NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 May 1943, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

BOMB FOR BERLIN.

(N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent)

LONDON, May 17. Plastered . with savings stamps stuck on by a crowd in Trafalgar Square, during the “Wings for Victory” week, a 500 pound bomb Was duly delivered on Berlin recently by a Stirling captained by Pilot Officer I. W. Renner of Gisborne, who was subsequently awarded the D.F.C. and has now completed his first tour operations of thirty raids. In the same aircraft, which they nicknamed “Te Kooti” there were Sergeants .. N. Southern of Taranaki, who was the wireless operator, and 1.. C. McColl of Taihape, who was the bomb aimer. Renner said: “We had been waiting to visit Berlin with the bomb for several days. The bomb had been loaded and unloaded from the aircraft several times, but I refused to part with it, as I regarded it as the most valuable part of our load. Finally, we took off in a gale and had to cross the North Sea low, because of icing conditions. We climbed later and at one time, ice was flying off the propellor blades striking the aircraft with noise like flak, but we got there climbing gradually. After McColl pressed the bomb switch we sang “Maori Battalion.” We saw a burst on a factory and were satisfied that the Victory Bomb had been delivered in the right place.” Southern and McColl also completed their tour. Other New Zealanders from the same squadron, who have finished, include Flight Lieutenant W. Irwin D.F.C. of Dannevirke, and Sergeant P. Devine. Devine who is a gunner, shot down a German night fighter during a raid against Frankfurt.

FURTHER HONOURS WON

WELLINGTON, May 18.

Two awards to New Zealand airmen announced to-day are the Distinguished Service Order to Flight Lieutenant Keith Frederick Thiele D.F.C. of Christchurch, and the bar to the D.F.C. to Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Hugh MacFarlane R.A.F. of Leithfield, Canterbury. The citation accompanying the award to Thiele states he has always shown conspicuous keenness and resolution during operations. Most of his attacks have been against distant well defended targets. During one of these, his rear gunner lost consciousness through lack of oxygen, but although two members of the crew were attending him, Thiele continued the mission, then returned at low level for the recovery of the gunner. On another flight the port engine caught fire, but was put out and the flight continued. By his outstanding courage, confidence and devotion to duty Thiele has won the admiration of all. Thiele was born at Christchurch in 1921. Educated at Waltham and Christchurch Boys’ High School, he was a reporter of the Christchurch “Star” before enlisting in 1940. He was awarded the D.F.C. in August last year. His father is F. C. Thiele of Sydenham. MacFarlane was born at Christchurch in 1916, educated at Christ’s College and Lincoln college, and enlisted in the R.A.F. in 1939. He was awarded the D.F.C. in February, 1941. He is married. His father is A. TI. MacFarlane, Leithfield.

ATTACKS ON CONVOYS.

WELLINGTON. May 19

The Distinguished Flying Cross. has been awarded to Acting-Flight. Lieutenant James Stewart Frame of Wellington, and Pilot Officer John Henry Low. of Timaru. The citation states that I' rame has completed 52 sorties, including successful shipping reconnaissances. Last October he enabled his formation to make a successful attack on an enemy convoy. In February of this year he located four separate convoys which he shadowed, in spite of fierce opposition, until attacking aircraft arrived. Last montn, in the Trapani-Palermo area, he located a convoy of four merchant ships with an escort of six destroyers 3nd five olher vessels, and shadowed it until it was successfully attacked. Frame has shown great skill and courage anil has performed valuable service. Frame was born at Mosgicl in 191 G and was educated at the Hutt Valley High School and the Technical College. He went overseas in 1941. His wife is Mrs. A. L. Frame, of Wa--11 Iffie citation in regard to Pilot Officer Low states that he has taken part in nany sorties, some of them from Malta, as wireless operator and air gunner. He was in a formation which attacked a convoy located by Graine. Three Italian fighters attack.'(i his aircraft, but he foiled the attackers with skilful lire and enabled his pilot to make a successlul attack on one of the merchant vessels. Twice previous®' his good work was ■’i big factor in air successes against convoys. His courage and devotion to duty have been an inspiring ex--11 Low was born at Bluff In 1918 and was educated at Greenhills. He was commissioned in January last.

SPITFIRES AND NEW ZEROS

(N.Z.P.A. Special Australian Correspondent)

SYDNEY, May 18.

Allied night fighters went into, action for the first time in New Guinea when four Japanese bombers raided Port Moresby last Friday night. One bomber was shot down by a night fighter and another destroyed by anti-aircraft fire. The Allied pilot who brought down a bomber was Second Lieutenant B. W. Adams (Illinois). It was his first operation. Adams said: “When I first saw the bombers they were about 2000 feet ahead, and I dived to attack from 1800 feet. One bomber dived and I could still see its silhouette standing against a background of cloud. I followed him down and gave him everything I had. He burst into flames and 1 saw him spinning out of control through the clouds like a flaming torch.”

The Japanese in the South-west Paq.fic are now flying “Japs,” a new type of Zero, with a more powerful engine than its predecessors. This has been, revealed by Australia’s leading fighter ace, Wing Commander Clive Caldwell. “This new enemy fighter is a hotted-up sort of Zero, squarer in the wing tips than the old Zero and more powerful.” He said: “They are good aircraft —but not as good as the Spitfire. The Spitfire is faster and can climb higher.” Caldwell, who has taken part in recent battles between Spitfires and Japanese raiders over Darwin, is in Sydney on leave. He destroyed 24J aircraft, German, Italian and Japanese.

An Australian Beaufightcr pilot is reported to have dived from the clouds to within ten feet of a Japanese submarine cruising on the surface in New Gitnea waters. He rakes the craft, with cannon and machinegun fire, and killed sailors who were manning a deck gun. The submarine crash-dived to avoid further attack.