ALLIED AIR BLITZ

Grey River Argus, 8 April 1943, Page 5

ALLIED AIR BLITZ

OVER 2000 KILLED In Antwerp City [Aust. & N.Z. Gable Assp.l LONDON, April 6. The Berlin radio announced that according to preliminary figures, the American attack on Antwerp killed 2007 and wounded 603. There are still 130 missing. One hundred houses were destroyed. A Fighter Command plane- bombed one medium and one small ship 10 .niles north of Dieppe. The obac.versaw bombs go down on the target, and it is estimated the leading ship was hit by more than one bomb. There was a large flash and sparks followed in about' three- minutes by flames. The German radio denied that there had been clashes between conscripted workers and regular workers at Essen, following the big raid by the Royal Air Force on Saturday, when 900 tons of bombs were dropped on the city. Typhoons, last night damaged two of four E-boats sighted near Le TouqueL Our ,'fighters destroyed an enemy; aircraft off the north-east, coast of England to-day. 311 KILLED AT BILLANCOURT, LONDON, April 7. The Berlin radio says that three hundred and eleven people were killed in the American raid on Billancourt, Paris, on Sunday last. Reports received in Stockholm, from Germany, state it is estimated 300,000 people, mainly women and children and men unable to work were evacuated from Essen before the last British raid. Luftwaffe Blows TO BE “MORE TERRIBLE.” (Rec. 11.50.) LONDON, April 7. The German High Command spokesman, referring to the Antwerp and Renault raids, said: “The hour will come when the Luftwaffe will strike back blows more terrible than ever. ENGLISH TOWN BOMBED. . ON SOUTHERN COASTS. (Rec. 1.20.) LONDON, April 7. Six fighter-bombers made a hit and run raid upon a south-coast English town in daylight to-dav (Wednesday). It is believed that one was shot down. Its bombs dropped damaged a number of buildings. The other raiders bombed a southeast coast town shortly after daybreak. ENEMY WATERS MINED. LONDON .April ?. The Air Ministry in a communique reports that Bomber Command plai es mined enemy waters on Tuesdaynight. Two are missing. West Coast Airman TO COMMAND FIGHTER SQUADRON. "LONDON, April 6A distinguished New Zealander has been appointed to command the Second New Zealand Fighter Squadron, which is engaged in patrol work off the south coast of England. He is 24-year-old' Squadron Leader Desmond J., Scott, D.F.C. and Bar. He is regarded so highly by the Fighter Command that he rose from sergeant to Squadron Leader in nine) months. Scott shot down at least five enemy planes while flying longrange Hurricanes on night intruder patrols. He used to wait over German aerodromes in enemy-occupied territory and swoop down on landing aircraft. He also carried out attacks against shipping, flying four-gun Hurricanes.

He was awarded the D.F.C. on May 1 last, the citation stating that he 'had displayed great skill and keenness, his exceptional devotion to dutj( being an admirable example He was awarded the Bar to the D.F.G. last September. Scott succeeds Squadron Leader C. L. C. Roberts, an Englishman who had led the squadron since its formation. The squadron's- score is now twelve and a-halL “Scotty,” as ho is known generally, is determined to improve that total.

N.Z. Pilot’s Record THIRD AIR VICTORY IN TEN DAYS. (Official N.Z.E.F Correspondent) LONDON, April 6. Squadron Leader G. R. Gray, D.F.C. and Bar, of Gisborne—one of the many New Zealanders flying Spitfires over Tunisia —shot down a Messerschmitt 109' on Saturday making his .third victory in the last ten davs.. Squadron Leader Gray’s score now totals twenty and, a half. “I saw two Messerschmitts above me and thought I had no chance to get at them, but one of them went into a turn and I had him,” he said. “I let him have my cannons and machine-gun, and he went down in flames.” . ~ , One of Squadron Leader’ Grays Flight Commanders, a Flight . Lieut, from Golder’s Green London, also shot down one Messerschmitt. New Zealand Stirling- VenturaSpitflre Squadrons are taking full part in the Allied round-the-clock offensive in the past 72 hours. The Stirling Squadron bombed Kiel, which is the main base of the German fleet. The pilots met bad weather with cloud and some icing but all returned safely. The Venturas again visited Rotterdam docks, where hits were observed in the target area. They were protected by fighters, three Focke Wulfs being shot down. Two Spitfires are missing. All the New Zealanders returned without loss. A ,New Zealander Spitfire, Squadron accompanied the American Flying Fortresses and Liberators on the big raid the Erla aero engine works at Antwerp. They too returned without loss. This is all part of what is being claimed as the greatest air offensive in history, fitting in with the big raids oh Naples from North Africa. It is a dual offensive striking at the very heart of the Axis, —home bases and production centres.

Flying Officer R. Blyth (Wanganui),' Sergeant M. F. Dillon (Cambridge) ,and Sergeant K. Campbell (Wellington) were members of the crew of a Wellington bomber which carried out three raids in four nights recently. They bombed Duisburg, St. Nazaire-, and Borkum. Flying Officer Blyth, who has now carried out 15 raids said; “There was nothing unusual about them. There were certainly good fires going at St. Nazaire.” He arid his crew were in one of the, big raids against Essen, which is among the “hottest” targets throughout Germany. He said: “There was no mistaking the target. We went in weaving, dropped our bombs and made off for home quick and lively.” On the same station is an Australian squadron in which are serving Flying Officers A. A. Mficrarla'ne (North Canterbury), and J. .B. Smith (Wellington), and Flight

Sergeant L. B. Reynolds (Waipukurau). Squadron Leader C. W. Scott, A.F.C. (Balclutha), has been promoted to wing commander. He carried out his tour of operations with the 75th Squadron and is now commanding a training station. Sub-Lieutenant R. M. Anderson. Fleet Air Arm, who belongs to Christchurch, was landed as a survivor at Gibraltar while proceeding to North Africa. The British Air Ministry has'agreed to make the Australian squadron in Britain fully Australian, in fact a's well as in name. Subject to operational exigencies, it will concentrate Australians in - complete air crews and squadrons as soon as possible. The Air Ministry’s decision follows representations by the Australian Minister for Air (Mr. Dra'Keford). Previously some Australian squadrons in Britain were composed of airmen from all parts of the Empire, while many Australians were serving in R.A.F. squadrons.