WANGANUI PILOT

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 4, 4 July 1940, Page 13

WANGANUI PILOT

DOWN IN BELGIUM

ESCAPE THROUGH DUNKIRK

THE RAIN OF BOMBS

(By Air Mall—From "The Post's" London Representative.)

LONDON, June 7,

The story of how he crashed in his Spitfire after being shot down near Nieuport, and evtntually returned to England was told by Flight Lieutenant A. C. Deere, Wanganui, on his arrival.

"While on patrol over the Belgian I coast with my. squadron of Spitfires," he said, "we sighted some Dornier 17 bombers, which we attacked. I positioned myself behind one, but aifter firing my ammunition I was hit badly In the engine. It caught fire immediately, but I landed on the beach—or, rather, crashed near Nieuport—and was fortunate to escape with slight head injuries. "After completely destroying my machine, I found my way to a village called Oostdunkerke, where I had my head dressed by a waitress. She spoke perfect English. I inquired for British and French troops, but I could get no satisfaction from Belgian soldiers, so I set off along the beach to Ostend with the intention of catching a boat back to England. FIRED AT BY BELGIANS. "I found this unsafe as on two or three occasions I was "lred at, without warning, by Belgian soldiers who were hiding behind various sand dunes. I made my way inland to the main road and managed to get a lift on a Belgian troop bus to Nieuport. "Then I met a corporal in the 8.E.F., with' the remains of his company—himself and three privates. He was trying to get to Dunkirk, which was safer than Ostend, which was surrounded by Germans. "On his advice, I changed my plans and decided to make for Dunkirk too. Outside* Nieuport I found lots of deserted cars and helped myself to the best I could find. I had been unable to get either food or water the whole time in Belgium. This car took me for a few miles and then ran out of petrol. "Another was soon forthcoming, 3f there were dozens to be had. I think the signposts showing Dunkirk must have been moved to mislead parachutists because I found myself lost. Eventually I got on the right road, mounted, on an Army dispatch cycle. Ten miles outside Dunkirk there was complete chaos—retreating Belgian and B.E.F. troops, discarded mechanised units of tanks and various Army vehicles, burning houses, huge bomb craters, and refugees with their belongings, or what was left of them. Air were moving towards the coast. REFUGE IN DITCHES. Heavy bombing made me spend many hours in ditches and any shelter I could find. The Huns were bombing, not with the. intention- of hitting any particular object, but just for effect. German bombs make a terrific whistling noise, like shells,.and always give the impression that they are about to land on your head. "I had to walk, as the outskirts of Dunkirk were congested with cars and troops, all in retreat. Dunkirk itself was just a town of fires and fallen buildings. ( "Finally I reached the beach and saw ! about 12,000 tired and thirsty B.E.F. troops, some of whom had had no water for 48 hours. The Huns were still bombing, and British fighters, although heavily outnumbered, appeared to 'be taking heavy toll. "I saw some wonderful dogfights" and watched .two or three M.E. 109's on their way to a watery grave. "After three hours on the beach I got on board a destroyer, carrying about 1000 troops and 40 officers. I thought my troubles were over, but we had- no sooner pulled out than we were attacked by a Heinkel bomber. It was brilliantly shot down by the naval gunners. BOMBED FOR TWO HOURS. "All was quiet for the first halfhour. Then nine Junkers 88's appeared and bombed us relentlessly for about two hours. Due to wonderful seamanship and .expert gunnery we escaped with one slight hit, which alone .was terrifying, as it put all the lights out and turned the destroyer very dangerously on her side. "British fighters eventually appeared on the scene, and the Huns, with their tails between their legs, beat a hasty retreat. We arrived at a south-east coast port after taking five hours for a trip which a destroyer normally does in one hour. "The spirit of the troops was magnificent throughout the crossing, particularly as they had been bombed ever since their entry into Belgium. There were about 30 seriously wounded on board for whom the crossing must have been a nightmare.

"I cannot say too much for the skill of the Navy and the accuracy of their gunners. I shall never forget seeing the white cliffs of Dover and the cheers from the troops when we sighted them.

"My squadron accounted for 40 machines confirmed and 17 unconfirmed in ten days of action. We lost four pilots and eight machines."