'SEE JOB THROUGH'

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 7

'SEE JOB THROUGH'

N.Z. PILOTS’ DESIRE FIGHTER SQUADRON MR. FRASER’S TALKS (Elec. Tel. Copyright— United Prc-aa Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 14,'2.40 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 13. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, visited a fighter squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force to-day. lie suggested that some of the men who had been flying almost daily and had won great distinction should leturn to New Zealand to increase the morale of the young men being trained there for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. A flight lieutenant replied to this sugestion in these terms: “All the chaps here want to see this job through.” The squadron includes a man who has been shot down eight times, won the Distinguished Flying Cross and destroyed 20 enemy planes. Mr. Fraser and the New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr. W. J. Jordan, visited the New Zealand fighter squadron at an operational station. Mr. Fraser, seated on blankets and a mattress in the pilot's hut, chatted with “the boys.” The squadron lias shot down five Germans since its formation. Flight Lieutenant E. P. Wells. Cambridge, scored three. Squadron-Leader N. W. B. Knight. Dannevirke, one and PilotOfficer Charles Stewart, Wellington, one. Desire To See Season Out Mr. Fraser told the pilots that their experience would be valuable if they returned to New Zealand. Asked whether he would like to go Squad-ron-Leader Knight said: “Yes. but I would like to see this season out.” While Mr. Fraser was inspecting the Spitfires, Squadron-Leader Alan Deere, D.F.C., Wanganui, who has shot down 17 Germans, landed. Mr. Fraser congratulated him on his narrow escape when Squadron-Leader Deere s fighter was damaged by gunfire over France and was forced to limp across the Channel. Pie was prepared to bale out at any moment but reached his base safety. One piece of shrapnel ,vas stuck so securely in the glycol tank of Squadron-Leader Deere's plane that it prevented the oil from leaking out. Mr. Fraser visited the hospital and saw Sergeant I. J. McNeill, Ruatok;, who was shaken after a forced landing. Mr. Fraser heard that the New /-c:iland squadron members have been engaged in escorting duties for sweeps over France. V.C. Winner Congratulated Arriving at the station a few Hours after their planes had returned from plastering Hanover, Mr. Fraser visited the New Zealand bomber squadron. Among the men he saw was Sergeant J. A. Ward, V.C. Mr. Fraser said: “New Zealand is very proud of you. I congratulate you heartily on your well-deserved honour.” Mr. Fraser was introduced to members of Sergeant Ward's crew, including Sergeant-Gunner Box, D.F.M., of Auckland, and Sergeant-Observer L. A. Lawson, Wellington. The squadron paraded at the hangar and Mr. Fraser walked down the "lines, shaking hands with every man. He talked to the men in ti e sergeant’s mess. His audience included over a dozen holders of the D.F.C. and D.F.M., who had distinguished themselves over Germany.