VICTORY IN THE AIR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 91, 14 October 1943, Page 5

VICTORY IN THE AIR

NEW ZEALAND FIGHTERS

(R.N.Z.A.P. Official News Service.) GUADALCANAL, October 2. Seven Japanese dive-bombers were destroyed and two damaged when a New Zealand fighter squadron intercepted them during an attack on the Vella Lavella area yesterday. All the Dominion pilots returned safely, though one, after shooting down two of the enemy, was attacked by one of the enemy's protecting screen of Zeros and had an exhaust pipe shot from his Warhawk's motor. The successful pilots were Flying Officer M. Davis, Wellington (two destroyed), Flight Lieutenant G. L. Grimsdale, Dunedin (two destroyed), Flying' Officer J. de Willimoff, Tirau (one destroyed), and Pilot Officer A. G. Pierard, Palmerston North (one destroyed) . The officer commanding, Squadron Leader M. J. Herrick, D.F.C., R.A.F., Hawke's Bay, and Flying Officer A. L. Parlane, Hamilton, shared one destroyed, and both the squadron leader and Sergeant E. D. Smark, Warkworth, each scored one damaged. Out on routine patrol, the New Zealanders were in two sections, led by Herrick and Willimoff respectively. Eight Warhawks encountered a formation •of dive-bombers, protected by Zeros high above. While high-flying American aircraft engaged the Zeros, the New Zealanders caught up with the dive-bombers just as they were beginning their dive, and followed them down. The Warhawks rapidly overtook the Japanese, The action was more of a chase than a fight. Several of the dive-bombers burst into flames and others crashed into the sea. As one shot down by Grimsdale hit the water, the rear-gunner. was thrown- out. AMMUNITION RUNS OUT. No accurate count was taken of the total number of dive-bombers engaged, but scarcely one escaped undamaged. Within a few minutes six were in the water and the New Zealanders had exhausted their ammunition. Breaking off their actions with the American top-cover, some of the Zeros dived to attack the Warhawks. The New Zealanders, with no more ammunition, had to run for it, and though they all escaped, Davis had his aircraft shot about and one exhaust pipe blown from the motor. He landed at an intermediate strip and returned to Guadalcanal today. The victory yesterday, the first major action in which the New Zealanders have been engaged in this area for some weeks, brings the Dominion fighter squadron's total bag in the Solomons to 42 enemy aircraft, including fighters, dive-bombers, seaplanes, and medium bombers. The particular squadron engaged is now on its second tour of operations m the area and has a total of 11 confirmed victories to its credit.