N.Z. SQUADRON

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1943, Page 2

N.Z. SQUADRON

NOW EQUIPPED WITH TYPHOONS. LONDON. May 10. The Air Ministry now permits it to be stated that the Second New Zealand Fighter Squadron is equipped with Typhoons, on e of the fastest and heaviest-armed single-engin-ed fighters in the world. It was designed by Sydney Camm, designer of the Hurricane. It is powered by a Napier Sabre 24-cylinder, 2,400 horse power engine, which is liquid cooled. The Typhoon’s speed is 400 miles an hour and it is heavily armed, carrying four cannons.

This was th e Squadron which first flew Hurricanes as night fighters and after being equipped with Typhoons shot down seven Germans in the week preceding Christmas. Squadron Leader Desmond J. Scott, D.F.C. and Bar„ was recently appointed Commanding Officer. The squadron has built up an excellent reputation. It has now shot down 161 Germans- — two more were recently added by Pilot Officers F. Murphy, of Wellington. and A. H. Smith, of Auckland—and it has carried out many attacks against German shipping in the English Channel, including no fewer than 17 last month. The majority of its Germans were shot down while they were “tip and run” raiding on souti. coast towns, but the two Messerschmitt 109’s shot down by Murphy and Smith are believed to have been on reconnaissance. They chased the Germans for 20 miles almost at sea level. Murphy’s reflector sight went out after he fired his first burst but he was flying so low that he continued firing and judged his aim by following the tracks of the bullets on the water. The Messerschmitt started to stream glycol. Murphy used up all his ammunition and eventually the German burst into flames and went into the sea. Smith mac * a shorter work of his Messerschxnit there being no complications. Ims was Murphy’s fourth victory for the Squadron (he now leads the Squadron’s scoreboard), and Smith’s first. Squadron Leader Scott recently led the Squadron in an attack against a 4000-ton freighter and two flack ships in Le Havre harbour; The others participating were Lieutenants A. E. Umbers, and H N. Sweetman. Flying Officer J. H. Mccaw, Pilot Officers Smith, R. J- Da fi’ C N Gall, Flight Sergeants, W. B. Tyerman. M. O. Jorgensen, D. Bennett N. E. Preston, and Sergeant R. H. Fitzgibbon. They made several attacks against the freighter causing a lire and a large explosion. Section Officer Margaret Sims, of Christchurch, has the distinction ot being the only New Zealand W.A.A.F. on the station. Newcomers to the Squadron are Flying Officer A. J. Woodgate, Oamaru, flight Sergeants B. C. Thompson Dannevirke, and H. C. Saywell, Hamilton, all of whom were at Sierra Leone for nine months flying Hurricanes and watching the activities of Vichy supporters. Much more is going to be heard 1 of this New Zealand Typhoon Squadron, whose record has already Won praise from Air Vice Marshal H. W. L. Saunders, A.O.C. Number. 11 Group.