R.A.F. OFFENSIVE AGAINST NAZIS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23625, 30 April 1942, Page 5

R.A.F. OFFENSIVE AGAINST NAZIS

Part Played by New Zealanders FIGHTER AND BOMBER PILOTS (Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Received April 30, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON. April 28, The New Zealand Spitfire and bomber squadrons are taking their full share in the air offensive against the Nazis. The Spitfire squadron was recently involved in one of the most remarkable dogfights of the war when 12 of them were attacked by 52 Focke Wulfs 190’s. Although outnumbered by four to one, the New Zealanders lost only three Spitfires, from which two pilots bailed out. They accounted for one probable Focke Wulf. They had previously shot down four Nazis. The bombers have raided Rostock three times and Cologne twice. They celebrated Anzac Day by raiding Rostock for the third time. The Spitfires were acting as top cover lor Boston bombers'when 52 Focke Wulfs pounced on them, 12 attacking from above and 20 from each side. The sky immediately became an arena of milling, death-spitting aircraft as the New Zealand Squadron fought for its very life while attempting to keep off the Nazis from the bombers below.

All the pilots had exciting experiences, 'to say the least, but few had a hotter time than Squadron Leader E. P. Wells and Pilot Officer L. M. Ralph, of Takapuna. They got separated from their Squadron, so set off for England, whereupon eight Focke Wulfs sighted them and swept down with their cannons blazing. Squadron Leader Wells and Pilot Officer Ralph turned time and tone again to meet them head-on. They would get a Nazi in their sights for a brief second and would “squirt their cannons and would then have to dive to escape a Hun on their tails. All this time they were nearing the French coast. ‘ „ Pilot Officer Ralph, in spite of five cannon shells in his aeroplane, managed to escape to England. Squadron Leader Wells eventually managed to disengage and also arrived at his base. His Spitfire was not scratched. When Pilot Officer Ralph landed it was found that one of the cannon shells had hit the fuselage and also the airscrew, while both wings were pierced. He was only slightly injured. _ Meanwhile, Flying Officer J. G. Pattison, of Waipawa, spent an hour and a half in a dinghy in the Channel before being picked up. When it was suggested that Flying Officer Pattison should take a week s leave he replied that 48 hours would do. He was ready for another sweep the name afternoon. Squadron Leader’s Praise Every pilot fired his cannon during the dogfight, but had little time to see the results, although Pilot Officer F. D. Mackie, of Waihi, is credited' with a probable. Squadron Leader Wells has now carried out 100 fighter sweeps. He recently led an entire wing on 25 sorties. Commenting on the present offensive he said; “The boys are standing up to it marvellously. You can never get the New Zealand boys down in the mouth, however hard the pressure.”

The Bomber Squadron meanwhile has fully shared the Bomber Command’s offensive. In addition to Rostock, where the Royal Air Force dropped 600 tons of bombs, the squadron has been to Cologne twice. The squadron is known in its group as “bellycrawlers” because of the low altitude from which its bombs were dropped. It upheld this reputation in the latest Cologne raid. From all five raids all the aircraft returned, but some members of the crew were casualties. A pilot officer from Wellington returned badly wounded, and died. Flight Sergeant I. J. McLachlan, of Masterton, did an outstanding flight after he was attacked by night fighters. His pilot was killed, his reargunner injured, and the aircraft badly damaged, but he got his aeroplane safely home, and then made an excellent belly-landing.

MR WINANT RETURNING TO LONDON

WASHINGTON, April 28. The United States Ambassador to London, Mr John G. Winant, yesterday paid a farewell call on Mr Roosevelt in Washington. He indicated that he would carry a message from Mr Roosevelt to Mr Churchill. Mr Winant will travel to London by Clipper shortly. Mrs Winant will accompany him.