mackay, commander of the second division of the. militia, Xcw South Wales, and Lieuten-ant-General .1. 11. Lavavack, both officers in tho Southern Command, have 'been appointed commanders of the sixth and seventh divisions of the Second A.I.F. "NOT ALL THEIR OWN WAY" i GERMANS IN RUMANIA. I.OXDOX. March 22. 1 111 an allusion to Rumania the Unders Secrelarv of Foreign Affair.-. Mr. 15. -*• '. Butler, said in the House of Common- :, VCitcrdav that he would like to assure 'the House that the Germans were not s getting all their own way in that part 'M of the world. .

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