DIVE-BOMBER SHOT DOWN

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23361, 21 June 1941, Page 11

DIVE-BOMBER SHOT DOWN

N.Z. CAVALRY IN GREECE

ADVENTURES DURING RETREAT

(N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, May 26. They shot down a German divebomber, and they did it while surrounded in a horse-shoe formation. Not only did they watch the aeroplane crash in a field about 30 yards from the road, but they photographed it as it burst into .flames a few seconds after it struck.

This was the highlight of an adventurous journey of a New Zealand Divisional Cavalry patrol during the withdrawal from Greece in April. The members of this patrol were among the first New Zealanders to contact the enemy,, near tjie Aliakmon river, and they were one of the last patrols to leave Athens a few hours ahead of the advancing Germans. The Divisional Cavalry first mada actual contact with the Germans near the Aliakmon river, where two cavalry fighting patrols were stationed. On the afternoon of April 12 enemy motor-cyclists, with side-cars attached, were seen to emerge from the village of Gida. They were met by machinegun fire, and immediately turned about and made for cover, but not before two of their number had been hit. They were seen to fall from their motor-cycles and were afterwards pulled to the side of the road by their comrades. Effective Artillery As dusk was approaching an enemy reconnaissance patrol made its way to a bridge nearby keeping well under cover. New Zealand artillery, stationed behind the Divisional Cavalry, came into action at a long range. Their first ranging shot went wide, but no sooner had the noise of the first shell died away than the screaming of a second one passing overhead was heard. This time it- found its mark, scoring a direct hit on the side of the road where the enemy had massed, and evidently causing a number of casualties. These two shells and the gathering dusk 'curtailed enemy Operations. Enemy transport could be clearly heard in a nearby village all night, and in the morning the artillery opened up on it and some direct hits were scored. A number of shells were seen to burst among a large concentration of troops. The enemy were attempting to repair a bridge which had been blown up, but a shell dropped among them put an end to that- for a time. For some time Brfen carrier troops prevented the Germans from launching pontoons, but were later so heavily shelled by enemy artillery that their position became untenable. During the day German shells fell all round the cavalry unit and in the villages and an orphanage close by. The. orphanage, and a village which could be clearly seen, were soon reduced to ruins, and the screams of the inhabitants could be-plainly heard. The order came to retire, and from then on the skies were watched constantly for bombers which kept up a steady strafing. Dive-Bomber Shot Down On the day that the patrol shot down the German bomber they had come out of a town with five armoured cars and two Bren-gun carriers to await more carriers which were retiring from the Servia Pass. German dive-bombers, which had been flying across for some time swooped down upon them. A trooper and a corporal, who together brought back an mterest-< 'ing series of photographs _ told how every gunner was pouring tracer bullets at the bombers. “German infantry were under cover in a horseshoe formation about us, the trooper said, “and they were throwing grenades and sniping. The aeroplarie, which we brought down, having dropped its load of screaming bombs, appeared to continue its dive straight at us, and then sweryed slightly to our left and crashed about 30 yards on the road. It burst into flames, and for a moment one of the crew was seen to struggle, but it was impossible to aid him. Through the poplars thA German infantry saw the downfall of their own aeroplane.” t . ■ .. The other carriers, after running the gauntlet through Elasson, arrived, and the patrol successfully retired. Refugees on Roads These men will not easily forget the pitiful scenes of refugees ' struggling along the bomb-pitted - roads, fhey were for the most part women and children, and it was no unusual sight to see elderly women staggering under heavy loads. They were bombed and machine-gunned mercilessly, and the soldiers said they appeared to be . bewildered. It was impossible for the New Zealand boys to give therm very much heip, but what they could do they did gladly. . . .. Our men were impressed by the simplicity and sincerity of the beliefs of these peasants, as well as by their kindness and friendliness towards the soldiers. Some of the men who stayed nights in Greek cottages said that they were spotlessly clean, and that the Greeks could not do enough for them, although they could converse in many cases, only by signs. Describing their withdrawal from Athens, members of a Divisional Cavalry patrol said that on tho last night there they were sent out on a patrol to contact the enemy, who was reported to be close toi'the city. They saw no Germans, though, and later carried but fmtrol work in the city and suburbs. The people were very friendly towards them, and appeared to think that the national sign of the New Zealander was “thumbs up. ’ As they left the city after dark they were cheered by throngs of people, and as they passed beer gardens and cafes the occupants rose in a body to toast them. It moved the soldiers to see women weeping, not for themselves, but for the' boys who had fought so well. They were sorry to leave Athens —it seemed like leaving old friends. Before the next dawn the swastika flew from the Acropolis.