N.Z. SUCCESS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 169, 19 July 1943, Page 3

N.Z. SUCCESS

SPITFIRE SQUADRON Several Aucklanders Based On Biggin Hill N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, July 18. The New Zealand Spitfire Squadron operating from Biggin Hill opened its account when it shot down two Focke-Wulf 190's while escorting bombers raiding Poix, in Northern France. The two enemy planes were shot down by the commanding officer, Squadron-Leader John Checketts, of Invercargill, and Flying-Officer J. Rae, D.F.C., of Auckland, who probably destroyed another. Pilot-Officer H. S. Tucker, of Palmerston North, also probably destroyed one. On the previous day, Wing-Com-mander Alan Deere, D.5.0., D.F.C. and bar, probably destroyed a FockeWulf and Squadron-Leader Checketts damaged another. Squadron-Leader Checketts shot down his Focke-Wulf when about 20 enemy aircraft attacked. He was then attacked by four enemy planes, which chased him to a height of 20,000 ft until a Fighting French squadron, which flies in the same wing as the New Zealanders, arrived. This brings SquadronLeader Checkett's score to four of the enemy destroyed. Meanwhile Flying - Officer Rae, with Flight-Lieutenant Barnett, of Wellington, and Pilot-Officer Tucker, was surrounded by Focke-Wulfs and dog-fighting developed. Flying-Offi-cer Rae dived down from 20,000 ft to 12,000 ft after a solitary Focke-Wulf, which he finished off. This was Flying-Officer Rae's first fight since returning from Malta. His score is now seven and a half enemy planes destroyed. The squadron's score is now 43 enemy planes destroyed. It has settled down well in its new role, and Squadron-Leader Checketts led the wing twice while Wing-Com-mander Deere was carrying out the duties of station commander.

New Zealanders in the Spitfire Squadron, in addition to those mentioned, include Flight-Lieutenant K. C. Lee, of Auckland, Flying-Officers D. G. E. Brown and P. H. Gaskin, of Auckland, Warrant-Officer E. N. Leech, of Gisborne, and Flight-Ser-geants N. E. Frehner, of Gisborne, and C. Mclnnes, of Auckland. NAURU BOMBED American Catalina Patrol Attacks Island JAPS RAID GU ADALCAN AR British Official Wireless Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, July 18. The United States Navy Department says that on Friday night a Navy Catalina patrol of bombers attacked enemy positions on Nauru Island and started numerous fires. All the United States planes returned undamaged. On the same night enemy bombers attacked Guadalcanal*. Casualties were caused to personnel and light damage was done to installations. Bombs were also dropped on Savo Island, where no damage was done. JAPS. IN AMERICA Question Of Drafting For Army Service "SCREENING OUT BAD ONES" Rec. 1.30 WASHINGTON, July 18. The Senate Military Affairs Committee revealed that there were more than 7500 Japanese in the United States. The Army Committee recommended that naturalised Japanese should be drafted like other Americans. , The army spokesman was quoted as saying that he would like to use them as a soldiers' committee. He pointed out that the War Department had methods for "screening out bad ones." Other recommendations were that disloyal Japanese should be placed in internment camps, that loyal Japanese be allowed to work under supervision; that the F. 8.1., the Justice Department, the army and the navy take the responsibility for determining the loyalty of Japanese. TO VISIT BRITAIN COMMERCE CHAMBER LEADER British Official Wireless Rec. 11.30 a.m. RUGBY, July 18. Mr. Eric A. Johnston, president of the United States Chamber of Commerce, has accepted an invitation

CHEERS FOR BRITISH ANTI-AIRCRAFT MEN IN U.S.A. Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY, July 18. Thousands lined the streets of a city in North Carolina, U.S.A., to cheer British anti-aircraft gunners of the Anti-Aircraft Command in a demonstration of a battery on their first visit to America. The battery consists of 17 officers and 320 men, all of whom are antiaircraft gunners and experts in radio location, work with searchlights and light and heavy guns. FRANCO TO DECIDE RESTORATION OF MONARCHY Rec. 12.30 p.m. MADRID, July 17. "I don't oppose the possibility qf restoration of the Monarchy, but the Monarchy question shall never serve as a tool for foreign propaganda," declared General Franco in a speech. He added that he conceived the return of the Monarchy at the moment that he decided would be propitious. General. Franco did not refer to the war.