DOMINION AIRMEN

Evening Star, Issue 24329, 19 October 1942, Page 4

DOMINION AIRMEN

MEMBERS OF FAMOUS SQUADRON LONDON, October 17. Five New Zealanders flying and fighting, together from a famous 'K. A. I‘. aerodrome near London are .Squadionleader J. G. C. Kilian (Christchurch), Flight-lieutenant L. P. Griffith, D.F.C. (Levin), Pilot-officer D. A. Piggott (Auckland), Sergeant Pilots . N\ . Poet (Daiinovirke), ami F. F- Livesey (Christchurch). . Squadron-leader Ivrlian.an old Christ s College boy, commands a squadron which is flying one of the latest types of fighter aircraft. He has been in the United Kingdom for about a year, m which he has achieved his present rank He was playing cards with the rest of the bovs on “ readiness ” when seen. He has" a lively, busy squadron in which Britons, New Zealanders, and Canadians are teaming splendidly. Squadronloitder Kilian is one of the quietest men on the station, but officially he is credited with one yhnio destroyed ond one probable,* and he also shared in the destruction of a second. Flight-lieutenant Griffith, who is at present undergoing, specialised gunnery instruction from Wing-commander A. G. Malan, the iR.A.F.’s top-scorer with 35 enemy planes, has two probables and four damaged to his credit, the others are shaping well.

FLOOD DAMAGE IN U.S.A. WASHINGTON, October 17. The Potomac flood is slowly receding after reaching a record level, inundating several low-lying sections of the capital and causing many millions of dollars worth of damage, in Maryland and Virginia the damage has even exceeded the flood disaster of 1936. At least 15 persons have been drowned.

AMERICAN " SWIMMANDOS "

XHW YOU K, October 17. The iirniy is developing a new raiding unit, “ .swimmandos,” which arc trained to swim rivers and raid enemy shore installations, knife the sentries, and establish bridgeheads for full-scale attacks. The “ swimmandos ” wear shorts, with knives in their belts, and carry rifles on their backs and tommy guns and ammunition on tiny rafts.

DUTCH HOSTAGES SHOT

LONDON, October IS

Fifteen Dutchmen from The Hague, who were taken as hostages,-have been shot for the recent sabotage. Du tollmen living in Zeeland province and the greater part of north Holland in the neighbourhood of coastal fortifications have been ordered to evacuate their homes. The Danish authorities have banned certain coastal areas for fishing and anchoring.