STIFF BATTLES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21150, 19 July 1943, Page 4

STIFF BATTLES

N.Z. SPITFIRE PILOTS CLASHES OVER FRANCE GISBORNE MEN IN UNIT (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Corresiximlent.) (10.30 a.m.) LONDON. July 18. The New Zealand Spitfire squadron opened its account for "Biggin Hill station. It shot clown two FoekoW'ulf 190’s while escorting bombers which were raiding Poix. 'I hey were got by the commanding officer, Squadron Leader John Chccketts, of Invercargill, and Flying Officer J. Rue, D.F.C., of Auckland, who probably destroyed another. Pilot. Officer H. 8 Tucker, of Palmerston North, probably destroyed one also. The previous day Wing Commander Alan Deere. D. 5.0., D.F.C., and bar, probably destroyed a Fockc-Wulf and Squadron-Leader Chccketts damaged another. In these engagements several pilots had lights, including Flight-Lieutenant AT. G. Barnett, of Wellington, who is now flight commander, Flight Sergeant F D." Clark, ot Wanganui, and Flight Sergeant L. S. M. White, of Gore. Squadron-Leader Chccketts shot down a Focke-Wulf when about 20 enemy aircraft attacked him. FlightLieutenant Jfl. 11. D. Hume, of Wellington, Hying Officers B. E. Gibbs, of Tailiapc, and M. G. Sutherland, oi Port Chalmers. Flight-Sergeant White and Flight Sergeant Clark were in the fight. Squadron-Leader .Chccketts got on the Fockc-Wulf’s tail and sent it down in flames. He was then attacked by four'enemy planes, which -chased him to 20,000 ft., until a Fighting French squadron, which Hies in the same wing as the New Zealanders, arrived. This brings Squadron-Leader Checkett's score to four destroyed. Meanwhile, Flying Officer 11,ae, with Flight Lieutenant Barnett and Pilot Officer Tucker, were surrounded by Focke-Wulfs. Dog-fighting developed. Then Flying Officer Rac dived down from 20,000 ft. to 12.000 ft. after a solitary Fockc-Wulf, which lie finished oil,’. This was Flying Officer Rae's first fight since returning from Malta. His score is now seven and a hall destroyed. Stiff Opposition Met

The previous day, when the, squadron was escorting Flying Fortresses back from a raid on Villacottblay, they ran into strong opposition, Wing Commander Deere having one of his stiffest fights for some time. Ho was with Flight Sergeant Clark coming out over the coast when two. FockeWulfs came up behind them. WingCommander Deere did a tight turning dive and the Germans cleverly made a head-on attack and then shot past below Wing-Commander Deere, who got on his tail and fired bursts. He saw the Focke-Wulf making for the French coast streaming smoke, but it was nol seen to crash. Flight Sergeant Clark also had a stiff light. Meanwhile, Squadron-Leader Checketts’ section, with Flight Lieutenant Barnett and Flying Officer M. Metcalf, of Wellington, attacked six enemy planes. Squadron-Leader Checketts damaging one before nine more Focke-Wulfs arrived and made determined attacks all the way to the coast. The squadron’s score is now 43 destroyed. II has settled down well in its new role and Squadron-Leader Checketts .has led the wing twice while Wing-Com-mander Deere was carrying out the duties of station commander during Wing-Commander Malan’s absence on leave.

The New Zealanders in the Spitfire squadron in addition to those mentioned are Flight-Lieutenant K. C. Lee, of Auckland, Flying Officers O. A. Ainge, of Dunedin, D. G. E. Brown. P. H. Gaskin, of Auckland, J. G. Dasent, of Hastings, I. J. McNeil, of Tikitiki, and I. P. Maskill, of Invercargill, Pilot-Officers D. A. Roberts, of Ne\v Plymouth, and J. G. Houlton. of Christchurch. Warrant-Officer E. N Leech, of Gisborne, Flight-Sergeants N. E. Frehner, of Gisborne, C. MeInnes, of Auckland, D. C. Robins, of Wanganui, R. I. Transom, of Taihape; Sergeants G. C. Cooper, of Mosgiel, and W. T. Strachan, of Christchurch. The New Zealanders express _ the opinion that the German lighter pilots have recently been showing more aggressiveness than for some time.