FIVE N.Z. SQUADRONS

Grey River Argus, 5 July 1944, Page 6

FIVE N.Z. SQUADRONS

AIR VICE-MARSHAL ISiTT’S

(Special to N.Z. Press Assn). LONDON, July 3.

Visits to five New Zealand Squadrons in Britain have been paid by Air Vice-Marshal L. M. Isitt; accompanied by Ail’ Commodore E. G. Olson, D.S.O. They learned at first hand of the New Zetland Tempest Squadron, patrolling and hunting flying hcmbs. and saw a sco:.eboard •which shows that practically every member of the squadron has shot down at least one bomb. From the Mosquito Bomber Squadron they heard that New Zealanders have been attacking communications behind the German lines in France ever since D Day, and from the Mosquito Night Fighter Squadron learned that it had shot down nine more enemies over France since the invasion started, bringing the squadron’s total score to 29. From the New Zealand Lancaster Squadron they heard a first-hand account of its attacking flying bomb bases, while the New' Zealand Beaufighter Torpedo Bomber Squadron told of their attacks made against E-boats and shipping off the Dutch eoast. They had hoped to see the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron, but it was on patrol over the battle area. While visiting the Tempest Squadron, Air Vice-Marshal Isitt and Air Commodore Olson heai d a flying bomb tumble overhead above the clouds, it being chased by lighters. Little can be said concerning the squadrons’ activities, due to security reasons, but they learned that the top scorers are Flying Officer R. J. Cammock (Christchurch), Flight Sergeant D. Eagleson (Auckland), Flight Lieutenant J. Mcaw (Kurow), Flying Officer W. Miller. (Invercargill), Pilot Officer E. McCarthy (address unstated), and R. . Danzey (Auckland). The Tempest Squadron received congratulations from Air Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh Mallory and Sir Roderick Hill. While flying on to see the New Zealand Mosquito Bomber Squadron Air Vice-Marshal Isitt and Air Commodore Olson saw several craters in the countryside caused by flying bombs. This Mosquito squadron had bombed communications at Villers Bocage the previous night, and the air crews were just leaving their tents after getting ud when Air Marshal Isitt arrived. He chatted with i them informally, some still in singlets and others with shaving soap still on their faces, and learned that their targets included important junctions at Dreux, Chartres, Domfont and Versailles. They that they had met surprisingly little flak on any operations. In addition, the Bombing Squadron also shoots up any lights they can see behind the German lines, making the enemy “keep down his head.” One pilot said: “It is dangerous even for a German to light a match outdoors these nights.” At the Mosquito Night Fighter Squadron Air Vice-Marshal Isitt learned that Flight Lieutenants G. E. Jameson, D.F.C., and Peter Hall (Gisborne) had shot down two enemy planes each, anl that Flying Officer D. N. Robinson (Gisborne) and Pilot Officer O. J. McCabe (Whangarei) had shot down one each since D Day, the other three being secured by an English Flight Commander and a Dutchman.

Jameson' first got a Junkers 8.8. His next was a Messerschmitt 410, which he shot down at eight thousand feet. Hall shot down two Junker;?. ’SB’s, one of which blew up with such force that he had to return on one engine, the other being damaged by debris. McCabe, who got a Junkers despite return fire from the bomber, gave it a burst and set it on fire,, but he decided that it was not burning sufficiently well, so he returned and gave it another burst. Robinson shot down a Fockewulf 190. The Squadron has operated. in all weathers over France and Normandy since D Day.