DOMINION AIRMEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 216, 10 August 1940, Page 7

DOMINION AIRMEN.

DARING BOMBING FLIGHTS. New Zealanders. who heard Mr Vernon Bartlett's commentary yesterday from London learned something of the way in which our airmen are acquitting themselves in the arduous duties that take them over enemy territory and of the high regard in which they are held at Home. Mr Bartlett said he had visited a squadron stationed in Eastern England and had conversed with New Zealand airmen flying the huge Wellington bombers that had been intended for use in this country. So skilfully were they handled that they almost jostled each other and got in the way of one another when flown in close formation. Then they vanished over the airport and headed for Germany, not returning till dawn ' began to lighten the skies. Then, tired and dishevelled, and deafened by the noise of their engines, the airmen returned to their base, immediately to report for questioning by an intelligence officer and fill in two forms—one on the bombing operations and the other on flying conditions generally. Then they enjoyed a hath and later turned in. ‘The last I saw of some ot them was a group around a radio set tryingto- get their native New Zealand,” said Mr Bartlett. ALL RETURNED. On the night in question all seventeen machines had returned safely, though one bad been lifted yards in the air by the blast of an explosion, and another bad been compelled to drop its load of bombs because ot faulty undergear making a landing with this cargo too hazardous an undertaking-' They had had a bad time with the weather because of clouds. “If you can’t find your target you must not drop your bombs indiscriminately just because it happens to be Germany under your plane sou must bring them back or drop them where tlicy° can do no harm. And those brought back are more valuable than if dropped indiscriminately, declared Mr Bartlett. These cheerful young New Zealanders had done their task well, and had—with the one exception —performed the difficult task or landing their machines with full loads of bombs. , .. . r , “I want to emphasise this tact: They have the strictest possible orders to bring their bombs back again it they can’t find their targets,” added Mr’ Bartlett. The examination of airmen on their return ensured that they had identified their targets, and lie had been really amazed by the demand for accuracy.