RECORD GROWING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20858, 10 August 1942, Page 5

RECORD GROWING

N.Z. SPITFIRE SQUADRON END OF a DORNIER (Special Correspondent.) (2.30 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 7 Although the New Zealand Spitfire squadron has been withdrawn from the front line, they are continuing to take toll of the Germans. The latest addition to their score, was contributed by Pilot Officer Lindsay Black, of Levin, who shot down a Dormer 217. He was complimented by Mr. Nash when the Minister visited the squadron.

Pilot Officer Black and Pilot Officer I. 11. Maskill, of Invercargill, were patrolling for German day raiders when they sighted a Dornier which had just" dropped its bombs. The Dornier immediately made for the cloud cover, so Pilot Officer Black flew into the clouds, chasing him, while Pilot Officer Maskill remained under the cloud base in case the Dornier should be driven out from the cover. But Pilot Officer Maskill had no need to use his cannons, for Pilot Officer Black found .the Dormer, despite the clouds, and put in a long burst. As a result Pilot Officer Maskill saw the enemy come out of the clouds, going down vertically to crash in flames.

This is Pilot Officer Black’s first victory. It brought the squadron’s score up .to 22 definitely destroyed, 18 probably destroyed, and 16 damaged. The squadron has also now shot up and badly damaged 30 railway locomotives in enemy-occupied territory. Mr Nash also met Pilot Officer D. G. E. Brown, of Auckland, who vvas lucky to escape when lone-raiding over France. The tail of his Spitfire was hit by ack-ack fire and badly damaged, but Pilot Officer Brown managed to reach England safely.