BOMBING OF RUHR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 76, 31 March 1945, Page 10

BOMBING OF RUHR

SAW COUSIN SHOT DOWN

PILOT'S EXPERIENCE

R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service LONDON. March 26. To see his cousin shot down and himself attacked by eight FockeWulf 190's was the experience ot Flight-Lieutenant G. Bale, D.F.C., of Palmerston North, on a recent bombing operation in the Ruhr area. His relative was Flying-Officer R. A. Kennedy, of Thames, who had been with him in the same squadron for a considerable time. Flying-Officer Kennedy has now been posted m "We had just- been in for the attack when I saw a force of about 50 aircraft," Flight-Lieutenant Bale stated. "Eight peeled off to engage us and my gunners went into action. The mid-upper gunner shot down two and a third was accounted for by the rear gunner. They did a wonderful job and undoubtedly saved our lives. I saw my cousin, who was the pilot of another Lancaster, just as we were being attacked. His aircraft had been badly damaged and later appeared to. spin earthward. I did not see the crew "We struggled on with our own tail surface shot away and after about 40 minutes the fuel tanks, which were punctured, became almost empty. I looked around for a suitable place and landed in a small area some miles north of Bruyels.. Fortunately, the wheels of the aircraft had not been damaged." Another New Zealander with the crew was Flying-Officer S. E. Franklin of Wellington, wireless operator. For his work, Flight-Lieutenant Bale received the immediate award of the Distinguished; Flying Cross. His two gunners gained the immediate award of the. Distinguished Flying Medal.