16 JAP. PLANES

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1943, Page 5

16 JAP. PLANES

DOWNED BY N.Z. AIRMEN In South-west Pacific [Per Press Association] WELLINGTON. June 21. Two New Zealand Air Force squadrons that have been operating against the Japanese in the Russell island and Guadalcanal’ areas have now a score totalling sixteen aircraft definitely destroyed, and one probably destroyed, These results were obtained on four days, the tally having begun about three weeks ago, when a Japanese floatplane was destroyed. A week later four Zeros fell to R.N.Z.A.F. fighters. Five days later another six aircraft were bagged, and on Wednesday last the score was raised to sixteen, when the New Zealand! fighter pilots accounted for a further five.

In all of these operations only one aircraft has been, reported missing. The list of successful pilots and their scores is as follows:— Flight Lieutenant J. A. Oldfield (formerly of Wellington) three; Squadron Leader M. J. Herrick, of Hastings, two: Flight Lieutenant E. H. Brown, of Hamilton, two; Flying Officer M. R. Clarke, of Wanganui, two; Flying Officer G. B. Fisken, of Martinborough, two; Flying Officer C. T. Guild, of Temuka, one; Flying Officer A. G. Stanley, of Frankton Juneten. one; Flight Lieutenant D. A. Greig, of Auckland, one; Flight Lieutenant S. R. Duncan, of Nelson, one; Serseant'R. A. Martin, of Tepuke, one.

Two weeks ago twelve pilots of an R.N.Z.A.F. Kittyhawk squadron were sent to supplement aircraft of the United States Army Air Force, which were assigned to intercept fifty Zeros over Russell Island. In an ensuing engagement four Zeros were definitely destroyed, and one probably destroyed. The successful pilots were Squadron Leader Herrick, the Squadron commander; ’Flight Lieutenant Greig; Flight Lieutenant Duncan and Sergeant Martin, each of whom destroyed one enemy plane.

In this action, Squadron Leader Herrick pursued his Zero for 120 miles before finally lining it up in his sights, and destroying it. After this encounter Squadron Leader Herrick was attacked by another Zero over Russell Island, but the attacker was driven off by l an American, flying a Corsair plane. In giving this assistance, however, his Corsair was 'badly damaged, and he was obliged to bale out. As he parachuted down, Japanese pilots unsuccessfully attempted to strafe him. That they were unsuccessful was due only to the intervention of Squadron Leader Herrick, who' thus repaid the Corsair pilot for his earlier assistance in driving off the Zero, even though the Kittyhawk, at this stage, had no guns operating. Squadron Leader Herrick - landed with a twenty millimetre cannon hole in the wing of his aircraft, and six other holes, caused by Japanese 7.7 cannon-shells. His only remark was “a bloody good show!" A week a°n last Saturday saw another R.N.Z.A.F. fighter squadron, under the command of Squadron Leader S. T. Quill, make its debut with a,' liberal sprinkling of Japanese blood. Seven New Zealanders set off to intercept a Japanese aerial force, six aircraft of which were destroyed. These were accounted for bv’Fisken and Brown (two each), Stanley and Oldfield (one each). Last Wednesday saw R.N.Z.A.r. fighters in action again when eight New Zealand Kittyhawks joined United States forces in breaking: up the force of 120 Japanese and dive-bombers over Guadalcanal*. ine New Zealanders accounted for another five Zeros, bringing their total for four days operations to sixteen aetuiitelv destroyed, and one probable. They thus had a worthwhile share .in the total destruction of ninety-four aircraft, bv Allied air forces participating in the clash. The successful pilots were Oldfield and Clarke (two each), and Guild (one), bringing Oldfield’s personal score to three definitely destroyed.