LEAVE IN BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 129, 28 November 1945, Page 6

LEAVE IN BRITAIN

New Zealanders From Italy

Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 27. Although it had been originally intended that United Kingdom leave for New Zealanders in Italy should end in November, it has now been decided that some 1600 men will come to this country during* December and that small parties of approximately 20 weekly will arrive during January and February. It is understood here that three ships will leave Italy during December with some 9000 members cf the N.Z.E.F. bound for New Zealand.

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the flak batteries and the rest to her fighters, against a loss of 34 aircra.t on operations. The ship's guns hred 250 rounds of heavy and 3000 rounds ot lighter ammunition, most of them against kamikaze aircraft, only one of which got through. . The carrier's first strike was when her aircraft attacked the . German battleship Tirpitz, an action in which one of her New Zealand pilots, bubLieutenant (A) W. Percy was awarded the D.S.C, and another, LieutenantCommander (A) R. A. Richardson a mention in dispatches. Richardson, who had displayed considerable gatlantry and dash, was killed in the strike, being last seen diving towards the Tirpitz.

THROUGH OWN FLAK

In January and February,. 1940, she accompanied the other carriers, Indomitable, Illustrious, and Victorious, in' strikes against oil installations in Sumatra, during one of which she was attacked by enemy aircraft tor the first time. Six or.seven attempted to bomb her, all being shot down endamaged, and in the action the squadron commander.. Lieut-Commander Crossland. R.N.V.R., led his Seahres through the ship s own flak to get at the attackers, his gallantry being shortly followed by the award ot the DOn March 26 the Indefatigable began her first operation against the Japanese in support of the southern Hank of the American invasion at Okinawa, and five days later became the first British ship to be hit by a kamikaze bomber. It crashed on the flight deck, causing fires and explosions, and resulting in the death of 14 men and the iniury of 14 others. But for the fact that the flight deck was armoured, damage might have been more serious, but 37 minutes later the ship was flying-on aircraft again. , Weeks of further strikes against -the Sakishimas and Formosa were foifollowed by a return to Sydney to leplenish stores and rest the flying personnel and other members of the crew, and the Indefatigable returned to attack the Japanese homeland in July. Although surrender rumours had been circulating for days there was no relaxation of effort and on the morning of the surrender the normal dawn strike went off to attack-a seaplane base in Tokio Bay. Twelve Zekes which came up to intercept were all shot down or damaged, and toe second strike was ready to fly oft at 11.15 a.m., when the surrender signal v/as received. . , Other New Zealanders who received awards for service in the ship included Acting Lieutenant-Commandei (A) A S. McLeod, who returned with the carrier. He was temporary commander of a squadron during the Sakishima strikes and received the D.b.U. For service in the same operation bubLieutenant (A) L. W Holdaway was mentioned in dispatches Awards so far announced m connection with the operations off the Japanese homeland include two to New Zealanders. a D S.C. to Lieutenant (A) J. ,D. Alexander and a "mention" to Lieutenant (A) S. G. Woodrofl'c.