SENTRY BLUFFED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1940, Page 6

SENTRY BLUFFED.

R.A.F. MEN ESCAPED.

HID IN DUTCH CELLAR.

SAVED BT NOTfCHAXANCE.

LONDON, May 21

A 24-year-old R.A.F. pilot and an aircraftsman were fleeing from enemy territory by night—their 'plane had been forced down—when a challenge rang out. A German eentry had heard them; it seemed "all up." But the pilot coolly lit a cigar . . . the eentry was bluffed . . . the two airmen slipped away. The pilot officer is Alexander Macleod, of Glasgow, hie companion, Leading Aircraftsman Cox. Dog Figfct. They reached home yesterday, and Pilot-Officer Macleod told their story:— "Wβ hod been patrolling off the coast of Holland," he said, "wh«n our squad* ron was attacked by Junkers and Mes. sereohmitts. "A dog fight followed; seven Nazi machine* were brought down, then my 'plane ran out of ammunition. "I had to land—with both tanks ablaze—near a Dutch village. Oox and I jumped clear. "Wβ made for a house, and as we were drinking a cup of coffee a German armoured ear came into the village. We retreated into a cellar. Four-hour Search. "Almost immediately German soldiens stamped into the houee and began a thorough search. They were looking for us, all right. "That search lasted four hours, and through the cellar grille we could see them inthe adjoining courtyard. "At last they went away. We decided to make for Antwerp, a>bout 30 miles away, "It seemed ae if our number was up when we came across a river. About 300 yards from the bridge a. German sentry shouted a challenge. "Pretending not to hear, we sat down near the river bank. "To heighten the atmosphere of nonchalance, which we were desperately anxious to create, I pulled a cigar from my pocket and began emoking. His Comment. "That seemed to satisfy him." Pilot-Officer Macleod and his companion got across the river and eventually reached Antwerp. A destroyer brought them to Britain.

When the pilot knocked at the door of his parents' home in Croftwood Avenue, Glasgow, yesterday, he greeted hie mother with a wide grin and the simple comment . . . 'Tlere I am, mother."