THE BIG RAIDS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 133, 8 June 1942, Page 3

THE BIG RAIDS

THERE AND BACK

N.Z. SQUADRON'S PART

(Special Correspondent) United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, June 7. The Bomber Command is working up a great offensive against Germany and the New Zealand Squadron is taking a full part, having operated on five successive nights, including both the 1000-plane raids against Cologne and Essen with the loss of only one crew. Air crews and ground crews stood up to the strain magnificently; in fact, the 1000-plane raids put their tails right up. Mr. W. .T. Jordan, High Commissioner, saw something of the squadron's typical day when he watched it take off for Essen for the third time running, then after the raid he chatted with the crews, all of whom returned. Air crews reported at 10 a.m. and heard the ground crews' comments on their aircraft. Then each member of the crews checked up his instruments before taking off for a half-hour test flight. After lunch they met Mr. Jordan outside the crew rooms and chatted for an hour before being "briefed" when many sat in their shirt-sleeves while Wing-Commander E. G. Olson gave instructions.

He sat informally on a table on which were pined big photographs and a map of the Ruhr Valley. His jacket was unbuttoned and he was swinging one leg. Mr. Jordan sat on a tall bench, his legs dangling comfortably. Been to Essen So Often Wing-Commander Olson said: "Well, bovs, it isvEssen again, but you have been there so often recently that briefing is almost a waste of time." The New Zealanders heard the directions for the route, approach to the target, and the weather, and tasked a few questions. Wing-Commander Olson asked Mr. Jordan to speak, which he did briefly. "You boys are doing a big job. It is a great privilege to be able to see you. Good luck," said the High Commissioner. The crews drew their flight rations in big brown paper bags. They included orange juice for each man, barley sugar, biscuits, cheese, chocolate and chewing gum. The crews then went to their mess and worked out the routes while some slipped off on bicycles for a dip nearby, taking a small bottle of beer, which they dangled in the water for cooling while they were swimming. They rested after dinner in the mess or rooms, and then, after "operational supper," including a valued egg, the airmen retired to the crew room in twos and threes to "kit up" "wise-cracking" the while. Nearly every man took a mascot; for instance, tiki charms in their scarves. One wore a torn and tattered flying suit which had seen him through nearly 40 raids. It has a skull and cross bones drawn over one pocket and the shamrock over the other. Leader's Cheery Send-off Each crew clambered into their "bus and drove off unceremoniously in their aircraft. Wing-Commander Olson and Mr. Jordan slipped into a car and went to an aircraft, where the former spoke a few last words, invariably ending up: "Okay. Well, £ave a good trip. See you in the

morning." To one freshman making his first raid, "Erijoy yourself," called the Wing-Commander.

One by one the aircraft warmed up, the engines shattering the still evening air and drowning the larks, which were singing happily in the dusk. Wing-Commander Olson and Mr. Jordan drove to the head of the flare path, where control officers flashed a green lamp, when it was time for succeeding aircraft to take off. It was an impressive and thrilling sight to see the dark shapes of Wellington bombers queueing up. green lights shining over the tails, and red and green lights on either wingtip.

When the controls winked a green lamp to the aircraft at the head of the line, there came an answering wink, then a Wellington lumbered up, swung round, paused, and then the engines bellowed with life and-the aircraft began moving slowly, then bumpily as it gathered speed, then with the tail up slid into the darkness, lifted gracefully into the air and disappeared. Occasionally there was heard a sharp "brruupp," as gunners tested their guns. Bomber After Bomber Takes Off And so bomber after bomber took off until all the squadron was in the air and silence descended on the aerodrome, now hushed even of the larks' songs. "Well, there will be trouble on the way for the Huns," said' Wing-Commander Olson as he returned to headquarters with Mr. Jordan. And the unspoken thought in all minds was "Will they all come back." The Wing-Commander continued his station duties through the raid's long hours, and Mr. Jordan went to bed for a brief nap, until Wing-Com-mander Olson called when dawn was painting the horizon with slender grey fingers of light. They went to headquarters and then heard the bombers' welcome rumbling. Soon the first crews came in to the briefing room for interrogation, and the news spread that all aircraft were safe. Crew after crew streamed in and received coffee,' sandwiches, and cigarettes form the efficient W.A.A.F.'s. Talk flowed as easily and readily as the coffee. It had been- a fairly quiet trip.. Some crews had glimpsed German night fighters —for which there is the greatest respect. Experiences on the Raid Others were held by great cones of searchlights surrounding Essen. The pilot of one aircraft had his eyes injured by flying perspex when flak splinters damaged the cockpit hood. "1 though I had got all the Ruhr in my eye. I couldn't see for a time," he remarked. The medical officer immediately giving attention confirmed that the eyes were not damaged, but were sore and bloodshot. "As sore as hell," was the description. One front gunner was hit on the wrist by flak, but,, fortunately' it struck his identity disk, which possibly saved him losing his hand. Some of the crews saw two aircraft shot down in flames under them. It was now daylight and Mr. Jordan saw the crews, both in the officers' and sergeants' messes breakfasting, including another "operational egg" and then remained chatting with the padre until his own breakfast was ready. Meanwhile the tired crews slept and ground crews began overhauling the aircraft, and somewhere in the Bomber Command Headquarters plans were being\ drawn up for the squadron's next raid. May it always have such a "good trip "