N.Z. AIRMEN IN DESERT

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23717, 15 August 1942, Page 4

N.Z. AIRMEN IN DESERT

SOME IN ALMOST EVERY SQUADRON (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, August 13. Everyone calls them Kiwis, those New Zealanders in the Royal Air Force in the Middle East. Practically every squadron, including South African units, supporting the Bth Army has one or two New Zealanders. One Hurricane bomber squadron I have seen operating is commanded by Squadron Leader J. C. Hayter, d’Urville Island, who fought in France and in the Battle of Britain. He has been flying in the desert for three months. His squadron, including Australians, Canadians, Americans, and Rhodesians, has blitzed many enemy positions and has also acted as a normal fighter squadron. A nearby Hurricane fighter squadron includes Pilot Officer J. S. Hepburn, of Ashburton, who flew in Canada, Iceland; England, Ireland, Gold Coast, Cyprus, Syria, and Palestine before flying in the desert, and Sergeant K. G. Allington, who has been flying fighters since the retreat from Gambut. The envy of all others is one Spitfire squadron which includes Sergeant Denny Burman, Invercargill. The squadron provided the top cover for Royal Air Force operations in this campaign. Among the hardest working squadrons is the naval Albacore squadron. Sub-Lieutenant Sandy Brunt, Christchurch, has gone on 32 sorties since Tobruk fell, including minelaying and land bombing. The most frequent target lately has been Mersa Matruh, the best defended enemy port. Sleep all morning and bomb every night has been the programme for many weeks.