N.Z. SERGEANTS SHOOT DOWN NAZI FIGHTERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 242, 13 October 1942, Page 3

N.Z. SERGEANTS SHOOT DOWN NAZI FIGHTERS

NIGHT COMBATS

Squadron's Fine Record In Raids On Germany

United Press Association—Copyright Rec. 2 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 12

Osnabruck, Aachen, Kassel and Krefeld are among the targets recently bombed by the 75th (New Zealand) Squadron. The casualties have been few since the raid against Hamburg, when they were fairly heavy.

The High Commissioner, Mr. W. J. Jordan, visiting the squadron, learned that German night fighters are providing increasing opposition, but Flight-Sergeant R. C. Reynolds, of Lower Hutt, and Sergeant Bruce Philip, of Amberley, each shot down a Junkers 88, while Flight-Sergeant K. A. Crankshaw, Greymouth, and Sergeant B. Neal, North Auckland, are among the New Zealanders who have taken a "bang" at enemy night fighters.

Moonlight Dogfight

Sergeant Philip, who is a rear gunner, said: "On the Bremen 1000bomber raid, in bright moonlight and the 'glare of the Northern Lights, 1 spotted a Junkers coming out of the Northern Lights and told the pilot to dive to port into a dark patch, bringing us below the Junkers, which was in the moonlight. I opened up when he was 200 yards away. He returned my fire with two cannon and four machineguns. After I had fired 1000 rounds we fell away on the starboard wing. I saw him silhouetted in the moonlight with the port engine afire. Later I learned that an Australian pilot officer saw him crash."

Flight-Sergeant Reynolds was in an all-New Zealand crew, which has completed its operational tour. The others were Flight-Sergeants J. L. Wright (Hamilton), C. W. B. Kelly (Christchurch), M. A. Carter (Hastings), and also Sergeant Neal. They had painted on their Wellington a grinning Donald Duck coming out of an egg shell. Sergeant Philip was in a crew with Sergeants W. Gordon (Kaiapoi) and A. Drew (Auckland). They also have finished operations, as have Sergeant H. V. Allen (Christchurch), Flight-Sergeant Sutherland (InvercargilH. Pilot-Officers E. A. Letchford 'PictonV and L. Chambers (Westport). Tl-.J .squadron s present "oldest inhabitant is PilotOfficer W. G. Home (Masterton), who has nearly completed operations.

Newcomers to Squadron

' Recent newcomers to the squadron include Pilot-Officer G. H. Jacobson, Akaroa, who has carried out nine raids. He was shot up over Duisberg on his third raid, when he was held by searchlights for half an hour. The aircraft was severely damaged. It flew over the Dutch coast in daylight but returned safely.

Another all-New Zealand crew comprised Pilot-Officers L- G. Trott (Otorohanga), W. J. R. Scollay (Wellington) and D. L Poppelwell (Gore) and Sergeants M. Manawaiti (Timaru) and H. Hamerton (New Plymouth). They have completed half their operational tour. During the recent heavy raid over Bremen Pilot-Officer Trott levelled out his aircraft preparatory to bombing and photographing, whe© flak rocked his Wellington, surrounding it with cordite smoke. They bombed and then dived to port at over 400 miles an hour. Both engines were cutting out when he pulled out of the dive. The aileron trimming and tabs were jammed, making the aircraft almost uncontrollable, but he managed by holding the stick right over.

Others at present with the squadron include Flying-Officer F. J. Chunn, Te Awamutu; Pilot-Officers B. F. Downes, Dunedin; E. L. Haydon, Palmertson North; F. C. Ormerod, Gisborne; Sergeants C. R. Davey. Dargaville; E. G. Firth, E. Worsdale, H. R. Welch, A. Scott, M. T. Parata, J. S. Voice, V. A. O. Dimock, K. H. Yeoman, E. A. Garty and I. C. H- Sullivan, Wellington; H. J. Hugill, E. W. Harvey, D. Wellington, R. H. J. Broady, B. A. Franklin, R. L. A. McFarland, D. Clearwater and E. L. D. Ashwin, Auckland; J. G. Barnes, J. A. McConnell and W. J. Barclay, Dunedin; L. H. Parkinson, Opotiki; V. Watters, Whangarei; R. J. Carter, Taumarunui; F. W. Marshall, Tauranga; C. J. Shalfoon, Opotiki; W. J. H. Berriman. New Plymouth; W. A. M. Hardy, Wanganui; H. R. Manerton, Pa tea.

Mr. Jordan also visited Ely I Hospital, where there are several New Zealanders.