BASED IN HOLLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 136, 6 December 1944, Page 5

BASED IN HOLLAND

N.Z. TEMPEST SQUADRON

(Special P.A. Correspondent.) Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 5. Operating from bases in Holland, the New Zealand Tempest squadron is patrolling over the British Army and carrying out offensive sweeps deep into German territory. It is based on an airfield commanded by Group Captain P. G. Jameson, of Lower Hutt. ! Two of the other Tempest squadrons on the same airfield are also commanded by New Zealanders, Squadron Leaders H. N. Sweetman, D.F.C., and R L Spurdle, D.F.C. The New Zealand Tempest squadron, which did so well in the battle of the flyirfg bomb, when it shot down 241 Vis, has shot down 24 enemy aircraft, has probably destroyed two more, and has damaged two others. In addition to shooting down aircraft the squadron has also accounted for motor transport and trains. "I have often complained of the English weather, but I will never com-i plain of it again after what we have had here in Holland/ said one New Zealander. Nobody is now living under canvas, but in huts. Their meals are mostly "compo" rations, but three times weekly they have fresh meat. As the Germans demolished most of the airfield buildings before they left hurriedly, the pilots are using what was formerly a funk-hole of the German ground crews. It is adequate, is protected from blast, and has been made comfortable enough with furniture once used by the Luftwaffe pilots. A German flag is both a trophy and a decorcwion.