AIR MANOEUVRES

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1938, Page 5

AIR MANOEUVRES

“ATTACK” ON CRUISER LEANDER

(Per Press Association —Copyright),

AUCKLAND, December 12

Highly successful exercises were carried out bv members of the Auckland territorial air squadron as JGvM.S. Leander approached Auckland >fter her islands cruise.

One of the new Airspeed > Oxfords left the Hobsonville air base f at 11.30 a.m., and intercepted the Leander about 80 miles from port. Flying at a height of' 10,000 feet, the machine observed the course and speed of the cruiser, and flew back to Hobsonville. From the information given, members of the squadron worked out tlie approximate position of the warship at 3 p.m. Three Blackburn Baffins took off from Hobsonville at 2.55 p.m. on a search for the Leander, which was located near Tiritiri. The cruiser was shadowed until 4 p.m., when a dive bombing attack was carried out off R.nngitoto beacon. Squadron Leader Allan, in command, was the. formation leader, and Flying Officer Fisher and Pilot Officer Robinson flew the other two machines. I’lic observers in all three machines were pilots of the Auckland territorial air squadron. The exercise was directed by Pilot Officer Robertson, adjutant of the squadron.