FEATS OF ENDURANCE

Evening Star, Issue 23501, 15 February 1940, Page 11

FEATS OF ENDURANCE

BRITISH RECQNNAISSANGE FLIGHTS MANY DISCOMFORTS AND DANGERS ENCOUNTERED VALUABLE INFORMATION OBTAINED (British Official Wireless.) , RUGBY, February 14. (Received February 15, at 11 a.m.) The difficulties, discomforts, and dangers which face the crews of 11.A.F. aircraft who have taken aerial photographs of Germany, now being published, are revealed in records kept by the personnel engaged in these flights. Since the outbreak of war 11.A.F. reconnaissance machines have visited key points in all parts of the Reich, as well as German islands. The weather plays a foremost part in the difficulties. On a single flight one aircraft encountered first lightning and then a snowstorm. At 20,000 feet ice formed on the airscrews. The pilot took off his glove for a moment to adjust the controls and was frostbitten. Ice formed in masses on the wings of one aircraft at 1,000 feet while on its way to Munich. Ice completely covered the front windows of the cabin, and there was an extensive ice formation on the main wings, while ice could be heard coming off the blades of the airscrews and striking the sides of the nose of the aircraft. Continuous movement of the controls was advisable to prevent them freezing up. Some members of the crew were in such pain from frostbite that they thumped their hands on the floor and the navigation table.

It is in such conditions that R.A.F. airmen collect information and photograph towns, fortresses, transport routes, naval and other harbours, and record landmarks, all of which will be of great value when the time comes for British planes to make their way to allotted objectives. At night enemy* opposition to the R.A.F. over Germany has been in some ways ineffective. Their fighter aircraft, for instance, repeatedly failed to intercept <our night reconnaissance aircraft, but on occasions fire from enemy antiaircraft guns working in close co-opera-tion with many searchlights forced us to take evasive action. Anti-aircraft gunfire, however, varies in accuracy. The pilot of an aircraft that flew over Berlin reported that the defence organisation there must have been badly shaken.. Not a shot reached home, although it was obvious that every available gun had been brought to bear. For most part the projectiles used in this case seemed to be experimental. Among the familiar ones generally used by the enemy are “ Flaming Onions ” —a string of balls of fire shot into the air in the presumed course of the aircraft in the hope of setting it on fire. There is also what the pilot described as “ incendiary shells.” When they explode these shells discharge large red balls of fire that can be seen the whole way up. They eventually disappear without bursting. Day reconnaissance is a very different matter. Though it is handicapped by adverse weather it is exposed to an enemy that can see. Every photograph and information brought back is the witness of many feats of endurance, patience, and skill. WARM REGEPTEOH 10HE RAIDER DRIVEN OFF ESCAPES IN GATHERING DARKNESS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 13, The Air Ministry makes the following announcement: — “ Three R.A.F, fighter command pilots dived 14,000 ft in pursuit of a Heinkel raider off the mouth of the Thames Estuary on Tuesday evening. Daylight was already fading when the British pilots in Spitfires sighted the raider thousands of feet above them. He immediately began a long, twisting dive towards a patch of cloud far behind. The Spitfires followed, firing in turn as they dived. As fast as the raider eluded the fire of one, another was ready to take up the attack. 'Although visibility was very poor throughout the action, several bursts of fire took effect. When last seen the enemy was heading eastwards into the clouds and darkness.” BELIEVED BROUGHT DOWN LONDON, February 14. (Received February 15, at 11.5 a.m.) The three fighter pilots believe that they brought down the Thames raider. They said bullets struck the Heinkel and the rear gunner was probably hit, as be ceased firing. The undercarriage was half lowered as the plane attempted to fly into the clouds to the east. NEUTRALITY' PATROLS INSPECTION BY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT NEW YORK, February 14. (Received February 15, at 8 a.m.)

The United Press Association says President Roosevelt is joining the oruisor Tusealousa- in unprecedented secrecy, which indicates that he is extending his trip to inspect neutrality patrol vessels.