FIFTEEN VICTIMS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 229, 27 September 1941, Page 1 (Supplement)

FIFTEEN VICTIMS

Night Fighter Pilot Wins D.C.M. And Bar POWERFUL NEW R.A.F. PLANE Brltiah Official Wireless. Rec. 5 p.m. RUGBY, Sept. 26. A pilot-officer, Cecil Rawnsley, who has helped to destroy 15 night raiders, was decorated with the D.C.M. and Bar by the King at Buckingham Palace to-day. The Beaufighter, Britain's latest twin-engined fighter, with four cannons and six machine-guns, has for some months been a valuable part of the striking force of the R.A.F. Coastal Command, says the Air Ministry. The most spectacular success of the Coastal Command Beaufighter in a single combat was when one intercepted a big Fc/kkerWolfe Condor enemy raider, apparently waiting for a convoy. The fight lasted for two seconds. The- Beaufighter's pilot opened the combat with a short burst, and before he could take his finger off the gun button the Fokker-Wolfe had disappeared. AID TO RUSSIA British Official Wireless. Rec. 5.30 p.m. RUGBY, Sept. 26. An Ait-- Ministry communique states that reports from the Russianfront show that R.A.F. fighters continue to escort Russian bombers on offensive operations. R.A.F. fighters in Russia shot down two more Messerschmitts 109's without loss to themselves.