SKILL AND DARING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 28 November 1941, Page 5

SKILL AND DARING

DOMINION TROOPS IMPORTANT ROLE SUPPORT BY PLANES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (From the Official War Correspondent with the N.Z.E.F.) (Reed. Nov. 27, 9 a.m.) CAIRO, Nov. 20. Confined for the first few days almost entirely to a battle of aircraft and tanks, the Libyan campaign has now settled down to one of lightning infantry thrusts on the part of the Imperial troops. A tank battle is still in progress. New Zealanders are playing a role of the highest importance and when the whole story is unfolded it will be realised how much the audacity and grim determination of the New Zealanders contributed to the victory which everyone, from generals down to the ranks, so confidently await. For the first time in over two years of war British and Imperial troops have met the Germans on equal terms. Parity in the air has been the key to the success of the campaign to date. Once again it has been proved ihat the British pilot is infinitely superior to his German counterpart. In the first three days 74 German planes have been shot down or captured with surprisingly light losses to the Royal Air Force. Although no New Zealand squadron is fighting in Libya there are several New Zealand pilots scattered among the units of the Royal Air Force in action. Until the time the Libyan campaign started five days ago the Germans had been able to dive-bomb the British and Imperial troops without serious opposition. It is a very different story this time. Now it is a story of the “blitzer blitzed.” Tremendous Effect This fact has had a tremendous effect on the trend of events. The Royal Air Force has been “having fun,” as their pilots put it, bombing and machine-gunning enemy transports. They have swooped down on the German landing fields and bombed tanks and troops 'with systematic and relentless effort.

All this has put new heart into the New Zealanders. They smile with satisfaction and metaphorically rub their hands as big flights of bombers, supported by fighters, pass overhead. After the ghastly experience of the New Zealand troops in Greece and Crete, they are secure in the knowledge of air support and in throwing themselves into the fray on this occasion unimpeded by dive-bombing. So far no big bombing attack has been carried out on the New Zealanders by either Germans, or Italians. The position is reversed. The Royal Air Force is doing the bombing. In actions which are to come before this campaign is successfully completed the New Zealand troops will be given the opportunity of again proving, as they did in the last war, that they are among the finest fighters in the wofld. In fact, they are proving it even as I write this. Returning thanks in a small measure for the Royal Air Force support, since the battle opened New Zealand forces have been successful in rescuing an Australian flying officer who made a forced landing and was captured by the Germans. The flying officer landed his aircraft after it had been damaged by enemy fire and was taken prisoner by the Germans heading for Sidi Omar. One German asked the airman the way to Sidi Omar and the pilot misdirected the enemy. As the pilot approached a gap in the wire they were fired on by the New Zealanders and the flying officer, seizing the opportunity, slid out of the German vehicle. As the New Zealanders came up covering him with their rifles he greeted them with "Good morning.”