SEVEN IN A WEEK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 2, 4 January 1943, Page 4

SEVEN IN A WEEK

N.Z. SQUADRON'S BAG

STORIES OF COMBATS

(By Telograph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) LONDON. January 2. Of nine German aircraft shot down over Britain in the week preceding Christmas, a New Zealand fighter squadron secured seven. The first combats occurred on December 17. when Flight Sergeant F. Murphy. Wellington, and Sergeant K. Cannon-Taylor, Alexandra, shot down two Messerschmitt 109F's. They sighted the Germans three miles from the coast, flying at 0 feet. The Messerschmitts crossed frequently in front of them, and both New Zealanders fired on each German. One plane attempted to climb but dived straight into the sea. The second was hit in both wings. With smoke streaming ifrom the petrol tanks, it let down its flaps and put up its nose, evidently attempting to pancake in the sea, but it burst into flames. The following day Pilot Officer G. G. Thomas, Auckland, flying at 700 feet six miles out to sea, saw a ! Dornier 217 flying at between 400 and 500 feet. Thomas closed in to 400 yards before firing, and then saw his cannon shells striking the fuselage under the starboard wing, from which smoke poured. The Dornier dived toward the sea. The New Zealander followed it till it pulled into clouds at 800 feet, but he fired three quick [bursts before the Dornier disappeared. Subsequently a Walrus reconnaissance plane sighted the wreckage. SNEAK RAIDERS CHASED. On the third day Flight Lieutenant H. N. Sweetman, and Sergeant A. H. Sames, both of Auckland, came on two sneak raiders. They were Focke-Wulf 190's, flying at 0 feet, and they made off in different directions. Sweetman chased one for 45 mhes, ana set fire to the Focke-Wulfs fuselage near the cockpit. The Focke-Wuif climbed vertically toward the clouds, black smoke streaking from the engine. Sweetman circled once, but did not see the enemy. He therefore claimed a "damaged." Meanwhile Sames, after a chase of 25 miles, attacked and saw pieces flying off the enemy plane. He was credited with a definite kill. On December 22, Flying Officer A. E. Umbers. Dunedin. and Sergeant C. N. Gall, Rangiriri. patrolling at 700 feet, sighted a Dornier 217E flying at sea level five miles away, and chased it. The Hun apparently did not see them till they were; getting into position to attack, and .immediately jettisoned a bomb. The New. Zealanders made a series of attacks, resulting in both the enemy's engines taking fire, after which it plunged into the sea and disintegrated. Finally, on Christmas Eve, Thomas and Murphy, flying *at 900 feet, saw two Messerschmitt 109F's a mile and a half away at ground level. The Huns separated, one making off to the south east, followed by Murphy. He chased it for 40 mil<?s closed to 250 yards, and then fired, and. there was a flash of flame and the Messerschmitt blew up ■ ■ ■ Meanwhile, Thomas chased the second southward for 30 miles. When he gave it two bursts from his cannon, he I saw many strikes, and a puff of white smoke, which became a stream, indicating that the glycol tank had been hit. The Hun climbed almost vertically and disappeared into the clouds at 800 feet. Thomas had engine trouble, so returned to his base. Wreckage was later found in that vicinity, so he was credited with a definite kill.